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…

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.

‘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.

‘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.’