Kennedy Family Feuds Prompt New Book and Internal Turmoil

The Kennedy family, long celebrated for public service and political influence, is now embroiled in internal disputes and personal scandals. Recent reports highlight bitter exchanges among siblings, cousins, and family members, fueled by social media rants and longstanding feuds.

In an effort to mend fractured relations, Kerry Kennedy is set to publish a tribute to her mother, Ethel Skakel Kennedy, who passed away last October at age 96. The memoir, titled “Ethel: Faith, Hope, Family, and an Extraordinary Life,” is scheduled for release in fall 2026. Sources suggest the book aims to portray Ethel in a saint-like light, despite a history of reported dysfunction within the family.

Insiders claim the Kennedys’ reputation is increasingly tarnished, with some comparing it to a sinking ship. The family’s private struggles—ranging from infighting to public accusations—contrast sharply with their famed image of unity and service.

Internal conflicts have been stirred by social media incidents, such as Kennedy’s grandson Jack Schlossberg mocking RFK Jr.’s neurological disorder and making disparaging remarks about family members and political figures. Such behaviors have reportedly led to estrangement, with some family members feeling hurt and “blacklisted.”

Cousin Caroline Kennedy publicly expressed disapproval of RFK Jr.’s political stance and personal conduct, describing him as a “predator” and criticizing his past association with Donald Trump’s administration. The family’s historical tensions extend even to Ethel’s relationship with other members, notably her troubled relationship with Jackie Kennedy Onassis, who once dismissed Ethel as “crude” and “boorish.”

The family’s history of conflicts, including JFK Jr.’s criticism of relatives’ scandals and the late Robert F. Kennedy’s tragic assassination, continues to cast a shadow. Despite attempts at public appearances and family gatherings, deep-seated disagreements persist—highlighting that in the Kennedys, legacy and personal rivalry often intertwine.