New York magazine has announced a mutual decision to terminate its relationship with prominent political journalist Olivia Nuzzi, following revelations regarding a personal digital connection with a source during her coverage of the 2024 election campaign.
On Monday, the magazine published a statement indicating that both an internal review and an external investigation by a law firm found no problems relating to Nuzzi’s reporting accuracy or bias. Despite these findings, the publication and Nuzzi came to the conclusion that parting ways would be the most appropriate action.
In a note shared with readers, the publication expressed appreciation for Nuzzi’s unique talents as a writer, highlighting her nearly eight-year tenure as their Washington correspondent. They wished her the best in her future endeavors.
Last month, a newsletter known as Status, which first reported the story, along with The New York Times, cited unnamed sources identifying Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as the source of Nuzzi’s personal relationship. Nuzzi has not substantiated these claims, and Kennedy stated that he had only met her on one occasion.
David Haskell, New York magazine’s editor in chief, explained in a communication to staff that Nuzzi indicated the relationship had started in December following the publication of her profile on Kennedy in November. According to Haskell, the relationship reportedly concluded in August. Haskell also noted that if the magazine had known about the personal connection, it would have barred Nuzzi from covering the presidential race.
In her prior statement to Status, Nuzzi disclosed that the nature of her communication with the source turned personal at the start of the year. She clarified that she did not report on this individual nor utilize them as a source during that time frame. Nuzzi emphasized that while the relationship was never physical, she acknowledged that it should have been disclosed to avoid any appearance of conflicts of interest. She expressed deep regret for not doing so sooner and offered apologies, particularly to her colleagues at New York.