JFK’s Grandson Sparks Outrage with Bizarre Tweet Linking VP JD Vance to Pope’s Death

Jack Schlossberg, the grandson of former President John F. Kennedy, is experiencing tremendous internet reaction after a controversial and cryptic social media statement

that many deemed disgusting in light of recent events. On Monday morning, Schlossberg tweeted on X (previously Twitter), “Okay JD killed the pope,” a statement that rapidly stirred fury across the network.

The comment came less than 24 hours after the Vatican acknowledged the death of Pope Francis at the age of 88. Many users were shocked and perplexed by Schlossberg’s post,

which appeared to be a reference to US Vice President JD Vance but provided no background information or clarification. Critics deemed the phrase, which was largely seen as a jest, to be false, offensive, and outrageously inappropriate because it seemed to be connecting Vance to the pontiff’s death.

Schlossberg’s name went viral on the internet in the hours after the tweet, garnering over 470,000 views and a barrage of irate replies. He was accused by numerous users of being disrespectful and inconsiderate, particularly in light of his own family’s strong Catholic affiliation.

One user commented, “Your statements are shameful,” and another said, “Are you serious? It’s really not funny—completely disrespectful. Others advised Schlossberg to use greater tact while speaking, pointing out that the Kennedy family has always held the Catholic Church in high regard. “No, Johnny. Perhaps it’s time to back off,” one user suggested bluntly.

The 31-year-old Schlossberg is the sole grandchild of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis and President John F. Kennedy. Caroline Kennedy, his mother, is the American ambassador to Australia at the moment. Schlossberg has amassed a small internet following over the years,

renowned as much for his humorous and light-hearted online character as for his political heritage. He has discussed political views, posted humorous films mimicking accents, and occasionally made reference to his well-known ancestry.

Schlossberg has a solid intellectual and professional background, notwithstanding his shenanigans on social media. After completing his undergraduate studies at Yale and a dual J.D./M.B.A. program at Harvard, he interned in the U.S. Senate in 2011.

His qualifications, however, have been eclipsed by this latest tweet, which instead highlights what many see to be a flagrant lack of judgement.

The background surrounding Schlossberg’s remark centred on Vice President JD Vance’s recent visit to the Vatican. Vance, a convert to Catholicism, had visited briefly and privately with Pope Francis on Easter Sunday,

only one day before the pontiff’s dying. A video from their interaction showed Vance praising the Pope and showing concern for his health, stating,

“I pray for you every day.” Although the encounter was not fully recorded in the public domain, it was characterised as genuine and passionate.

While there is no evidence linking Vance to any harm related the Pope’s death—nor any accusation of wrongdoing—Schlossberg’s tweet seems to have caught onto the date of the meeting,

maybe attempting satire or social commentary. Nonetheless, a lot of people contend that the boundary between insensitivity and humour was crossed.

Schlossberg has not yet apologised or provided an explanation in public. The tweet is still active and continues to spark discussion about the obligations of public figures in the era of viral commentary, especially those with well-known names.

One thing is certain: the internet was not amused, regardless of whether Schlossberg wanted to elicit criticism, laughing, or just attention.