U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced on March 5, 2026, that his niece Zoe Hines has signed a developmental contract with WWE, crediting Education Secretary Linda McMahon for her involvement. The statement came during a joint appearance at the University of Florida promoting nutrition training for future doctors. Kennedy quipped about needing good doctors to treat her after matches.
On March 5, 2026, at the University of Florida, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services, revealed that his niece, Zoe Hines, has signed a developmental contract with WWE to pursue a career as a wrestler. He credited U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon, stating, “Linda McMahon has become a very close friend – My niece Zoe Hines recently signed a contract with WWE, which Linda has a lot to do with, to become a wrestler, and I’m really looking forward to knowing so many good doctors who can treat her after.” A slightly varied version of the quote from the event described it as, “Lina has become a very, very close friend and my neice, Zoe Hines, recently signed a contract with WWE – which Linda has a lot to do – to become a wrestler,” followed by the quip about doctors.
Zoe Hines is the daughter of Rebecca Hines and Laurent Boye. Rebecca is the sister of actress Cheryl Hines, who is married to Kennedy, making Zoe his niece by marriage. Sources differ on her athletic background: one reports she was a cheerleader and standout softball player at the University of Florida, while another states she was a former Boston College softball player. In August 2025, during SummerSlam weekend in New Jersey, Hines participated in a WWE tryout at the Performance Center. She shared on Instagram, “Grateful for the opportunity, the experience, and the people,” and “Honored to represent WWE at the 2025 SummerSlam Tryout.” WWE Chief Content Officer Paul Levesque publicized her participation and athletic background on social media.
The signing highlights ties between WWE and the Trump administration. Linda McMahon co-founded WWE with her husband Vince in 1980 and served as CEO until 2009; Levesque, known as Triple H and her son-in-law, serves on the President’s Council on Sports, Fitness & Nutrition, collaborating with Kennedy on restoring the Presidential Fitness Test phased out under the Obama administration. The McMahon family has long-standing connections to Donald Trump, including his WWE Hall of Fame induction and hosting WrestleMania at his properties. WWE, the Department of Health and Human Services, and the Education Department did not respond to requests for comment.
