• Claim: Donald Trump deliberately snubbed actress Cheryl Hines during a handshake attempt at UFC 314 in Miami.

• Rating: False — The incident was misinterpreted and lacks supporting evidence of intent.

Why This Fact Check Matters

In an age where public perception is often shaped by fleeting clips and quick reactions, accurate reporting plays a critical role in restoring nuance and credibility to public discourse. Viral doesn’t mean verified.

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Fact Check: Did Donald Trump Snub Cheryl Hines at UFC 314? Here's What Really Happened
Moment Donald Trump brutally 'snubs' RFK Jr.'s wife Cheryl Hines at UFC 314 leaving her stunned

Key Takeaways

• Date of Incident: April 12, 2025

• Location: UFC 314, Kaseya Center, Miami

• Viral Claim: Trump ignored Cheryl Hines’ handshake

• Reality: Trump later greeted her; the “snub” claim is false

• Sources: Cheryl Hines’ publicist, Trump administration officials, photographic evidence

The Viral Video: A Snub or a Misunderstanding?

A short video from UFC 314 on April 12, 2025, showing former President Donald Trump walking past actress Cheryl Hines without shaking her outstretched hand, sparked a wave of speculation online. The footage, recorded at the Kaseya Center in Miami, shows Trump entering the arena to cheers, flanked by several public figures, including Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Hines’ husband.

As Trump greets Kennedy, Hines is seen reaching out with her hand—but Trump appears to pass her by. Within hours, the clip was trending on X (formerly Twitter), with many claiming the former president "snubbed" the Curb Your Enthusiasm star in front of a live audience.

Context Matters: What the Footage Doesn’t Show

While the clip made for easy headlines, it doesn’t tell the full story.

In a statement to Fox Digital, Cheryl Hines’ publicist Ann Gurrola offered clarification:

“President Trump did not intentionally ignore Cheryl. It was a misunderstanding in a very fast-moving moment. He later returned to greet her directly.”

This account is supported by a senior administration official who confirmed that Trump spoke with Hines and Kennedy backstage before the main card began. Moreover, photographs later surfaced showing Trump chatting with both Hines and RFK Jr. inside the venue.

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Supporting Evidence: Trump Did Greet Hines

A photo shared by several users on X shows Trump standing with Cheryl Hines and RFK Jr. in a candid conversation. One widely circulated post read:

“No, President Trump didn’t snub Cheryl Hines. He missed her hand in the moment and circled back after greeting Joe Rogan and Daniel Cormier.”

This version of events not only aligns with witness reports but also underscores the chaotic nature of high-profile entrances at UFC events. Trump is a frequent attendee of UFC fights, and entrances are often orchestrated for maximum crowd impact—not for long-form meet-and-greets.

Why This Went Viral: Politics, Optics, and Social Media

The optics of a perceived snub—especially involving figures tied to both Hollywood and politics—are irresistible clickbait. Hines, as both a comedic actress and wife of a Cabinet member, sits at a unique cultural intersection.

Add Donald Trump to the equation, and a few seconds of awkward body language can easily spiral into a trending narrative. But as this incident illustrates, virality doesn’t equal veracity.

This also plays into a broader trend of social media driving reaction-first, fact-later discourse, where short clips become the basis for national conversations without context or confirmation.

Conclusion: No Intentional Snub Took Place

The evidence—eyewitness accounts, photographic proof, and public statements—clearly contradicts the viral claim. While Trump may have overlooked Cheryl Hines' handshake in the moment, he did eventually acknowledge her, as confirmed by both her team and official sources.

♦ Verdict: No, Donald Trump did not snub Cheryl Hines. The incident was a momentary oversight, not a political slight.

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