Actress Cheryl Hines is speaking candidly about the shifting landscape of her social life since her husband, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., aligned himself with Donald Trump, revealing a spectrum of reactions from long-time friends, some of whom have simply "stopped talking" to her.

TL;DR: The Political Ripple Effect on Cheryl Hines' Social Circle

  • Cheryl Hines' friendships have been significantly impacted by her husband Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s decision to support Donald Trump and join his administration.
  • While some friends engaged in honest, if difficult, discussions, others, including long-term acquaintances, have completely distanced themselves from the actress.
  • Hines values those who are willing to "see both sides" and discuss political differences rather than resorting to silence, highlighting the personal cost of political polarization.

Imagine catching up with a friend you've known for three decades, only to find an unspoken chasm has opened between you. For Cheryl Hines, star of "Curb Your Enthusiasm" and wife to Robert F. Kennedy Jr., this isn't a hypothetical scenario; it's a lived reality. Hines is navigating the choppy waters of friendships strained and, in some cases, severed, by her husband's recent political pivot.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr., initially a Democratic presidential hopeful, made headlines when he suspended his campaign and announced his support for Republican candidate Donald Trump for the 2024 presidential election. This move culminated in Trump appointing Kennedy as Secretary of Health and Human Services, a significant shift that has had personal as well as political repercussions for those in their orbit.

Navigating the Social Minefield: When Political Allegiances Shift

The impact of Kennedy's decision on Hines' social circles has been a central topic in her recent interviews. In an exclusive clip from an upcoming conversation with Lara Trump for "My View with Lara Trump," Hines reflected on the diverse reactions she encountered. Lara Trump directly probed Hines about the personal fallout, asking, "Did you hear from people, did you suddenly not hear from people? How did that go for you?"

Hines' response was telling. She revealed a mix of humor and seriousness, stating, "The reactions were mixed." Some friends reached out, expressing disbelief and concern, prompting discussions about the implications of Kennedy's choice. "I was actually grateful for my good friends that had feelings about it, still have feelings about it, but at least would call me and say, 'I can't believe this is happening, you can't let this happen!'" she explained. Source: SSBCrack News, "Cheryl Hines Discusses Friends’ Reactions to Husband’s Support for Donald Trump," November 10, 2025.

However, not all reactions were characterized by open dialogue. Hines lamented the silence from others:

"I would rather that than somebody who I've known for 30 years just stop talking to me altogether."

— Cheryl Hines (as reported by The Irish Star, November 7, 2025)

This sentiment underscores the painful reality that political disagreements can sometimes outweigh decades of shared history. Hines emphasized her appreciation for friends who engage in thoughtful discussions and can "see both sides," acknowledging that political matters aren't always "black and white."

For example, imagine a yearly Friendsgiving gathering, a tradition spanning decades, suddenly marked by a conspicuous absence. Perhaps "Sarah," a long-time friend of Hines, used to be the first to arrive with her famous pumpkin pie. This year, however, her invitation was met with a polite but firm decline, citing a conflicting schedule that never quite materialized. This scenario, a quiet distancing rather than an overt confrontation, perfectly illustrates the subtle yet impactful ruptures Hines describes in her social fabric.

From "Guarded" Support to Fierce Defense: The View Clash

Hines' journey through this political landscape hasn't been without its own internal struggles. She has candidly shared her initial hesitations regarding her husband's shift. On "The View" last month (relative to November 2025), Hines admitted she was "guarded" about Kennedy's decision to back Trump. Source: SSBCrack News, "Cheryl Hines Discusses Friends’ Reactions to Husband’s Support for Donald Trump," November 10, 2025. She also stated she's "never been a political person," preferring to encourage civic participation over partisan endorsements. "With Bobby, that was a very difficult decision to make with President Trump," she explained, acknowledging that despite her reservations, Kennedy and Trump found "a lot of common goals."

One of these common goals led to the launch of the "Make America Healthy Again" (MAHA) movement. This initiative, championed by Kennedy in his role as Secretary of Health and Human Services, has drawn significant scrutiny due to its promotion of unverified health claims and controversial stances on vaccinations. Kennedy himself has faced criticism for suggesting links between Tylenol use and early circumcision with autism, and for questioning vaccine safety.

During her appearance on "The View," Hines found herself in a tense exchange with co-host Sunny Hostin, who bluntly challenged Kennedy's qualifications. Hostin stated, "Respectfully, your husband is the least qualified Department of Health and Human Services head that we've had in history." Hines, however, vigorously defended Kennedy, referencing his legal work on environmental cases and reiterating that both Kennedy and Trump advocate for increased access to vaccines, presenting a nuanced perspective on their positions. This public defense marked a noticeable shift from her earlier "guarded" stance.

Hollywood's Stunned Silence and Outspoken Criticism

The political shift of Robert F. Kennedy Jr., and by extension, Cheryl Hines' public support, has reportedly left many in Hollywood "stunned." Fourteen Hollywood insiders told the Daily Mail that this change is "beyond comprehension," with one long-time friend expressing disbelief, noting Hines was "so liberal before" and is now "literally defending his ridiculous s--- on The View."

Crew members from "Curb Your Enthusiasm," a show Hines has been part of since 1999, reportedly found her views "unrecognizable." One remarked, "She was 100 percent a Democrat for as long as I worked with her, and proudly so. Encouraging people to vote blue, standing up for women's rights, LGBTQ rights, liberal politics. And now she's completely on the other side." This highlights the deep perception of a personal transformation that has left former colleagues questioning her previous convictions.

While Hines previously distanced herself from some of her husband's more extreme comments, stating, "My husband's opinions are not a reflection of my own" and calling them "reprehensible and insensitive," her recent public defense suggests an evolution in her stance. This apparent shift from personal disagreement to public advocacy has fueled further bewilderment among her friends and industry peers. It's a trade-off: supporting her husband potentially at the cost of her long-held public image and some friendships.

Perhaps the most prominent example of this social fallout comes from within her "Curb Your Enthusiasm" family. Hines hinted that co-star Larry David might be among the friends she's lost. She confessed on Billy Bush's Podcast that she hasn't spoken to David since the Season 12 finale event last year, attributing the silence to "politics." Source: OK! Magazine, "Cheryl Hines is sticking by her controversial husband's side," November 7, 2025. Further, Larry David's wife, Laurie David, publicly criticized Hines on Threads, claiming she was "setting women back decades" for supporting her husband's vaccine conspiracies, which garnered thousands of likes.

Cheryl Hines’ full interview with Lara Trump is set to air on Saturday, November 8, 2025, at 9 p.m. ET on FOX News Channel's “My View with Lara Trump.”

Practical Takeaways for Navigating Political Divides

  • Open Dialogue Matters: Even when opinions clash, honest conversations can be more valuable than complete silence, potentially preserving relationships.
  • Personal Cost of Public Stances: Taking a public political stance, especially when it shifts, can significantly impact personal friendships and professional perceptions.
  • Values vs. Loyalty: Individuals often grapple with balancing personal values and loyalty to a spouse or family, leading to complex social consequences.
  • Not Always Black and White: Recognize that political issues and personal motivations are often nuanced, and blanket judgments can hinder understanding.

FAQ: All About Cheryl Hines, RFK Jr., and Their Political Journey

When did Robert F. Kennedy Jr. endorse Donald Trump? Robert F. Kennedy Jr. suspended his Democratic presidential campaign last year and announced his support for Donald Trump's re-election bid for the 2024 presidential election. What is the "Make America Healthy Again" (MAHA) movement? The "Make America Healthy Again" (MAHA) movement is an initiative launched by Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Donald Trump, focusing on health issues but also drawing criticism for promoting unverified claims and controversial stances on vaccinations. Has Cheryl Hines always been politically active? No, Cheryl Hines has stated she has not been a political person publicly, usually only encouraging people to vote without endorsing specific candidates. Her current visibility is part of promoting her new book, "Unscripted," and supporting her husband. Where can I watch Cheryl Hines' interview with Lara Trump? Cheryl Hines' full interview with Lara Trump will air on Saturday, November 8, 2025, at 9 p.m. ET on FOX News Channel's "My View with Lara Trump."

Sources

  • SSBCrack News, "Cheryl Hines Discusses Friends’ Reactions to Husband’s Support for Donald Trump," November 10, 2025.
  • The Irish Star, "Cheryl Hines says everyone 'just stopped talking' to her after Kennedy's Trump alliance," November 7, 2025.
  • OK! Magazine, "Cheryl Hines is sticking by her controversial husband's side," November 7, 2025.