New York Magazine correspondent Olivia Nuzzi has been accused of engaging in a sexting fling with former presidential hopeful Robert F. Kennedy Jr., but Nuzzi denied these allegations initially when pressed by her boss, editor-in-chief David Haskell. However, she later confessed to having a personal rapport with Kennedy. The accusations surfaced when rumors started circulating about the relationship and Haskell began an investigation into the matter. Kennedy’s spokesperson denied one of the claims made in the Daily Beast report about him boasting about having intimate photos of Nuzzi, stating that it was false.
Nuzzi was placed on leave by New York Magazine pending a third-party investigation into the situation, which was described as a violation of the magazine’s standards around conflicts of interest and disclosures. Sources revealed that Nuzzi and Kennedy were not discreet about their flirtation, possibly leading to the eventual discovery by the magazine. Nuzzi had been engaged to Ryan Lizza, the chief Washington correspondent for Politico, during the time of her correspondence with Kennedy, and Lizza later called off the engagement.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has faced accusations of infidelity in the past, including rumors of maintaining information about 43 mistresses in his phone. Although he is married to Cheryl Hines, allegations of unfaithfulness have surrounded him. Kennedy was not seen at a wedding where his relative was getting married amid the scandal, and he was later spotted with a wedding ring when Hines was not wearing hers. Both Nuzzi and Kennedy have spoken very little about their private exchanges, with Nuzzi admitting that the relationship was never physical but should have been disclosed to avoid conflicts of interest.
There have been conflicting accounts regarding who initiated the flirtation between Nuzzi and Kennedy. While some sources claim that Nuzzi aggressively pursued Kennedy and was obsessed with him, others have denied these allegations, stating that both parties were aware of the risks and communicated intermittently. Kennedy’s spokesperson has maintained that he only met Nuzzi once for an interview, which resulted in a critical piece by Nuzzi for New York Magazine. Nuzzi’s reputation as a respected journalist was highlighted through awards and accolades such as being named in Forbes’ “30 Under 30” list and winning an award from the American Society of Magazine Editors. Despite the controversy surrounding her interactions with Kennedy, Nuzzi remains a prominent figure in the journalism industry.
