Cheryl Hines has publicly addressed speculation about her marriage to Robert F. Kennedy Jr., emphasizing their communication and trust amid political controversies and past scandals. In a Wall Street Journal interview published August 12, 2025, the actress dismissed the need to engage with rumors while expressing bewilderment at public criticism of her husband’s career choices.
Who: Cheryl Hines (59-year-old actress known for ‘Curb Your Enthusiasm’) and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. (71-year-old U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services). The couple married in 2014 after dating for two years. Their relationship has faced public scrutiny since Kennedy entered politics and joined the Trump administration in 2024.
What: Hines broke her silence on longstanding rumors of marital turmoil, particularly those stemming from Kennedy’s alleged 2024 affair with a political reporter. She characterized their relationship as grounded in open communication and friendship, stating they ‘talk about everything’ to navigate challenges. Notably, she declined to address specific allegations, asserting it’s pointless to ‘defend or explain every rumor.’
When/Where: The interview appeared in The Wall Street Journal on August 12, 2025. Though conducted remotely, the context includes the couple’s shared time between Washington D.C. (where Kennedy serves in the Cabinet) and California (where Hines maintains her entertainment career).
Why: Speculation intensified after Kennedy’s controversial 2024 party switch from Democrat to Republican and subsequent Cabinet appointment. Hines addressed rumors to clarify her perspective without fueling gossip, framing public criticism as disproportionate to their private reality.
How: With measured candor, Hines avoided validating rumors but affirmed their marital foundation. She expressed confusion about the intensity of backlash against Kennedy’s MAGA affiliation, calling reactions ‘strange.’ The interview also revealed alignment with Kennedy’s controversial health policies, including vaccine skepticism.
Impact: The statement may temporarily reduce media scrutiny of their marriage but risks amplifying debates about Kennedy’s policies. It highlights the tension between public figures’ private lives and political roles, particularly regarding Hines’ Hollywood background intersecting with Washington controversies.
What’s Next: Hines indicated no intention to leave Kennedy, consistent with earlier reports. Ongoing attention seems inevitable given Kennedy’s Cabinet role, but the couple appears focused on maintaining privacy through selective public engagement.