RFK's Wife Snubbed by Trump After Infidelity Admission
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Cheryl Hines at swearing-in ceremony as Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services at the White House on February 13, 2025. Photo courtesy of The White House. Public domain.
She reached out for a handshake. He walked right past her. That was all it took. Just a few seconds of awkward footage to set off a digital firestorm involving one of Hollywood's sharpest comedic actresses, a scandal-ridden political appointee, and the most powerful man in America.
At UFC® 314 in Miami, Fla, President Donald Trump made a flashy, crowd-pleasing entrance into the octagon's MAGA-saturated arena. Flanked by his grandchildren and high-profile allies, Trump soaked in a standing ovation. Then came the moment — and it had nothing to do with the fighting.
A Presidential Cold Shoulder Goes Viral
While greeting audience members ringside, Trump shared a warm handshake and hug with Robert F. Kennedy Jr., his newly minted Secretary of Health and Human Services. But standing directly beside RFK Jr. was his wife, actress Cheryl Hines, hand extended, face smiling.
Trump walked right past her.
Hines's reaction — a visible frown, a pout, and a stunned glance at her husband — was captured on camera and immediately turned into meme fodder. Fans overlaid the "Curb Your Enthusiasm" theme song onto the footage and plastered it across social media.
It might have seemed like a simple oversight — a handshake missed in the chaos of a packed arena. But for those paying attention to the swirling drama surrounding the Kennedys, it felt deliberate. And it begged the question: Why snub Cheryl Hines?
Who Is Cheryl Hines?
Cheryl Hines, 59, is best known for her Emmy-nominated role on HBO's "Curb Your Enthusiasm." In recent years, however, she's been better known as the reluctant political wife of RFK Jr., the controversial scion of America's most famous family. Her Hollywood roots — and her past criticisms of Trump — have made her an awkward fit in Trump's inner circle.
In early 2024, Hines criticized Trump's past behavior, including his infamous social media insult about Heidi Cruz, wife of Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX). In a Hollywood Reporter interview covered by PEOPLE, she said, "That's so ridiculous and disrespectful that he would say something disrespectful about Ted Cruz's wife. She has nothing to do with any of this. And I'm sure Ted Cruz will never forget that... Then cut to Trump as president and Ted Cruz couldn't be happier."
Still, Hines has stood by her husband as he aligned himself with Trump, even attending his confirmation hearings and swearing-in ceremony.
The RFK Jr. Luggage: Infidelity, Scandal, and Sexts
It's been a turbulent year for RFK Jr. In addition to a bruising Senate confirmation hearing, he's faced renewed scrutiny over past infidelity. Newly surfaced audio reportedly captured him admitting to cheating on his late second wife 37 times — and even blaming her for it.
Then came the much more recent alleged sexting affair with journalist Olivia Nuzzi. The scandal reportedly blindsided Hines and prompted her to issue a "strict ultimatum" to her husband — move me to D.C. or I'm out. An insider speaking to Page Six said, "Cheryl doesn't feel Bobby can be trusted one iota living on his own, in D.C., even part-time, with so many attractive women and Kennedy groupies around, as he gets settled in his powerful new position."
So, while Hines may have moved to Washington, her place in the MAGA orbit still seems tenuous — especially after Saturday night's snub.
Was It Intentional?
A source cited by PEOPLE said, "This was simply an unintentional oversight, which can happen in a large crowd in a public arena. There is no way this was intentional."
Another clip from later in the evening showed Trump conversing with Hines, who was seated behind him. But the internet wasn't buying it.
After all, Trump has long used UFC events as his personal stage. With UFC boss Dana White acting as a cultural bridge between Trump's world and the so-called "manosphere," these fight nights have become less about sports and more about spectacle — MAGA spectacles, to be exact, The Guardian reported.
Trump's entrances are choreographed, his handshakes calculated. In this setting, missing a handshake — especially one offered right after embracing her husband — felt like a message.
MAGA's New Town Square
The UFC isn't just about blood and belts anymore. It's the de facto rally ground for Trump. Saturday's event was no exception: Trump was surrounded by allies like Elon Musk, Senator Ted Cruz, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and even Tulsi Gabbard, who sat ringside to celebrate her birthday.
Cheryl Hines? She was there as a political wife. And in a space filled with Trump's most loyal supporters, her presence may have stood out — for all the wrong reasons.
Whether it was a snub or a slip, the clip now lives online forever. And with every replay and every meme, the question lingers: will Hines ever find a place in MAGA town?
References: Donald Trump appears to snub Robert F Kennedy Jr's wife Cheryl Hines at UFC fight | RFK Jr told his second wife it was her fault he cheated on her 37 times in new recordings: Report | Donald Trump Appears to Ignore Cheryl Hines as the Actress Tries to Shake His Hand During UFC Event with RFK Jr. | Cheryl Hines issues 'strict ultimatum' to RFK Jr. after being 'blindsided' by sexting scandal: report | Donald Trump joined by Elon Musk and MAGA entourage at UFC 314 in Miami | How UFC head Dana White became the glue between Maga and the manosphere
