New York: Political reporter Olivia Nuzzi of New York magazine is at the center of a controversy involving an alleged “sexting” affair with former U.S. presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. According to a report by Puck News published on Friday, September 20, Nuzzi reportedly engaged in a digital relationship with Kennedy, including the exchange of intimate messages and nude photos.
Nuzzi, who met 70-year-old Kennedy while covering his presidential campaign for a feature piece last November, reportedly began the relationship during that time, as reported by The New York Post. The affair came to light after editors at New York magazine were informed of the inappropriate relationship. Nuzzi has since been placed on leave for violating the publication’s ethical standards.
A spokesperson for New York magazine confirmed that Nuzzi had “engaged in a personal relationship with a former subject relevant to the 2024 campaign,” which breached their policies on conflicts of interest. The magazine emphasized that had they been aware of the relationship, Nuzzi would not have continued covering the campaign.
Although Nuzzi has not directly confirmed the exchange of nude photos, Puck News reported that the alleged relationship involved multiple meet-ups, contradicting Kennedy’s claim that they met only once for the interview. In a statement, Kennedy’s spokesperson strongly denied the allegations, calling them “unreservedly and unconditionally false.”
Nuzzi Responds, Admits to Misjudgment
In a statement addressing the situation, Nuzzi acknowledged that the relationship was never physical but admitted she should have disclosed it to avoid any appearance of conflict. “I deeply regret not doing so immediately and apologize to those I’ve disappointed, especially my colleagues at New York,” she said.
According to sources cited by The New York Post, Nuzzi’s superiors were made aware of the affair after the relationship became apparent due to a lack of caution. The first nude photos were allegedly shared around the New Year.
Implications for Both Parties
Kennedy, who is married to actor Cheryl Hines, continues to insist that his interactions with Nuzzi were limited to a single interview, while Nuzzi had been engaged to fellow political reporter Ryan Lizza, though the couple has since split, as confirmed by Lizza in a statement to Politico.
New York magazine has launched an internal review of Nuzzi’s published work, finding no evidence of bias or inaccuracies. However, a third-party review is also underway, as the magazine seeks to address the violation of its readers’ trust.
As the controversy unfolds, it has raised questions about journalistic integrity and the ethical boundaries between reporters and their sources.
