Olivia Nuzzi Steps Back From New York Magazine Amid RFK Jr. Relationship Allegations

NY Mag Staffer Placed on Leave After Newsroom Tensions Escalate

Olivia Nuzzi, a prominent staff writer for New York Magazine, has been placed on leave amid allegations of a romantic relationship with Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the environmental activist and vaccine skeptic. The news was first reported by the Daily Beast, which cited multiple sources familiar with the matter.

Nuzzi has written extensively about Kennedy for New York Magazine, including a 2020 profile that explored his anti-vaccine activism. According to the Daily Beast, Nuzzi's relationship with Kennedy has been an open secret within the magazine's newsroom for months, leading to tensions among some staff members.

Accusations of Conflict of Interest

Some New York Magazine staffers have raised concerns about Nuzzi's ability to maintain objectivity in her reporting on Kennedy, given their alleged relationship. The magazine has a policy against staffers having romantic relationships with subjects of their coverage.

In a statement to the Daily Beast, New York Magazine editor-in-chief David Haskell said that Nuzzi had been placed on leave "while we review the situation." Haskell added that the magazine "takes seriously our commitment to journalistic ethics and independence."

Nuzzi Responds to Allegations

Nuzzi has not publicly commented on the allegations. However, she has reportedly told colleagues that she did not believe her relationship with Kennedy violated the magazine's ethics policy, as she had not written any articles about him since they began dating.

Kennedy has also denied any wrongdoing. In a statement to the Daily Beast, he said that he and Nuzzi were "just friends" and that he had "never asked her to do anything for me."

Fallout at New York Magazine

The allegations against Nuzzi have sparked a debate within the media industry about the ethics of journalists having relationships with sources. Some argue that such relationships can compromise a journalist's objectivity, while others believe that they can provide valuable insights.

The situation at New York Magazine has also raised questions about the magazine's handling of the allegations. Some staffers believe that the magazine should have taken action sooner to address the concerns about Nuzzi's relationship with Kennedy.