Cheryl Hines Reflects on Backlash Over Husband RFK Jr.'s 2024 Presidential Run

The actress opened up to Joe Rogan about the vicious nature of politics and how it impacted her personally.

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

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Actress Cheryl Hines, who is married to Robert F. Kennedy Jr., spoke to podcaster Joe Rogan about the intense backlash she and her husband faced when he decided to run for president as a Democrat in 2024. Hines said the attacks from her own party pushed her to the edge, and she was shocked by how quickly politicians could turn on each other and then act cordial moments later.

Why it matters

Hines' comments provide a rare insider's perspective on the cutthroat nature of modern American politics, where even members of the same party can turn on each other viciously. Her experience highlights the personal toll that running for office can take, even on seasoned political figures like RFK Jr.

The details

Hines told Rogan that when her husband RFK Jr. decided to run for president as a Democrat, "even Democrats were angry." She said the backlash "kicked up a notch" once he officially entered the race, leaving her feeling a "sense of doom." Hines said she was shocked by how quickly politicians could attack each other and then act cordial moments later, something she was not used to from her experience in the competitive world of Hollywood.

  • RFK Jr. announced his entry into the 2024 presidential race as an independent candidate in October 2023.

The players

Cheryl Hines

An actress who is married to Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

An environmental activist and attorney who ran for president as a Democrat in 2024.

Joe Rogan

A podcaster who interviewed Hines about her experiences with her husband's political campaign.

Bill Maher

A left-wing talk show host who Rogan referenced as an example of a reasonable political commentator.

Jimmy Kimmel

A liberal talk show host who Maher reportedly no longer speaks to, according to Rogan.

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What they’re saying

“They will viciously attack each other, and then a minute later in the hallway it's like, 'Hey, how's it going?'”

— Cheryl Hines (The Joe Rogan Experience)

“I know that feeling 'cause even when Bobby started running for president, even when he started running as a Democrat, people were angry. Democrats were angry.”

— Cheryl Hines (The Joe Rogan Experience)

“It's just weird, you know. And there was like a feeling of doom for me.”

— Cheryl Hines (The Joe Rogan Experience)

The takeaway

Hines' experience highlights the harsh realities of modern American politics, where even members of the same party can turn on each other viciously. Her comments provide a rare insider's perspective on the personal toll that running for office can take, even on seasoned political figures like her husband RFK Jr.