Actress Cheryl Hines defended her husband, Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., after “The View” co-host Sunny Hostin challenged Kennedy’s knowledge and qualifications on Tuesday.
Hines appeared as a guest to discuss her memoir, “Cheryl Hines Unscripted,” when Hostin referred to Kennedy as the “least qualified person” to lead HHS. She told Hines that Kennedy spreads misinformation, chaos and confusion.
“It’s just a very dangerous thing,” Hostin said, as Hines tried to interject. “I say it with the utmost respect.”
“Listen, we all have different views here,” Hines replied. “When you say misinformation, disinformation — we could go back to COVID when —”
Hostin cut in to mention Kennedy’s recent claim that circumcision is linked to autism.
“May I finish?” Hines replied. “When people like [former National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Director Anthony] Fauci and others — were saying that when you get the vaccine you cannot transmit COVID, that was disinformation.”
Hostin said that Fauci has a medical degree, but Hines said “they were censoring Bobby” over COVID-19.
“Bobby said, ‘Where’s the science to show us this?'” Hines continued. “And there wasn’t any. But people attacked him and said, you’re wrong. So it’s like, let’s take a step back. I know. That’s your opinion, and that’s OK.”
Kennedy’s remark about circumcision came during a Cabinet meeting last week.
“There’s two studies that show children who are circumcised early have double the rate of autism,” Kennedy said. “It’s highly likely because they’re given Tylenol. Oh, you know, none of this is positive. But all of it is stuff that we should be paying attention to.”
After these remarks, Kennedy slammed news outlets and claimed they distorted what he said.
Several people have criticized his remarks, including former Vice President Kamala Harris, who called Kennedy’s claim “weird.”
“It’s f‑‑‑ed up,” she said before an audience at the Warner Theatre in Washington on Thursday.
Since Kennedy became head of HHS and made changes to vaccine policy and health recommendations, trust in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has dropped to 50 percent, according to a poll released Thursday by KFF. This number was previously at 57 percent in July and 63 percent in September 2023.
