By Karina Eid, Assistant Arts & Entertainment Editor
September 24, 2024
Whether he’s gliding on a RipStik or speaking at the Democratic National Convention, Jack Schlossberg, the only grandson of former President John F. Kennedy, is crafting his own political persona with a humorous twist.
In July, Schlossberg became Vogue’s political correspondent, just in time for the 2024 presidential race. He creates content for Vogue’s TikTok account and contributes opinion pieces to their website.
In a July 10 article for Vogue, Schlossberg explained that he uses TikTok to be a “silly goose” while also trying “to get the truth out there,” taking inspiration from “great leaders” like his grandfather. He aims to make politics engaging and accessible for younger audiences.
Although he doesn’t use the Kennedy name in his byline, Schlossberg exudes the charisma of his grandfather and bears a strong resemblance to his uncle, John F. Kennedy Jr. His knack for politics shows through his engaging, often humorous, social media videos covering current events and key information about the presidential race between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump.
In recent months, Schlossberg has gained over 830,000 followers on his personal TikTok and Instagram accounts combined. He also produces “Jack Reacts” videos for Vogue’s TikTok, offering viewers a weekly rundown of political happenings. For example, in one video, he shared his view on who won the presidential debate, favoring Harris. In another, he provided quick facts about Tim Walz, Harris’s running mate, just as she announced her vice-presidential pick.
While his personal social media content often leans left and includes comedic jabs at Trump and his running mate JD Vance, his videos for Vogue maintain a more balanced yet approachable tone.
Discussing his family's legacy, Schlossberg told Vogue he wants to contribute in his own way and “make a positive impact today.” His lively approach to politics is energizing young voters, an essential demographic in the election. By using humor and enthusiasm, Schlossberg is reaching an audience that traditional political coverage often misses.
TikTok is an increasingly popular source of news for young people. A Pew Research Center study from July 15 found that nearly 40% of people aged 18-29 use the app regularly. Another Pew study from March 18 showed that 48% of TikTok users in this age group keep up with political issues on the platform.
Young voters aged 18-32 are a crucial group in elections, and Schlossberg’s goal of making a positive impact starts with making politics more accessible to them. In the past month, he visited the University of Pennsylvania, encouraging students to vote and to bring their friends to the polls, according to *The Daily Pennsylvanian*.
Through his videos—some educational, some opinionated—Schlossberg is helping to engage and inform young voters in a way that traditional news may not. His efforts might just be giving young people the tools they need to make informed political decisions and cast their ballots.
“You can make a difference because you have a voice,” Schlossberg said in a Vogue TikTok video on June 28.
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