Robert F. Kennedy’s Niece Joins WWE Amid Company’s Ties to Trump Administration

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and wife Cheryl Hines’s niece, Zoe Hines, was announced as one of WWE NXT’s newest recruits on Wednesday, April 28.

The former college athlete, 23, had attended an open tryout for WWE in August 2025, sharing her experience on social media.

“Grateful for the opportunity, the experience, and the people. Honored to represent @wwe at the 2025 SummerSlam Tryout,” Hines captioned a series of photos at the time.

She was ultimately chosen as one of four who will train as part of WWE’s weekly NXT television program.

According to professional wrestling journalist Dave Meltzer, however, Hines’s talent and athleticism were not necessarily the determining factor in the company’s decision.

“I certainly heard a lot about Zoe Hines, I would say six months ago, and it was very much, like, this is one that was politically forced on them,” Meltzer, said during a live stream on Thursday, April 30, according to People. “She’s a real athlete, she’s a softball player. But when she had her tryout, it’s not like she knocked them dead or even knocked them even.”

President Donald Trump and his cabinet have close ties to the WWE, including former co-owner Linda McMahon, who currently serves as U.S. Secretary of Education.

“It was very much said that it was a forced hiring because of who she was and because of Robert F. Kennedy and Linda McMahon both being in the cabinet, and you know, she just wanted to try,” Meltzer added. “It was like [Dwayne Johnson‘s daughter] Simone Johnson, it’s the same thing.”