New York Magazine’s prominent Washington correspondent, Olivia Nuzzi, is on leave after revealing a recent romantic involvement with Robert F. Kennedy Jr. (RFK Jr.), the magazine announced on Thursday.
According to journalist Oliver Darcy, who broke the news, New York Magazine only became aware of the relationship shortly before Nuzzi disclosed it to them.
“Olivia Nuzzi recently informed the magazine’s editors that she had a personal relationship with a former subject relevant to the 2024 campaign during her coverage. This violated our policies on conflicts of interest and disclosure,” a magazine spokesperson said in a statement to Darcy.
The spokesperson added, “If the magazine had known about the relationship earlier, Nuzzi would have been removed from covering the presidential campaign. An internal review of her work has found no inaccuracies or signs of bias. She is now on leave, and the magazine is conducting a thorough third-party review to ensure full transparency. We regret this breach of trust with our readers.”
Nuzzi, 31, clarified in a separate statement on Thursday night that the relationship was never “physical.” She explained that it involved “some communication” that “turned personal.”
“Earlier this year, my communication with a former reporting subject, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., became personal. I did not report on RFK Jr. or use him as a source during that time. Although the relationship was not physical, I should have disclosed it to avoid any appearance of a conflict of interest. I sincerely apologize to my colleagues and readers for the oversight,” Nuzzi stated.
It’s unclear how long the relationship with RFK Jr. lasted, but sources suggest it began after Nuzzi’s November 2023 profile on Kennedy was published. Darcy reported that Kennedy, who is 70 years old, had privately mentioned the relationship.
Kennedy, a 2024 presidential candidate and a known public figure, has been married to actress Cheryl Hines since 2014. This is his third marriage. Meanwhile, Nuzzi and Politico’s Chief Washington correspondent Ryan Lizza got engaged in September 2023.
RFK Jr.’s representatives have not yet commented on the situation, and Cheryl Hines could not be reached for a statement.
This incident, involving a key political figure like Robert F. Kennedy Jr., has sparked discussions about journalistic ethics and conflicts of interest. Readers are now watching closely as the magazine completes its review.
By taking immediate action and conducting a third-party review, New York Magazine is working to rebuild trust with its audience following the Olivia Nuzzi and RFK Jr. affair.
