Actress Cheryl Hines Speaks Out on Kennedy Family Divisions
Cheryl Hines, the actress married to Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., recently addressed the widely reported disagreements within the Kennedy family. In an interview, Hines shared her feelings about the public nature of the conflict, particularly concerning criticism directed at her husband.
Hines expressed surprise at the open disagreements, stating that she had always believed the Kennedy family valued unity. She noted that even Ethel Kennedy, RFK Jr.’s mother, was taken aback by the family members publicly opposing his political views and his run for president.
The disagreements largely stem from RFK Jr.’s evolving political positions. He initially launched his presidential campaign as a Democrat but later ran as an Independent. His views on vaccines, particularly mRNA vaccines, and his critiques of government health policies have set him apart from many of his family members.
Several Kennedys, including Caroline Kennedy, Kerry Kennedy, and others, have publicly distanced themselves from him. Prior to his confirmation hearings for HHS Secretary, they released a joint statement expressing their concerns about his views, describing them as “perilous” for the country. Caroline Kennedy went as far as to describe her cousin as a “predator” and “hypocrite” in a private letter to senators.
Hines, known for her role in the television series “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” acknowledged the emotional toll of navigating political life and family disagreements. She mentioned losing friends in Hollywood due to her husband’s political views but affirmed her unwavering support for him and the current administration.
“It’s not easy being married to someone so polarizing,” she admitted. “But I know his heart. I know what he stands for, and I love him.”
Hines also voiced concerns about Kennedy’s safety. She recalled her fears during his presidential campaign that he could face the same fate as his father and uncle, who were both assassinated. She noted that her husband initially lacked Secret Service protection during his campaign after being denied by the Department of Homeland Security.
While Hines never anticipated becoming a political spouse, she emphasized that she stands by her husband through any controversy. She added that “Politics exposes you in ways you can’t prepare for, but what’s most painful is seeing family turn against each other in public. That’s not who they were supposed to be.”
Despite the divisions, Hines remains hopeful for reconciliation, suggesting that “love runs deep in that family, no matter what’s said.”
She described her communication style with her husband, noting, “I’m definitely the one that has all the feelings, and he’s the one that wants to talk about the facts and the studies, and so sometimes we really have a hard time communicating. Bobby and I, we’re able to disagree on things. I mean, sometimes we have heated discussions, but we always come back around to, ‘I hear what you’re saying.'”
