New York Magazine Put Reporter On Leave After Relationship With RFK Jr.
New York magazine’s Washington correspondent Olivia Nuzzi has been placed on leave following revelations of a personal relationship with a key figure in the 2024 presidential race, reportedly Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. The magazine announced the decision after an internal investigation uncovered the relationship, which Nuzzi herself acknowledged violated the publication’s ethical standards regarding conflicts of interest.
In a statement released Thursday, New York magazine confirmed that Nuzzi had engaged in personal communications with a former subject of her reporting relevant to the 2024 campaign. While Nuzzi denied any physical relationship with the individual—widely reported to be Kennedy—she admitted that their interactions had turned personal, a fact she failed to disclose to her editors.
“Earlier this year, the nature of some communication between myself and a former reporting subject turned personal,” Nuzzi said in her statement. “I did not directly report on the subject nor use them as a source. The relationship was never physical but should have been disclosed to prevent the appearance of a conflict. I deeply regret not doing so immediately and apologize to those I’ve disappointed, especially my colleagues at New York.”
Kennedy, who briefly launched a campaign for the Democratic nomination in 2024 before suspending his bid and endorsing Donald Trump, denied any significant relationship with Nuzzi. A spokesperson for Kennedy stated that the two had only met once for an interview that led to a less-than-flattering feature on the candidate.
“Mr. Kennedy only met Olivia Nuzzi once in his life for an interview she requested, which yielded a hit piece,” the spokesperson said.
The relationship, while reportedly beginning after the November 2023 profile on Kennedy, has raised concerns about journalistic ethics and conflicts of interest. New York magazine emphasized in its statement that had the editors been made aware of the situation, Nuzzi would have been removed from campaign coverage.
“Had the magazine been aware of this relationship, she would not have continued to cover the presidential campaign,” the magazine stated. However, an internal review of Nuzzi’s published work found no evidence of bias or inaccuracies. The magazine further explained that it is conducting a more comprehensive third-party review to ensure transparency and accountability.
Nuzzi’s leave comes at a particularly sensitive time for both the journalist and the magazine. She had recently gained attention for her critical reporting on both President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump. Earlier this year, her in-depth piece on Biden highlighted concerns about the president’s cognitive decline, which sparked backlash within Democratic circles. Her report discussed the “conspiracy of silence” surrounding Biden’s mental health, adding to the pressure that eventually led to his decision to exit the 2024 race.
Nuzzi also drew headlines for a profile she penned on Trump following an assassination attempt against him in July. With her bold and controversial reporting, Nuzzi has become a notable figure in political journalism, but the recent revelations regarding her personal communications with Kennedy now threaten to undermine her professional credibility.
Adding further intrigue, the media blog Status broke the story, revealing details about the timeline of Nuzzi’s alleged relationship with Kennedy and her failure to disclose it to her editors. According to Status, the relationship did not begin until after her Kennedy profile was published, and she did not use him as a source for any further reporting on the 2024 campaign.
The controversy has also drawn renewed attention to Nuzzi’s relationship with other media outlets. Bloomberg reportedly canceled promotion of her six-episode series “Working Capital” after left-wing backlash over her report on Biden. The backlash, tied to her coverage of the president’s declining mental state, has further complicated her standing within progressive media circles.
As New York magazine continues its investigation, questions linger about the potential consequences for Nuzzi’s future in journalism. While her personal and professional boundaries have come under scrutiny, her work has yet to be found lacking in integrity by the magazine. Nonetheless, this latest incident will likely cast a long shadow over her career, especially given the high-profile nature of her subjects and the sensitive nature of the allegations.