Bradley Whitford is criticizing Cheryl Hines after the actress released a statement supporting her husband, Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
The first one West Wing the star has targeted the ex Curb your enthusiasm star after Kennedy dropped out of the presidential race and endorsed Donald Trump last week.
Hines responded to her husband’s decision with a measured statement that did not endorse Trump in a similar way, but noted: “Over the last year and a half, I have met extraordinary people from all parties: Democrats, Republicans and independents. My experience is that the vast majority of people across the party lines are genuinely good people who want the best for our country and for each other. It has been an enlightening, transformative and captivating journey.”
Whitford — who supports Democratic candidate Kamala Harris — contrasted on Xwriting sarcastically: “Hey Cheryl Hines, what a way to remain silent while your moody husband lends his support to a self-confessed rapist who brags about depriving women of their basic rights. Brave. A great example for young men. A great example of courage.”
Both Hines’s refusal to publicly criticize her husband’s support for Trump and Whitford’s comment received backlash on social media. But Kennedy hinted that Hines was unhappy behind the scenes.
“I am so grateful to my wonderful wife Cheryl for her unconditional love as I make a political decision she is very uncomfortable with,” he wrote on X (formerly Twitter). “I wish the same for the country: love and unity even in the face of disagreement. We will need it in the times ahead.”
Kennedy's family, however, has publicly criticized him. Five of Kennedy's siblings said in a statement posted on Instagram: “We want an America filled with hope and united by a shared vision of a brighter future, a future defined by individual freedom, economic promise, and national pride. We believe in Harris and [running mate Tim] Walz. Our brother Bobby's decision to endorse Trump today is a betrayal of the values our father and our family hold dear. It is a sad end to a sad story.”
Kennedy had previously explained that he was withdrawing from the race because he couldn’t win and so as not to be a “party pooper” in swing states. “In my heart, I no longer feel like we have a path to victory,” he said. “Our polls have consistently shown that staying on the ballot in swing states would deliver the votes to the Democrats.”