Olivia Nuzzi Parts Ways with New York Magazine Following Controversy

 

Political writer Olivia Nuzzi has officially left New York magazine just over a month after being placed on leave due to revelations about her personal relationship with Robert F. Kennedy Jr. The magazine announced her departure in a statement on Monday afternoon.

In its announcement, New York magazine clarified that a law firm they engaged to evaluate Nuzzi’s reporting on the 2024 campaign, which included a detailed profile of Kennedy, found “no inaccuracies nor evidence of bias” in her coverage. However, both the magazine and Nuzzi mutually agreed that separating was the best path forward. They acknowledged her as a “uniquely talented writer” and expressed pride in publishing her work during her nearly eight years as their Washington Correspondent.

Nuzzi’s attorney also released a statement affirming that she was pleased but not surprised by the investigations confirming her reporting was sound and without wrongdoing. The statement highlighted her successful tenure, stating, “For nearly eight years, she consistently produced critically celebrated and hugely popular journalism.” Nuzzi expressed gratitude to her colleagues and readers, stating she looks forward to the next chapter in her career.

Nuzzi’s departure follows her admission to the magazine's editors that she had engaged in a personal relationship with Kennedy while covering his presidential campaign. The magazine described this as a violation of its standards concerning conflicts of interest and disclosures. They noted that had they known about the relationship, Nuzzi would not have been allowed to cover the campaign.

The magazine initially placed her on leave on September 19, when they stated an internal review found no inaccuracies in her reporting but acknowledged the breach of trust with readers. Nuzzi later confirmed the relationship, explaining that some communications with a former reporting subject “turned personal” but emphasized that she did not report directly on Kennedy during that time. She expressed regret for not disclosing the relationship sooner, admitting it could create a perceived conflict of interest.

Nuzzi's profile on Kennedy came during his high-profile Independent campaign for the presidency, which he later suspended to endorse Donald Trump. A spokesperson for Kennedy previously stated that he only met Nuzzi once for an interview, describing her piece as a “hit piece.”