Kennedy Grandson Details Far-Fetched Scenarios for Trump to Earn Family's Prestigious Award
Jack Schlossberg, a Democratic congressional candidate and grandson of the late President John F. Kennedy, has outlined several highly improbable ways that former President Donald Trump could potentially receive the Profile in Courage Award, an honor established by the Kennedy family. Schlossberg, who is seeking to replace retiring Representative Jerry Nadler in New York's crowded House race, made these remarks during a recent appearance on MS NOW.
The Hypothetical Criteria for Consideration
When asked by host Jackie Alemany about whether anything could ever warrant Trump receiving the award, Schlossberg—who serves on the award committee and is a vocal Trump critic—laid out specific conditions. The award recognizes officials whose actions demonstrate politically courageous leadership in the spirit of President Kennedy's book "Profiles in Courage," according to the JFK Library's website.
"If President Trump admitted to the many crimes and the grift that he has committed while president in office, stepped down and handed over the power of the presidency to somebody responsible and not somebody in his own cabinet," Schlossberg began. The 33-year-old Democrat continued, "If he came forward with all the true reasons behind his pick for RFK Jr. as Secretary of Health and Human Services and who is paying for the words that are coming out of RFK Jr.'s mouth, then maybe that would be some kind of courage that we would consider."
He concluded bluntly, "But, to be honest, I don't think he's in the running anytime soon."
Historical Context of the Award and Recent Recipients
The Profile in Courage Award has notably gone to several Republicans who have opposed Donald Trump in recent years. Previous recipients include:
- Former Senator Mitt Romney of Utah
- Former Representative Liz Cheney of Wyoming
- Former Vice President Mike Pence, who was recognized specifically for ensuring the constitutional transfer of power on January 6, 2021
This year's recipients were Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, honored for withstanding personal attacks from the highest levels of government, and the people of the Twin Cities, Minnesota, who protested Trump's immigration policies.
Schlossberg's Ongoing Criticism of RFK Jr. and Measles Outbreak
Schlossberg's comments add to his history of criticizing his cousin, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., and his leadership at the Department of Health and Human Services. Last year, he publicly asked Kennedy's wife, actress Cheryl Hines, if she could apologize to the family of a child who died from measles.
This reference pointed to a measles outbreak in Texas at the time. Under Kennedy's tenure, measles cases in the United States surged to a record high last year, resulting in three deaths—the first reported measles fatalities in the country in approximately a decade.
The Democratic candidate's remarks highlight the ongoing political and familial tensions surrounding the Kennedy legacy, the Profile in Courage Award, and the controversial figures in contemporary American politics.
