Jack Schlossberg Slams Ryan Murphy’s “Grotesque” Kennedy Show

Hollywood Celebrities
Neima Barajas
Ryan Murphy Love Story sparks family backlash and public debate. [Image Source: YIMG]

The FX series Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. & Carolyn Bessette has drawn widespread attention as it chronicles the intense relationship between JFK Jr. and Carolyn Bessette, the iconic couple of 1990s New York City. Since its debut, the show exploring their marriage in 1996 and tragic deaths in a 1999 plane crash off Martha’s Vineyard has sparked both fascination and heated debate. The show’s portrayal—despite its appeal—has been met with strong criticism from family members, particularly JFK Jr.’s nephew, Jack Schlossberg.

Series Details and Mixed Reception

Featuring Paul Anthony Kelly and Sarah Pidgeon in the lead roles, the nine-episode series was created and written by Connor Hines, with Ryan Murphy acting as executive producer. The show focuses on their high-profile romance and untimely deaths in a plane crash that also claimed Carolyn’s sister, Lauren. While the series has captured the hearts of many viewers, critical reactions remain divided. It continues to spark conversations as the final episodes approach.

Family Members Speak Out Against the Series

Jack Schlossberg, 33, son of Caroline Kennedy and Edwin Schlossberg, and nephew to JFK Jr., has been vocal in his disapproval. Though Jack was only six when the fatal crash occurred, his brief depiction by a child actor in an early scene underscores his personal connection to the story. From the beginning, Jack expressed frustration that neither he nor his family were consulted for the series. He accused the producers of exploiting their private lives for profit.

Ryan Murphy
Image of: Ryan Murphy

In June 2025, Jack stated on Instagram,

“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. And there’s really not much we can do.”

This assertion triggered a response from Ryan Murphy, who during a podcast appearance with Governor Gavin Newsom, remarked,

“I thought it was an odd choice to be mad about your relative that you really don’t remember.”

Jack Schlossberg Responds to Ryan Murphy’s Remarks

Rejecting Murphy’s comment, Jack shared personal memories to demonstrate his connection to his late uncle. He recalled moments such as

“being the ring bearer at his wedding”

and

“him picking me up from school,”

adding,

“I remember Wyclef singing at his funeral.”

These reflections underscore Jack’s firm belief in his right to object to the show’s portrayal.

Showrunners Defend Their Creative Choices

Creator Connor Hines and the team behind Love Story have explained their choice to avoid familial consultation. Hines told Variety that keeping a distance from the subject matter results in a “more healthy and effective” creative process. He noted that direct interaction with family members can impose a responsibility to relay exact accounts, which could hamper objectivity. Regarding the Kennedy family, Hines commented on the difficulty of consulting such a vast and complex family network, asking rhetorically,

“So if you were to talk about consulting them, where would you even begin?”

Renewed Criticism Targets Executive Producer Ryan Murphy

As the show gains greater popularity online, Jack Schlossberg renewed his critiques, focusing particularly on Ryan Murphy. During an interview on CBS Sunday Morning, Jack forcefully condemned Murphy’s role, saying,

“If you want to know someone who’s never met anyone in my family, knows nothing about us, talk to Ryan Murphy.”

He urged viewers to approach the series with skepticism, emphasizing,

“I would just want people who do watch the show 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.”

Calls for Social Responsibility and Philanthropy

Jack also suggested that Murphy should use some of his financial gains from the show to support causes important to his uncle.

“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,”

he 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.”

Concerns About Political Climate and Family Legacy

When asked if any specific elements of the show trouble him most, Jack pointed to the larger political context, notably the ongoing influence of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and the second Trump administration. RFK Jr., JFK Jr.’s uncle, was appointed US Secretary of Health and Human Services in 2025. Jack expressed worry over misinformation surrounding the Kennedy family’s image amidst the political turmoil.

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.”

Jack Schlossberg’s Direct Plea and Public Reaction

Drawing attention to the urgency for positive action, Jack concluded with a pointed message:

“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.”

His remarks have gained significant traction on social media platform X, where many users show support for his stance.

Viewers Anticipate More Developments as the Series Continues

With half of the series still to air, Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. & Carolyn Bessette remains a topic of intense discussion, fueled by its captivating portrayal and the objections of key family members. The conversations highlight the ongoing tension between storytelling rights and respect for real-life individuals.

Jack’s interview on CBS Sunday Morning offers a deeper insight into his perspective and has sparked widespread debate. As the series continues, the balance between dramatic retelling and historical accuracy will likely remain a central issue for fans and critics alike.

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Neima Barajas
Neima Barajas