'Kamala Harris Believes in America Like My Grandfather Did': John F Kennedy's Grandson Speaks at DNC

Jack Schlossberg, the 31-year-old grandson of former US President John F. Kennedy, addressed the Democratic National Convention on Tuesday night, drawing a parallel between Vice President Kamala Harris and his grandfather. Schlossberg has steadily become a prominent figure within the Democratic Party, mirroring his family’s longstanding political engagement.

Addressing the convention, Schlossberg, who is serving as a Democratic delegate for New York, said, “Like President Kennedy, Vice President Harris has dedicated her life to public service. She believes in America like my grandfather did — that we do things not because they’re easy, but because they’re hard,” he said while referring to Kennedy’s iconic 1962 speech on the American space effort.

Schlossberg emphasised that the ideals his grandfather championed are still relevant and reflected in current leaders. “The torch has been passed to a new generation of leader who shares my grandfather’s energy, vision and optimism for our future—that leader is Vice President Kamala Harris,” Schlossberg said, calling Kennedy his “hero.”

In recent weeks, Schlossberg has been active in the political sphere, engaging with the public through various platforms. His presence at the 2024 Democratic National Convention in Chicago, running from August 19-22, has been notable. On Instagram, he shared his excitement about the event with a post: “EXCELSIOR !!! DNCLFG !!! VOTEBLUE !!! An honor to be here, INSANE to meet my HEROES IRL !!!! Just gonna keep being myself what do you guys think?”

The post featured a series of photos showcasing Schlossberg with prominent politicians, including U.S. Representative Nancy Pelosi, New York Governor Kathy Hochul, and Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro.

Schlossberg, a Yale University graduate with a degree in history focusing on Japanese studies, pursued further education at Harvard Law School and Harvard Business School.

Former US President Barack Obama will deliver the keynote address on the second day of the convention, capping off Tuesday’s events after speeches by former First Lady Michelle Obama and Second Gentleman Douglas Emhoff.