Cheryl Hines recounts her ‘surprising’ first meeting with Trump: ‘He was a very genuine person’

WASHINGTON, DC: Actress Cheryl Hines, wife of Robert F Kennedy Jr, has explained how she underwent a complete turnaround in thinking about Donald Trump, from one of keen scepticism to a "true believer."

This and other revelations were made during a two-hour promotional discussion with Tucker Carlson to promote her new memoir, 'Unscripted'.

Hines at first grappled with her husband's decision to put his own 2024 bid on hold and support Donald Trump. She acknowledged that she squirmed a bit when speaking of the "learning process" of backing a man she once labeled "ridiculous and disrespectful."

Cheryl Hines shares skeptical first impression

The first time that ‘Curb Your Enthusiasm’ star encountered Trump was soon after the attempt on his life in July 2024. Hines' prior expectations were influenced by her "Hollywood circle," which she had said despised Trump.

She used as an example a 2020 episode of 'Curb Your Enthusiasm' in which Larry David's character sports a MAGA cap to intentionally "repel" those he doesn't wish to meet, adding, "Which is funny, but also true!"

Against this backdrop, Hines admitted, "I was expecting something else. I was expecting uh I think I was expecting somebody who didn't listen to other people, wouldn't be interested in other people."

Cheryl Hines’ surprising encounter with Donald Trump

The encounter was a stark contrast to how she imagined. Cheryl Hines remembered how immediately after Trump shook her hand, she automatically perceived him as a "very genuine person," which was "surprising."

She went on to describe the sincerity of the encounter, saying, "And that's not, that's not who I met."

She went on to paint a picture of the unexpected side of the president: "I met somebody who was very interest in other people, really wanted to hear what somebody else had to say."

In other words, "charm offensive" was clearly working, eventually gaining Hines' endorsement of her husband's move to join Trump's campaign and, in doing so, providing his much-needed MAHA (Make America Healthy Again) constituency.

RFK Jr's hesitation before getting onboard MAGA train

In a second interview with Carlson last August, Robert F Kennedy Jr confirmed the intensity of Hines' initial repulsion. He explained that he first turned down a sit-down with Trump because he “just thought it was a non-starter with Cheryl.” 

It was Hines herself who worked past her initial hesitation and encouraged him to proceed, saying to her husband, "You should hear him out." After being encouraged by her, Kennedy then got on board the MAGA train with Hines, now publicly supporting him.

Although Hines once publicly expressed criticism about Trump, her transition to more positive interactions with the former President has occurred. While he has not been quoted to say a positive statement about her in the available context, a photo features Trump and Hines smiling and talking together at a UFC event in April 2025.