The Kennedy family, long a symbol of American political legacy, is currently embroiled in internal conflict as Tatiana Schlossberg, granddaughter of President John F. Kennedy, publicly criticizes her cousin, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., now Secretary of Health and Human Services. Schlossberg, aged 35, revealed her diagnosis with acute myeloid leukemia, a rare and aggressive cancer, in a New Yorker essay dated November 23, 2025, the 62nd anniversary of her grandfather's assassination.
Her diagnosis came through routine blood work following the birth of her second child in May 2024, and she subsequently began treatment using CAR-T therapy, a product of extensive government-funded research. In her essay, Schlossberg expresses grave concerns over RFK Jr.'s recent cuts to health funding, specifically the billions slashed from the National Institutes of Health budget, the cessation of crucial grants and clinical trials, and the reduction of nearly half a billion dollars in mRNA vaccine research funding. These cuts, she argues, threaten the very healthcare system on which she and countless others depend, particularly at institutions like Memorial Sloan Kettering, known for leukemia and bone marrow trials.
Amplifying her critique, Schlossberg addresses RFK Jr.'s controversial stance on vaccines, contrasting his quote, “There’s no vaccine that is safe and effective,” with the positive impact of the polio vaccine, which her father likened to "freedom." As an immunocompromised individual, Schlossberg fears for her future ability to receive vaccines, a concern that extends to other vulnerable populations such as cancer survivors, children, and the elderly.
Her essay further condemns RFK Jr.'s opposition to misoprostol, a life-saving drug for her during a postpartum hemorrhage, and one vital to women's health worldwide. Schlossberg's personal struggles also include the interruption of her plans to write a book about the oceans and a poignant reflection on her identity beyond her illness, as a mother and writer.
The New Yorker essay also delves into the political dynamics within the Kennedy family. Schlossberg's mother, Caroline Kennedy, actively lobbied the Senate to prevent RFK Jr.'s confirmation, while her brother publicly opposed his "lies for months." She connects RFK Jr.'s ascension to his endorsement of President Donald Trump, who, after RFK Jr. suspended his own campaign, promised him free rein over health policy.
Schlossberg’s narrative intertwines her personal health battle with a broader critique of RFK Jr.'s leadership, portraying him as a threat to the integrity of American healthcare. The essay underscores the tension between her advocacy for continued medical research and her cousin's policy decisions, illustrating the stakes of political decisions on individual lives.
