Cheryl Hines, wife of Robert F. Kennedy Jr., is reportedly considering divorce, but not for the reasons one might expect.
According to Page Six, sources close to the couple reveal that Hines is more likely to end her 10-year marriage due to Kennedy's recent endorsement of Donald Trump rather than his alleged affair with New York Magazine writer Olivia Nuzzi.
The "Curb Your Enthusiasm" actress, a lifelong Democrat, is said to be deeply troubled by her husband's shift towards the MAGA movement.
Kennedy, who initially ran for president as a Democrat, switched to an independent campaign before ultimately dropping out and endorsing Trump. This political about-face has reportedly left Hines feeling blindsided and at odds with her own values.
A source close to the situation explained that while Hines was aware of Kennedy's reputation as a "serial philanderer" when they married, she never anticipated his dramatic political transformation.
The insider stated, "She knew she was getting in with a Kennedy, who are known for being infamous womanizers. But she never signed up to be a member of Trump World!"
The strain on their relationship became public when Kennedy himself acknowledged Hines' discomfort with his Trump endorsement. In a statement to TMZ, he admitted:
This is a really difficult issue for Cheryl. This is the opposite of what she would want to do. She went along with it because she loves me and she wanted to be supportive of me, but it was not something that she ever encouraged. I would say, her trepidation about this and her discomfort with this were the dominant feelings.
While the recent sexting scandal involving Kennedy and Olivia Nuzzi has garnered significant media attention, sources suggest that it is not the primary driver of the potential divorce. The digital relationship between Kennedy, 70, and Nuzzi, 31, reportedly included "incredible" FaceTime encounters and declarations of love.
However, a source close to the couple downplayed the impact of the affair on their marriage, stating, "The guy is a serial philanderer and she knew that coming in." This sentiment suggests that Hines may have been more prepared to deal with infidelity than with her husband's radical political shift.
The scandal has had professional repercussions for Nuzzi, who has been placed on leave from New York Magazine. Meanwhile, Kennedy has denied the affair, with some of his supporters even suggesting potential legal action against Nuzzi.
Adding another layer of complexity to the situation are reports that some members of Trump's inner circle are actively hoping for the dissolution of Kennedy and Hines' marriage. A source revealed to Page Six that there are individuals in the Trump camp who "hate" Hines due to her political views and would prefer her absence if Kennedy were to secure a position in a potential Trump administration.
This revelation underscores the political nature of the marital discord, with Hines potentially being viewed as a liability in Kennedy's new political landscape. The source added, "There's a likelihood he'll work in the Trump administration if [Trump] wins. RFK Jr. would have to move to DC and they don't want [Cheryl] around."
The potential divorce of Cheryl Hines and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. reflects the deep political divisions in America. Their marriage, once a union of a Hollywood actress and a member of a prominent Democratic family, now stands as a microcosm of the nation's political turmoil. Hines' reported consideration of divorce over political differences rather than infidelity highlights the intensity of current partisan divides.
