Actress Cheryl Hines Gives RFK Jr. A ‘Strict Ultimatum’ After Sexting Scandal Bombshell

Cheryl Hines has reportedly laid down the law with Robert F. Kennedy Jr. following his alleged affair.

The controversy first emerged in September when it was revealed that Robert F. Kennedy Jr, who is married to Cheryl Hines, had allegedly engaged in a sexting scandal with 32-year-old journalist Olivia Nuzzi.

According to The Daily Mail, the "Curb Your Enthusiasm" star delivered a “strict ultimatum” to Kennedy, demanding he relocate her from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C., where he now serves as the head of the Department of Health and Human Services under President Trump’s administration.

An insider told the outlet, “Cheryl doesn’t feel Bobby can be trusted one iota living on his own, in D.C., even part-time, with so many attractive women and Kennedy groupies around, as he gets settled in his powerful new position.” The source added, “So she’s given him a strict ultimatum ... move me or else.”

The 59-year-old actress is reportedly still reeling from the “emotional shock and pain” of Kennedy’s alleged affair, which left her feeling “blindsided.” Hines is said to be willing to trade her glamorous Hollywood lifestyle for the political scene of D.C.’s Georgetown to keep a close watch on her husband.

32-year-old New York Magazine reporter Olivia Nuzzi admitted to the relationship after Kennedy reportedly boasted about receiving inappropriate photos from her via text.

After the news broke, the outlet placed Nuzzi on leave:

“Recently our Washington Correspondent Olivia Nuzzi acknowledged to the magazine’s editors that she had engaged in a personal relationship with a former subject relevant to the 2024 campaign while she was reporting on the campaign, a violation of the magazine’s standards around conflicts of interest and disclosures. Had the magazine been aware of this relationship, she would not have continued to cover the presidential campaign.”

Meanwhile, Hines appeared without her wedding ring on several occasions, fueling speculation about the state of her marriage. However, she later showed support for Kennedy at his confirmation hearing and other public events.

Despite the controversy, the couple put on a united front over the weekend at the UCSD Cancer Center Starry Starry Night Gala at the Chaparral Country Club in Palm Desert, California. Kennedy was honored with an award and gave a speech, with sources telling Page Six that the duo was “gracious and warm with everyone in attendance.”

Hines’ decision to move to D.C. appears to be more than just about supporting Kennedy’s political career. The actress reportedly wants to avoid a repeat of last year’s scandal, with sources claiming she fears Kennedy’s “lust demons” could reemerge if he lives as a “part-time bachelor” in the nation’s capital.

Despite the ongoing scandal, Hynes showed unwavering support for her husband following the death of his mother, Ethel Kennedy.

In a heartfelt post on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter, RFK Jr. paid tribute to his late mother, describing her as “intensely loyal” and a role model for “self-discipline, resilience, and self-confidence.” He wrote, “My mother invented tough love, and she could be hard on her children when we didn’t live up to her expectations. But she was also intensely loyal, and we always knew that she would stand fiercely behind us when we came under attack by others.”

Hines responded with a touching comment. “This is beautiful," she said. "Your mother was very proud of you.”

At the time, insiders speculated that Hines, who married Kennedy in 2014, might not stand by him.

"I’ll be shocked if Cheryl stays," a source told the New York Post. "[Kennedy’s] always been known as a flirt and more, even Cheryl knows that. But it seemed like at least publicly he was faithful [until now]. It’s not good for Cheryl in Hollywood.”

Author Jerry Oppenheimer, who has written extensively about the Kennedy family, added to the speculation, saying, “Any woman who gets involved with Bobby does so with her eyes open, or their brains lopped off. Any woman who thinks they’re going to change Bobby is misguided and purposefully ignorant.”