EXCLUSIVE – The REAL reason Ben Affleck denied knowing Kick as he desperately tries to ‘erase’ RFK’s daughter from his life amid Jennifer Lopez divorce: It never ends with this guy| HO

Ben Affleck is desperately trying to ‘erase’ Kick Kennedy from his life over fears their connection will negatively affect his divorce from Jennifer Lopez – with insiders adding that he’s also worried about being associated with Donald Trump.

Earlier this week, a rep for the Oscar winner, 52, had denied reports that he is dating Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s daughter, 36, amid his split from the Love Don’t Cost a Thing singer, 55, and even cast doubt on the duo knowing each other.

The denial came after multiple sources had alleged that Ben and Kick had been ‘hanging out’ and that they had previously dated before Ben had rekindled his relationship with JLo.

And now, sources have told DailyMail.com that Ben is putting his connection with Kick on pause over concerns it could be detrimental to his divorce proceedings, and his fears about being connected to Trump after Kick’s father endorsed him.

‘Ben should have said nothing,’ one insider said. ‘He tried to erase Kick from his existence, and it was just not fair for her, or for anyone who knows her.

Ben Affleck is desperately trying to ‘erase’ Kick Kennedy from his life over fears their connection will negatively affect his divorce from Jennifer Lopez, sources claim

Insiders have claimed that Ben, 52, has been ‘hanging out’ with RFK Jr.’s daughter Kick, 36, in recent weeks

‘He is trying to pull the “I don’t know her” card but what he failed to realize is that they weren’t the only two people in the world that knew that they used to hook up, or that they were hanging out again.

‘He fears that this will affect his divorce and, even though there was no overlap, saying he didn’t even know her was not the right move.’

Another insider claimed that Ben ‘doesn’t like the intrusion that comes with celebrity, like dealing with his name in the news all the time – and he didn’t like the DNC mention.’

They continued: ‘And now, when it comes to Kick, he is worried about being connected to Trump in the wake of her father’s endorsement.

‘Given the current political climate Ben is putting the brake on Kick.

‘But not only because of the Trump connection. He is also concerned about what JLo would think.’

On Tuesday, Ben’s rep Jen Allen told PEOPLE that he is not dating Kick.

She said: ‘There is no truth to any of it. I don’t know if they even know each other.’

Ben and Kick previously enjoyed a brief fling before he rekindled his relationship with Jennifer, 55, in 2021 (Pictured in Arlington, VA in June 2018)

Although it is also not clear how Ben and Kick initially met, the daughter of RFK Jr. has an interest for the entertainment industry – she is also a philanthropist and activist

On Wednesday, sources claimed Jennifer was ‘very upset’ with Ben amid rumors that he has been ‘hanging out’ with Kick again in recent weeks.

‘It’s really hit her hard. She’s very upset and disappointed with Ben,’ they told People.

Last week, insiders revealed to DailyMail.com that Kick and Ben had been ‘enjoying spending time’ together, but that the writer is remaining ‘tight-lipped’ about their connection because she doesn’t want to be seen as a ‘mistress.’

‘Ben and Kick had a fling before he got back together with JLo,’ the source began. ‘They met because Ben is from Boston and when you live in Boston, the Kennedy family is royalty.’

The insider continued: ‘So when he started hanging out with Kick, he legit thought that he had landed into the Kennedy family. But she was too young and not ready for anything serious.’

The source stressed that the pair’s romance did not ever overlap with the actor’s rekindled relationship with Jennifer as they continued: ‘They didn’t have any affair during his marriage, but it is interesting to Kick’s friends that as soon as this divorce happened all of a sudden Ben is hanging out with an old hookup whose family he sees as royalty.’

As for how Kick views the actor, the insider stated: ‘She thinks that he is intelligent and very much her style but is being incredibly tight-lipped because she does not want to be seen as a mistress.

Kick pictured with her dad Robert Kennedy Jr. and step-mom  Cheryl Hines in 2015

‘She is not a mistress. She is nothing like JLo and likes to keep her private life private.’

The source explained that Kick isn’t wasting much time worrying about how Jennifer might feel about Ben’s decision to reconnect as they added: ‘Kick is fond of Ben, and she does not care what JLo thinks honestly.

‘When they started hanging out, he and JLo were separated. He made this very clear with her. JLo listing their separation as April only confirmed this.’

The source continued: ‘They are both taking it day by day but so far, she is enjoying spending time with him. They hang out at Beverly Hills Hotel because it offers a level of privacy to celebs that nowhere else does.

‘The fact that people say she looks like Jen Garner is flattering to her as she thinks Jen is beautiful.’

Meanwhile, a second source confirmed that the pair were simply getting to know each other better as they stated: ‘Ben has been spending time with Kick but there is nothing there yet.

‘They are friends and enjoy hanging with each other and it is true that she really doesn’t have any thoughts about what JLo would think of her spending time with Ben. He’s a great guy and they are getting to know each other.’

Although it is also not clear how Ben and Kick initially met, the daughter of RFK Jr. has an interest for the entertainment industry.

Kick, born Kathleen Alexandra, is an actress who has enjoyed small parts in several TV shows and movies, including Curb Your Enthusiasm, starring her stepmother Cheryl Hines, 58, who tied the knot with RFK Jr. in 2014.

Her most recent role was as a ‘lazy tourist’ in 2021’s Fear and Loathing in Aspen.

She is a graduate from Stanford University in California where she studied both history and theater.

The actress has a social media presence, boasting 17.1 k followers on Instagram, but hasn’t posted anything there since August 24, 2023, in which she appeared with a Saker falcon.

She has mingled with other celebrities such as Taylor Swift, who notably dated her brother Conor in 2012.

According to her IMDB page, she is an actress and writer, as well as a philanthropist and activist.

Kick’s mother is Emily Ruth Black, who was married to RFK Jr. from 1982 until 1994, when he tied the knot with Mary Richardson. They divorced in 2010. Two years later, she committed suicide. Kick has five other siblings.

After months of split rumors, Jennifer officially pulled the plug on her marriage to Ben when she filed for divorce on August 20.

She cited ‘irreconcilable differences’ as the reason for the split, and listed April 26, 2024 as the official separation date.

Ben and The Wedding Planner actress first started dating in 2002 after bonding on the set of the film Gigli, and they quickly got engaged.

But they called it quits in 2004, just before they were set to become husband and wife.

They both went on to wed other people – she exchanged vows with Marc Anthony in 2004, while Ben walked down the aisle with Jennifer Garner in 2005 – but after splitting from their respective partners, they eventually got back together in 2021.

The superstar couple first tied the knot at a chapel in Las Vegas in July 2022, followed by a larger and lavish ceremony at his Georgia estate the following month.

It was recently revealed that Ben and Jennifer had ‘planned’ their divorce before she officially filed.