RFK Jr. Says Wife Does Not Support Trump, Implores Bullies To Leave Her Alone
On Tuesday, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. requested that people ease up on his wife, Cheryl Hines, following his recent endorsement of Donald Trump, revealing that it was Hines who initially encouraged him to meet with the GOP nominee.
Kennedy clarified during an interview with TMZ Live that although Hines does not support Trump, she advised him to take the call from Trump's camp, which came shortly after the July 13 assassination attempt.
“I said, ‘I don’t think so,’ ” RFK Jr. mentioned earlier this week on “The Tucker Carlson Show.” “Part of this was that I thought this was a nonstarter with Cheryl.”
However, after speaking with his wife for advice, RFK Jr. shared that she told him to “hear them out, out of compassion,” as he explained to Carlson.
“It was an emotional night for our country. It was an emotional night for everyone,” Kennedy stated to Carlson.
Hines also attended the meeting to ensure that no hasty decisions were made, according to Kennedy.
“It’s a really difficult issue for Cheryl,” RFK Jr. shared with TMZ. “It’s the opposite of what she would want to do. She went along with it because she loves me and wanted to be supportive. But it was not something she ever encouraged.”
Despite Kennedy’s explanation, his endorsement of Trump drew criticism online, with some negative comments directed at Hines. For instance, “West Wing” actor Bradley Whitford criticized the “Curb Your Enthusiasm” actress.
“Hey @CherylHines, way to stay silent while your lunatic husband throws his support behind the adjudicated rapist who brags about stripping women of their fundamental rights,” Whitford tweeted on Saturday. “Gutsy. Great example for the kids. Profile in courage.”
RFK Jr. responded to the criticism, telling TMZ, “It’s a template for bullying. Instead of challenging me, he’s attacking my wife. Who would do that? What kind of person, what kind of man, would do that? Like many people who point fingers and accuse others of bullying women, that’s exactly what he was doing there.”
Kennedy also revealed on Tuesday that Trump has tasked him with helping select individuals who will be part of a new administration should Trump win the presidency again.
During an interview with independent journalist Tucker Carlson, the former Fox News host asked Kennedy what his plans were “from now until election day” after endorsing Trump. Kennedy responded, “I’m gonna work to get him elected, and, you know, I’m working with the campaign. We’re working on policy issues together.”
“I’ve been asked to go on to the transition team and help pick who will be running the government, and I’m looking forward to that,” Kennedy continued, adding, “I’m gonna fight. I don’t know what would happen to me if we lose.”
When Carlson pressed, “What happens, if he loses, to you?” Kennedy replied, “I never really think about that. What I think is, okay, here’s what I gotta do today, and you know, get up every day and say, ‘Reporting for duty, sir,’ and then go do that.”
Kennedy concluded by saying, “You know, nothing’s a crisis, everything’s a task, right? So that’s what I’m gonna be. Kind of a happy warrior. I know what I have to do, so I’m gonna do it.”
In the same interview, Kennedy told Carlson that while he would be interested in serving as Trump’s CIA director, he believes securing Senate confirmation for the position would be unlikely.
When Carlson asked if he would accept the role, Kennedy responded, “Yes, I would, but I would never get Senate confirmation. As you know, the intelligence agencies are protected by very, very powerful committees in the Senate and the House that are all read into the project, and the people who serve on those committees are people who would, you know, they would not—they’re safeguarding that directorship, and I would be very, very dangerous for those committees.”