What a time to be Cheryl Hines. The old Limit your enthusiasm The actor has experienced very eventful recent months: his husband, Robert F. Kennedy Jr.ran and then put aside a presidential campaign, was credible accused of sexually assaulting his children’s former babysitterto which his official response was a “I’m not a church boy” shrug, resisted a high-profile sexting scandal with a political journalist Olivia Nuzzinot to mention all sorts of disturbing things involving sea, air and land creatures (dead bears, decapitated whales, brainworm, angry emus, pet crowsand a charred animal carcass of controversial origin), and now it is announced as Donald Trumpthe candidate of lead the Department of Health and Human Services.

For his part, Hines saw the last season of Sidewalk aired earlier this year, and she continues to be very excited about the plastic-free skincare and health line she launched with her daughter in 2023. political wife exhausted by the grueling demands of the election campaign? Not here!

A look at Hines’ public presence almost entirely ignores Kennedy’s campaign in favor of the content around him. Sidewalk and Hines’ other ad releases and podcast appearances; the actor shares photos of herself smiling with pots of Hines+Young moisturizer more often than with her husband of 10 years. Unlike the stereotypical political wife, Hines doesn’t stand behind her husband on stage, her smug smile visible over her shoulder from the audience. She barely recognizes that the man exists, despite Kennedy tell New York Times in 2023shortly after launching his presidential campaign, that “I think ultimately, if I’m elected, Cheryl will have played a huge role in that.” He continued, “She’s a huge asset to me, and I don’t think we’ve really unlocked her true power yet.”

Hines seems to have sidestepped this imagined role from the start, choosing not to reveal this power. In an interview for the same article, she told the Times“I support Bobby and I want to be there for him, and I want him to feel loved and supported by me. And at the same time, I don’t feel the need to go to every political event, because I have my own career.”

These “wants” really work overtime, don’t they?

Kennedy announced his intention to run for president on April 19, 2023. On April 22, 2023, Hines announced that #earthdayiseveryday. A few weeks later, May 23she just couldn’t contain herself about “one of the most exciting days of my life”: breaking the news that she and her daughter were working on this skincare line.

His spokesperson published a decidedly lukewarm statement the same day as Kennedy’s announcement to the media asking: “My husband, Robert Kennedy Jr. announced today that he will run for president and I support his decision,” the released statement said. “He is a fearless leader who understands the needs of the American people and has dedicated his life to fighting for democracy.” The vibe is that of the mom at the grocery store who tells you that her child dressed himself and has always been “very creative.” There is much to be said, it seems, that remains unsaid. In Hines’ own words, nada.

Cheryl Hines and her husband Robert F. Kennedy Jr. on March 26, 2024 in Oakland, California.Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

Her Instagram contains no photos of campaign rallies, even though she attended them, or even mentions of the race or Kennedy’s political profile, as does her X (formerly Twitter) account, with the exception of a single tweet on August 23, recognizing that the campaign was over, a marvel of passive voice and distancing.