Cheryl Hines is convinced her recent appearance on The View was a resounding success—but was it really? Here’s the shocking truth: while her husband, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., has been accused of spreading dangerous misinformation about vaccines and public health, Hines seems to think he’s doing an outstanding job. And this is the part most people miss: despite the intense backlash, she’s standing firmly by his side, even promoting her new memoir, Unscripted, amidst the controversy. But here’s where it gets controversial: during her appearance, Hines not only defended Kennedy’s lack of medical qualifications but also echoed some of his most contentious anti-vaxx talking points, leaving many viewers baffled. Let’s break it down.
Written by Erica Schwiegershausen, a senior writer at The Cut specializing in parenting and health, this story dives into the complexities of Hines’s stance. Since Kennedy’s confirmation as Secretary of Health and Human Services, he’s made headlines for all the wrong reasons. From falsely claiming fetuses develop inside the placenta to suggesting—without evidence—that Tylenol given to infants after circumcision causes autism, his statements have sparked widespread concern. Yet, Hines, a former Democrat, remains unwavering in her support.
On The View, co-host Sunny Hostin didn’t hold back, calling Kennedy ‘the least-qualified Department of Health and Human Services head in history.’ Is this a fair assessment, or is there more to the story? Hines countered by highlighting Kennedy’s career as an environmental lawyer, focusing on toxins and health. But here’s the kicker: while he’s studied these topics, critics argue he’s also profited from spreading misinformation about vaccines and autism—a point Hines conveniently sidestepped.
Despite acknowledging vaccines as ‘an important part of our health care,’ Hines doubled down on her husband’s narrative, urging people to ‘listen to parents’ who claim vaccines harmed their children. Is this a legitimate call for empathy, or does it dangerously amplify debunked theories? When Hostin pressed her on Kennedy’s role in spreading chaos and confusion, Hines deflected by accusing Dr. Anthony Fauci of misinformation about COVID vaccines. Who’s really to blame here?
What’s most striking is Hines’s timing. Amid the fallout, she’s promoting Unscripted, a memoir promising ‘humor, wisdom, and unflinching honesty’ about fame, family, and politics. Is this a bold move or a tone-deaf one? Her rep claims she’s ‘not annoyed at all’ by the backlash, but the question remains: did her appearance truly go ‘great,’ or did it expose deeper divides in how we approach public health?
What do you think? Is Hines justified in defending her husband, or is she enabling harmful misinformation? Let’s hear your thoughts in the comments!
