Jack Schlossberg has openly condemned Ryan Murphy’s FX series Love Story for its depiction of his late uncle, John F. Kennedy Jr., and Carolyn Bessette’s relationship, labeling it as fabricated. Speaking on CBS Sunday Morning, Schlossberg expressed deep frustration over the show’s handling of the couple’s romance, which ended tragically in a 1999 plane crash, calling the series outright fiction.
Schlossberg’s remarks came amid growing tensions regarding the Ryan Murphy JFK controversy, as he criticized the series for ignoring his family’s firsthand perspective while profiting off their private lives.
Family Demands Accountability and Respect for JFK’s Legacy
Schlossberg emphasized that Ryan Murphy’s portrayal lacked authenticity and respect. He urged Murphy to donate profits from Love Story to causes championed by President John F. Kennedy, particularly the JFK Library, to preserve his grandfather’s memory.
“I would hope that Mr. Murphy would donate some of the millions of dollars of profits that he’s making to maybe some of the causes that John championed throughout his life,”
Schlossberg said.
“Maybe he would donate some of that money to the JFK library to help keep President Kennedy’s memory alive, but he’s not. He’s making money. This is not a documentary.”
The call for accountability highlighted the emotional burden felt by the family, especially since the show was produced without their involvement or consent.
Why This Series Raises Unique Concerns for the Kennedy Family
Schlossberg acknowledged that while previous films, TV shows, and books have depicted the Kennedy family, the current political climate has added a new layer of complexity. He pointed to controversial actions by former President Donald Trump and Robert F. Kennedy Jr., John F. Kennedy Jr.’s cousin and the current health secretary, which have distorted public perceptions of the family’s legacy.
He explained,
“I think in the last year, two years, three years, partly because of RFK Jr., but also partly because Donald Trump has used JFK as sort of a human punching bag, both by renaming the Kennedy Center after himself, by doing a false reinvestigation into the assassination and dismantling all the programs that he fought for, there’s a lot of misinformation now and iconography being used about the Kennedy family, my family, at a time when we really can’t afford to confuse people.”
Schlossberg added,
“We really need to take every breath that we have to try to make things better. So, if Ryan Murphy really cares so much about the Kennedy family, my uncle John, maybe he would try to do something about getting Trump out of power.”
Jack Schlossberg’s Previous Public Reproach of the Series
Months before the show’s premiere, Schlossberg spoke out against Love Story, accusing Murphy of exploiting JFK Jr.’s legacy. On Instagram, he declared,
“For those wondering whether his family was ever consulted, or has anything to do with, the new shows being made about him, the answer is no.”
He described Murphy’s actions as profiting
“off JFK Jr.’s legacy in a grotesque way.”
When Murphy responded on California Governor Gavin Newsom’s podcast, expressing surprise at the backlash by saying,
“I thought it was an odd choice to be mad about your relative that you really don’t remember,”
Schlossberg fired back on Instagram with vivid personal memories, including
“being the ring bearer at his wedding and the day he died,”
and recalled,
“I remember Wyclef singing at his funeral.”
Concerns Over Profit and Faithfulness in Representation
Schlossberg reiterated that Murphy is
“making millions off John, making a public spectacle of it but won’t contribute any of your riches to the causes he championed, or the legacy of public service he represented. Also odd that the actor playing the sexiest man alive is bloated!”
indicating his disapproval of how the show glorifies JFK Jr. while disregarding the family’s values and sacrifices.
Behind the Scenes: Producers and Actors Respond to Criticism
Brad Simpson, executive producer of Love Story, acknowledged the sensitivity surrounding the series in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter. He stated,
“I understand that this show that we made with sincerity about these people is also the story of a tragedy in some people’s lives. And for all of us who are making TV shows based on real events, you have to consider your ethical obligation to the family members and approach it with love and kindness.”
Simpson added,
“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.”
As for those hesitant to watch, he cautioned,
“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.”
Sarah Pidgeon, who portrays Carolyn Bessette, shared her respect for the family’s feelings, noting,
“I don’t know what it’s like to have a TV show or a book or movie written about my family, and I understand the sensitivities. He has every right to share how he feels about it. We were approaching this with integrity and respect, and I think we were successful in that.”
She continued,
“But we were also understanding that these weren’t just real people — but they also have family and friends still with us today, and that their legacy reverberates and lives on through them as well. That was always part of my consciousness. I hope that if they do watch it, they feel that we led with respect and honor for John and Carolyn — that’s my hope.”
Creative Choices Behind the Series’ Research and Family Contact
Despite basing the show on Elizabeth Beller’s biography, producers and lead actors including Paul Anthony Kelly, who plays JFK Jr., and executive producer Nina Jacobson revealed they did not reach out to the Kennedy family for input. Jacobson explained to The Hollywood Reporter,
“We have done a lot of stories rooted in real events, many times where the people are still alive, or relatives of the people are still alive. Generally speaking, we don’t engage with the people who are public figures, because you end up either feeling obligated to honor something that they ask you, ‘Please portray me this way, but not that way,’ or you feel that, that you’re having competing versions.”
Jacobson added,
“When you take more of a research posture as opposed to a personal interview position, we have found that you get a more dimensional view, even though you are missing the chance to talk to the people themselves. You’re getting more multiplicities of views.”
Unclear if Schlossberg Has Watched the Series
It remains unknown whether Jack Schlossberg has actually viewed Love Story, although he has voiced consistent opposition since before its release. Representatives for Ryan Murphy and the series have not responded to media requests for comment, leaving their official stance on the controversy unconfirmed.
Significance of the Debate Over Family Legacy and Media Representation
The Ryan Murphy JFK controversy underscores the ongoing tension between artistic storytelling and the respect owed to real-life figures and their families. Schlossberg’s critiques highlight the sensitiveness surrounding public portrayals of prominent families and the potential consequences when creative works blur fact and fiction. This debate also reflects broader cultural discussions about preserving historical legacies amid political manipulation and misinformation.
As Love Story continues to draw attention, the Kennedy family’s call for greater respect and ethical consideration may influence how future biographical dramas approach sensitive material, balancing storytelling with honoring family memories and public service legacies.
