Political correspondent Olivia Nuzzi has officially left New York Magazine, a decision that follows the revelation of her personal relationship with Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a former subject of her reporting relevant to the 2024 presidential campaign. Nuzzi disclosed this relationship earlier this year, leading the magazine to place her on temporary leave while it conducted an internal review.
In a statement released on Monday, New York Magazine, which is owned by Vox Media, confirmed Nuzzi’s departure. The publication had engaged the law firm Davis Wright Tremaine to evaluate Nuzzi’s reporting during the 2024 campaign. The law firm’s findings aligned with the magazine’s initial internal assessment, concluding that there were no inaccuracies or bias in Nuzzi’s work. However, the magazine stated that both parties agreed it was in their best interest to part ways.
“Olivia is a uniquely talented writer, and we have been proud to publish her work over her nearly eight years as our Washington Correspondent,” the statement read. “We wish her the best in her future endeavors.”
Nuzzi had previously written a profile of Kennedy Jr. that was published in November 2023. The piece, titled “The Mind-Bending Politics of RFK Jr.’s Spoiler Campaign,” examined his candidacy as a third-party candidate for U.S. president. It described him as both conservative and liberal, suggesting he could significantly influence the presidential race. Nuzzi indicated that her relationship with Kennedy Jr. had not begun prior to the publication of that profile.
The controversy escalated further in July 2024, when Nuzzi published an article titled “The Conspiracy of Silence to Protect Joe Biden.” In this piece, she detailed troubling accounts from Democratic officials and activists regarding their interactions with President Biden. Just weeks later, Biden announced the end of his reelection campaign, with Vice President Kamala Harris stepping in as the Democratic presidential candidate.
In the wake of these developments, New York Magazine expressed regret over the situation. In its statement, the magazine noted that had it been aware of Nuzzi’s relationship with Kennedy Jr., she would not have continued covering the presidential campaign. “We regret this violation of our readers’ trust,” the magazine added.
Ari Wilkenfeld, an attorney representing Nuzzi from Alan Lescht & Associates, commented on the matter, stating, “Ms. Nuzzi is gratified though not surprised that two different investigations have determined that her reporting on the 2024 campaign was sound and that she did nothing wrong.” He emphasized her significant contributions to journalism during her tenure at New York Magazine, where she was recognized for her critically acclaimed work as Washington Correspondent.
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Nuzzi has expressed her gratitude for the experiences and relationships she built while at the magazine. In a previous statement, she acknowledged that the nature of her communication with a former reporting subject turned personal but maintained that she did not directly report on him or use him as a source during that time. She clarified that the relationship was “never physical” but noted that it should have been disclosed to avoid any appearance of a conflict of interest.
With her departure from New York Magazine, Nuzzi is poised to embark on the next chapter of her career. Her body of work over nearly eight years has made her a prominent voice in political journalism, and many are eager to see what she will pursue next.
As the political landscape continues to evolve leading up to the 2024 election, the implications of Nuzzi’s departure and the ethical considerations surrounding her reporting will likely remain a topic of discussion within journalism circles. The importance of transparency and maintaining the trust of readers is underscored by this situation, a reminder of the challenges that journalists can face in navigating personal relationships while covering their subjects.
Nuzzi’s future endeavors in political journalism will be closely watched, as she has built a reputation for engaging storytelling and incisive analysis. As she moves forward, the lessons learned from her time at New York Magazine may shape her approach to reporting in the years to come.
