Kennedy Heir Condemns Ryan Murphy's JFK Jr. Drama as 'Grotesque' Fiction
Jack Schlossberg, the nephew of the late John F. Kennedy Jr., has unleashed a furious tirade against Ryan Murphy's new FX anthology series, Love Story, which dramatises the whirlwind life and tragic death of his uncle. The show, which premiered last month, follows the romance between JFK Jr. and his wife Carolyn Bessette, depicting their marriage's highs and lows until their fatal plane crash in 1999.
Schlossberg's Scathing Critique on National Television
During a recent appearance on CBS Sunday Morning, Schlossberg, who is running as a Democratic candidate in New York's 12th congressional district for the 2026 U.S. House of Representatives election, branded the series a 'grotesque display of someone else's life'. He emphasised that executive producer Ryan Murphy, 60, knows 'nothing about' the Kennedy family and urged viewers to remember the show is fiction, not a documentary.
'If you want to know someone who's never met anyone in my family, knows nothing about us, talk to Ryan Murphy,' Schlossberg stated. 'I want people who watch it to watch it with one letter in mind and that's a capital F, for fiction. The guy knows nothing about what he's talking about, and he's making a ton of money on a grotesque display of someone else's life... This is not a documentary.'
Financial and Ethical Concerns Raised
Schlossberg also criticised Murphy for not donating any of the 'millions of dollars of profits' from the show to causes championed by JFK Jr. during his lifetime. He suggested that profits could support the JFK Library to preserve President Kennedy's memory, but accused Murphy of prioritising financial gain over ethical responsibility.
Furthermore, Schlossberg linked his critique to broader political issues, claiming that former President Donald Trump has used his grandfather, John F. Kennedy, as a 'human punching bag' in recent years. He challenged Murphy to 'try to do something about getting Trump out of power' if he genuinely cares about the Kennedy family, citing concerns over misinformation and the misuse of Kennedy iconography.
Background and Previous Objections
Schlossberg, 33, is the son of Caroline Kennedy, the only surviving child of President JFK and First Lady Jackie Kennedy Onassis, and her husband, artist Edwin Schlossberg. He has publicly denounced Love Story before, writing in an Instagram post in June 2025 that his family was 'never consulted' during the series' production. He highlighted legal limitations, noting that in New York, the right to privacy does not survive death, and JFK Jr. is considered a public figure, limiting recourse.
'For the record, I think admiration for my uncle John is great,' Schlossberg wrote. 'What I don't think is great is profiting off of it in a grotesque way.'
Defence from the Production Team
In response, executive producer Brad Simpson defended the series to The Hollywood Reporter, stating that the creators considered their 'ethical obligation' to the family and approached the show with 'love and kindness'. He expressed hope that viewers would recognise the sincerity and celebratory intent behind the portrayal of Carolyn Bessette and JFK Jr., encouraging sceptics to watch the series before judging.
'What I hope is that when people watch the show, they will see our sincerity. They will see that we've approached this with love, and that we were trying to celebrate the life of Carolyn Bessette and JFK Jr,' Simpson explained. 'I can understand why somebody could have a reaction before they see it. But, I would say, "watch the show," because I think they're going to be surprised at how sincere it is.'
Social Media Exchanges and Ongoing Tensions
Schlossberg previously commented on an Instagram post by Murphy last year, giving fans a first look at the series, where he wrote: 'HEY RYAN - admiration for John is great but maybe consider DONATING PROFITS TO THE KENNEDY LIBRARY thanks.' Murphy responded, 'I absolutely will,' though it remains unclear if any donations have been made. The series stars Sarah Pidgeon as Bessette, Paul Anthony Kelly as JFK Jr., Grace Gummer as Caroline Kennedy, and Naomi Watts as Jackie Kennedy.
This controversy underscores ongoing tensions between Hollywood dramatisations and the families of public figures, with Schlossberg's vocal opposition highlighting concerns over privacy, profit, and factual accuracy in biographical storytelling.
