The secret relationship between RFK Jr. and Olivia Nuzzi is a bombshell in both the media and political world
Olivia Nuzzi, New York Magazine’s Washington correspondent, has been placed on leave after revealing that she had a personal relationship with RFK Jr. for much of 2024.
The scandal has raised concerns about conflicts of interest in journalism, given that RFK Jr. featured in one of her recent stories.
New York Magazine put Washington, D.C., correspondent Olivia Nuzzi on leave after learning she allegedly engaged in a romantic relationship with Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a source told THR https://t.co/TTJzwHwqpu
— The Hollywood Reporter (@THR) September 23, 2024
In fact, New York Magazine issued a statement justifying its decision to place Nuzzi on forced leave, confirming that the journalist had failed to meet its disclosure standards regarding personal relationships that could influence her reporting on the election campaign.
News of an intimate relationship between RFK Jr. 70, and Olivia Nuzzi, 31, emerged amid reports that they had traded personal messages shortly after Nuzzi published a story on RFK Jr.
These personal exchanges reportedly began in December 2023 and continued until the end of August.
Although he wasn’t her main subject during their alleged secret relationship, she continued to cover the 2024 presidential race, when RFK Jr. was a candidate.
New York Magazine points out that if the magazine had known about the relationship, she would not have continued her coverage of the presidential campaign.
RFK Jr. has been married to Cheryl Hines, the actress known for her role as Cheryl David in Curb Your Enthusiasm, since 2014. She is 59 years old. Olivia Nuzzi, meanwhile, was engaged to Politico Playbook journalist Ryan Lizza, but they broke off their engagement.
It’s unclear whether these events were related to their separation. Politico and Lizza himself have stated that, because of his connection with the affair, he would not cover stories about Kennedy.
At a time when the media faces a variety of challenges, including criticism of its credibility, this affair certainly raises many questions from the public about Olivia Nuzzi’s journalistic ethics.