Actress Cheryl Hines is navigating a dramatically shifting social landscape as her marriage to Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. continues to strain longtime Hollywood relationships. The “Curb Your Enthusiasm” star revealed on multiple recent podcast appearances that she has lost friends who find her connection to the Trump administration too difficult to accept, while simultaneously forming new bonds in Washington’s political circles.
During an appearance on the “Hot Mics with Billy Bush” podcast on Monday, October 27, 2025, Hines acknowledged she has not spoken with her former co-star Larry David in quite some time. The 60-year-old actress, who played David’s wife for 12 seasons on the HBO comedy series, said they probably have not communicated since an event tied to the show’s finale in early 2024. When asked about their relationship, Hines expressed continued affection for the comedian but suggested politics had complicated their friendship.
The distance from David represents just one casualty in Hines’ social circle. Comedian Tig Notaro, who previously co-hosted a podcast with Hines, publicly explained earlier this month that she decided to step away from their friendship after Kennedy endorsed Trump. Notaro told “Breaking Bread With Tom Papa” that Kennedy’s beliefs, which once seemed like minor irritations, grew increasingly prominent as he aligned himself with the former president’s campaign and eventually joined his administration.
On “The Katie Miller Podcast,” Hines confirmed she has lost multiple friends who find even her marriage to Kennedy emotionally overwhelming. “I have had some friends who are so emotional about politics that even me being married to Bobby is too much for them,” she stated. “It’s too much emotionally to even have a friendship with me. They can’t be relaxed around me.”
The professional implications have been equally challenging. When asked whether her husband’s political alignment has cost her acting roles, Hines responded that it probably has, though she noted some entertainment industry figures have expressed interest in working with her. She described the situation as a double-edged sword, with certain people unable to separate her professional identity from her marriage while others actively seek collaboration.
The Daily Mail reported Wednesday, October 29, 2025, that Hollywood insiders are baffled by Hines’ transformation from liberal Democrat to what they characterize as a Trump administration defender. “It’s so hard to make sense in my head because she was so liberal before,” a longtime friend told the outlet. “And now, she’s married to a member of the Trump administration and she’s literally defending his ridiculous s–t on ‘The View.'”
That contentious View appearance on October 14, 2025, became a focal point of criticism. Hines appeared on the ABC talk show ostensibly to promote her memoir “Unscripted,” but the conversation quickly pivoted to her husband’s role in the Trump administration, his vaccine stance, and his qualifications to lead Health and Human Services. Co-hosts Sunny Hostin, Whoopi Goldberg, Joy Behar, Sara Haines and Alyssa Farah Griffin pressed Hines on Kennedy’s controversial positions and decision to endorse Trump during the previous election.
Reflecting on the interview during her podcast tour, Hines expressed disappointment that the hosts showed little interest in her book. “I was actually hoping it was going to be more personal on The View, but it was what it was,” she told Bush. “They just wanted to grill me about Bobby.” She added that she did not believe the panel asked her a single question about her memoir.
As old friendships fade, Hines has embraced her new social environment in Washington. She described developing genuine affection for the people in her husband’s professional orbit, including President Trump himself. Speaking with Tucker Carlson, Hines recalled meeting Trump last summer and finding him to be a genuine person interested in hearing what others had to say. She told the conservative commentator that she genuinely likes Kennedy’s colleagues as people to socialize with at dinner parties.
Hines expressed particular fondness for Secretary of State Marco Rubio and his wife Jeanette during a Megyn Kelly podcast appearance, calling them people she really likes. She also mentioned Department of Education head Linda McMahon, saying something about her feels reminiscent of family. First lady Melania Trump has been especially kind, according to Hines, who recalled a post-inauguration moment when Melania encouraged her to enjoy her life in Washington. Those words proved pivotal for Hines, who told Carlson they were exactly what she needed to hear at that moment.
The actress, who married Kennedy in 2014 after David introduced them at a ski event fundraiser in 2004, acknowledged during The View appearance that her husband’s decision to end his presidential campaign and endorse Trump was very difficult. However, she defended the choice by noting that Trump and Kennedy sat down to discuss their common goals before reaching their agreement. When Hostin challenged Kennedy’s qualifications and accused him of spreading misinformation, Hines attempted to respond before being interrupted, eventually interjecting to ask if she could finish her statement.
