Political Journalist's 'Digital Relationship' with RFK Jr Sparks Scandal
A prominent American journalist stands accused of engaging in a 'digital relationship' with presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr while covering his campaign, according to explosive allegations from her former fiancé.
Olivia Nuzzi, the 32-year-old former New York Magazine journalist, allegedly participated in an online romance with the 71-year-old independent candidate that included exchanging explicit poetry. The claims emerged from a Substack post published on Saturday by Ryan Lizza, her 51-year-old ex-fiancé and fellow journalist.
Pattern of Powerful Relationships Revealed
Lizza's revelations paint a picture of Nuzzi's ascent through journalism accompanied by relationships with influential older men. He claims she previously cheated on him with former South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford, 65, during the 2020 presidential campaign.
The ex-fiancé described discovering a love note Nuzzi had written to Sanford that fell from her bag in 2020. "If I swallowed every drop of water from the tower above your house, I would still thirst for you," the message allegedly read.
Lizza expressed professional concern, writing: "She had crossed a journalistic red line. How could we write a book about the presidential campaign if Olivia had a sexual relationship with one of the candidates?"
Previous Relationship with Media Personality
Before dating Lizza, Nuzzi allegedly had a relationship with former MSNBC host Keith Olbermann, 66. According to Lizza's account, Olbermann paid for her college education and provided substantial financial support including Tom Ford dresses, $15,000 worth of Cartier jewellery, Manhattan apartment rent, and furnishings.
"While Keith, who was 34 years older, was generous, there were strings attached," Lizza claimed, adding that they eventually "hatched a plan for her escape."
Olbermann responded on social media, confirming their four-year relationship and defending his generosity, while posting a Matrix-style "dodging bullets" GIF in apparent reference to the scandal.
Consequences and Denials
The alleged digital relationship with Kennedy began while Nuzzi was covering his 2024 presidential campaign. Lizza published examples of their correspondence, including one message from Kennedy that read: "Yr open mouth awaiting my harvest."
While Nuzzi acknowledges an "emotional relationship" with Kennedy, she denies it affected her professional coverage. Nevertheless, New York Magazine placed her on leave when the allegations surfaced. She has since moved to Vanity Fair.
Kennedy, who is married to actress Cheryl Hines, has denied any relationship occurred, with his spokesperson stating he only met Nuzzi "once in his life" for a requested interview.
Lizza maintains he published the evidence to counter what he calls a "campaign of misinformation" by his former fiancée, describing Kennedy as "one of the most consequential policymakers in America."
