New York magazine has placed reporter Olivia Nuzzi on leave following an investigation into her personal relationship with Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who was a 2024 presidential candidate. The relationship violates the magazine's conflict of interest and disclosure standards.
Following an internal investigation, New York magazine has placed reporter Olivia Nuzzi on leave for violating its conflict of interest and disclosure standards. The magazine's investigation revealed that Nuzzi engaged in a personal relationship with a key figure in the 2024 presidential race, reportedly former candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
Nuzzi released a statement Thursday night acknowledging that she had engaged in "personal" communications with a former reporting subject but denies having a physical relationship with them. She does not name Kennedy in her statement.
Olivia Nuzzi's Relationship with Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Raises Ethical Concerns at New York Magazine
"Earlier this year, the nature of some communication between myself and a former reporting subject turned personal," Nuzzi said. "I did not directly report on the subject nor use them as a source. The relationship was never physical but should have been disclosed to prevent the appearance of a conflict. I deeply regret not doing so immediately and apologize to those I've disappointed, especially my colleagues at New York."
A Kennedy spokesperson has also denied any sort of physical relationship, stating that Kennedy only met Nuzzi once for an interview, which resulted in a negative article.
Olivia Nuzzi's Relationship with Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Raises Ethical Concerns at New York Magazine
"Mr. Kennedy only met Olivia Nuzzi once in his life for an interview she requested, which yielded a hit piece," the Kennedy spokesperson told Fox News Digital.
New York magazine stated that had it been aware of Nuzzi's relationship, she would have been removed from reporting on the campaign.
Olivia Nuzzi's Relationship with Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Raises Ethical Concerns at New York Magazine
"Had the magazine been aware of this relationship, she would not have continued to cover the presidential campaign. An internal review of her published work has found no inaccuracies nor evidence of bias," the magazine said.
According to Status, a recently launched media blog, the person Nuzzi allegedly engaged in a relationship with is Kennedy, who is married to actress Cheryl Hines. The report states that she did not proactively disclose her relationship with Kennedy to New York magazine and that the alleged relationship began after a November 2023 profile on Kennedy was published.
Nuzzi has made headlines recently for her reporting on President Biden and former President Trump. Her story on Biden's mental decline and the "conspiracy of silence" surrounding it was published shortly before Biden exited the 2024 race. She also penned a profile of Trump following the assassination attempt against him in July.
This incident raises ethical concerns about the potential for conflicts of interest in journalism. It is essential for reporters to maintain objectivity and avoid situations that could compromise their integrity.
New York magazine's handling of the situation demonstrates its commitment to upholding its standards and investigating any potential violations.
The investigation into Nuzzi's relationship with Kennedy is ongoing, and further details may emerge in the future.
