Maria Shriver Sends Love to Cousin Caroline Kennedy After She Says RFK 'Would Be Disgusted' by His Son RFK Jr.

Mar. 15, 2025

Maria Shriver, the niece ofJohn F. Kennedy, is supporting her younger cousinCaroline Kennedyafter the diplomat published ascathing letteragainst another of their cousins,Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

“Courage is when you do something hard, heartbreaking, and painful… and you do it anyway,” Shriver wrote. “Love you, Caroline. Always have, always will.”

Cousins Maria Shriver and Caroline Kennedy at the 1977 RFK Tennis Tournament.Ken Regan /Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty

Ken Regan /Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty

Referencinghis history of substance abuse, Caroline alleged that he guided other family members into addiction.

Maria Shriver and Caroline Kennedy.Gabe Ginsberg/Getty;  Michael Nagle/Bloomberg via Getty

Gabe Ginsberg/Getty;  Michael Nagle/Bloomberg via Getty

Donald Trump and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. at an October 2024 campaign rally.Anna Moneymaker/Getty

Anna Moneymaker/Getty

Caroline said her cousin “continues to grandstand off my father’s assassination, and that of his own father.”

“It’s incomprehensible to me that someone who is willing to exploit his own painful family tragedies for publicity would be put in charge of America’s life and death situations,” she said.

Caroline Kennedy, the daughter of John F. Kennedy and Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis.Jemal Countess/Getty

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer.

RFK Jr.’s first of two confirmation hearings began at 10 a.m. ET on Wednesday, Jan. 29, less than 24 hours after Caroline’s letter was made public. His second is scheduled for Thursday, Jan. 30.

Kennedy needs more than 50% of the Senate’s support to be confirmed, and Vice PresidentJ.D. Vancewill serve as a tie-breaker vote in the event of a 50-50 split.

source: people.com