Cheryl Hines' Speech for RFK Jr. Slammed: 'Worst Acting She's Ever Done'

Cheryl Hines' speech on behalf of husband Robert Kennedy Jr. is being criticized online, with the actress introducing the presidential hopeful at a campaign rally in Philadelphia.

Taking to the stage at Independence Hall on October 9, the 58-year-old described RFK Jr. as someone who "stood up for the little guy, for the average person who is just trying to make a living."

Hines also referenced RFK Jr.'s battle with the Monsanto corporation in 2018, in which the environmental lawyer and his team achieved a landmark $290 million victory against the biochemical conglomerate—receiving cheers and applause from the audience.

The Curb Your Enthusiasm star's praise of her husband divided people online after being shared to X—the social network formerly known as Twitter—by user @Acyn, where it received more than 860,000 views.

"The worst acting she's ever done," wrote Jo.

"I'm embarrassed for her," said @victoriaacas.

"I used to really like her, but this is pretty, pretty, pretty, bad," commented Salty Michael.

"Goodbye to your career," wrote @lemortegames, while Veronica said: "Never gonna be able to watch anything she's in, ever, period."

However, some users supported the TV star, with SuperPenny commenting: "I am ok if she is the next First Lady. I want another President Kennedy."

Leener Tep agreed, writing: "I think @CherylHines would make a great First Lady!" while josh said: "I'm voting for Cheryl Hines."

Newsweek reached out to Hines, but she declined to comment.

During the event in Philadelphia, RFK Jr. announced that he was abandoning his bid for the Democratic nomination in the presidential primaries, instead choosing to run as a third party candidate.

In response to the news, his siblings Kerry Kennedy, Rory Kennedy, Joseph P. Kennedy II and Kathleen Kennedy Townsend shared a statement on October 9 denouncing his decision, calling it "perilous for our country."

As a Democratic candidate, RFK Jr. struggled to build a following, with polls showing it was highly unlikely he would land the nomination over current president, Joe Biden. Nevertheless, as an independent candidate he may draw votes away from both Biden and Trump, tightening the race between the two major parties.

RFK Jr.'s policies have caused controversy, with the 69-year-old accused of spreading vaccine misinformation and health-related conspiracy theories. His reported comments about Jewish and Chinese people also caused uproar in July, after he allegedly claimed that "COVID-19 is targeted to attack Caucasians and Black people" at a dinner party.

In response, a representative told Newsweek: "Mr. Kennedy does not believe that COVID-19 was 'manufactured to target a specific ethnic group.' He was only using that example to illustrate that such a thing is possible, and should be prevented."

In the past, Hines said that she and her husband had differing views, particularly about vaccines. However, she has since said that she sees "both sides of the vaccine situation."

In June, RFK Jr. told The New York Times that he considered announcing that he and Hines had separated to protect her from scrutiny during his bid for president.

"I felt so desperate about protecting her at a time where my statements and my decisions were impacting her," he told the publication.

However, the couple appear to be putting on a united front, with Hines supporting her husband on the campaign trail.

Newsweek has reached out to Robert Kennedy Jr. for comment via email.

Update 10/13/23, 12:45 p.m. ET: This article has been updated to reflect that Hines declined to comment.