Olivia Nuzzi, a well-known writer for New York Magazine, has accused her ex-fiancé, Ryan Lizza, a prominent political journalist with Politico, of harassing and blackmailing her after their relationship ended. According to Nuzzi, this harassment began while she was secretly involved with Robert F. Kennedy Jr. (RFK Jr.), a former presidential candidate.
In a court filing made in Washington, D.C., Nuzzi claims that Lizza threatened to expose personal details about her to damage her reputation, career, and life. These accusations mark a new, dramatic turn in the fallout from her undisclosed relationship with Kennedy, which has also become a hot topic in the media, stirring conversations about journalistic ethics.
The Secret RFK Jr. Connection
Nuzzi was placed on leave by New York Magazine after admitting she had a personal relationship with someone connected to the 2024 presidential campaign—this turned out to be RFK Jr. She had written a feature on him during his campaign, and their relationship was kept quiet until now. Nuzzi’s involvement with Kennedy, and her reporting on him while being romantically involved, created ethical concerns for the magazine, which is now conducting an independent investigation.
The Harassment Allegations Against Lizza
In mid-August, Nuzzi says Lizza made clear threats to reveal private information about her as revenge for their breakup. She believes this harassment began in July, with Lizza trying to force her back into a relationship, and punishing her when she refused. Nuzzi claims that Lizza went to extreme lengths, including stealing her electronic devices, hacking her, and sending damaging information about her to the media. She also suspects that some of this information was altered to make her look worse.
Nuzzi accuses Lizza of impersonating someone else to leak information about her to a political campaign and says he may have anonymously tipped off her employer about her relationship with Kennedy, leading to her suspension. She also alleges that Lizza threatened her with violence over a joint book project they had been working on.
Legal Action and Court Hearing
Nuzzi was granted a temporary restraining order against Lizza this week, preventing him from contacting her or coming near her or her workplace. The court also authorized her to have police assistance when retrieving her belongings from their shared home. Lizza did not attend the initial court hearing, but he issued a public statement denying the allegations. He expressed disappointment that Nuzzi would make these claims and vowed to defend himself against them.
In response, Politico announced that Lizza is on leave while the company investigates the situation.
Impact on Their Careers
Both Nuzzi and Lizza’s careers have been affected by this personal drama. Nuzzi’s suspension from New York Magazine came after she admitted her relationship with Kennedy violated the magazine’s conflict of interest rules. Similarly, Lizza had already agreed with his editors at Politico that he would stop reporting on Kennedy due to his connection with Nuzzi.
As the situation continues to unfold, the court is scheduled to hold another hearing on October 15, where Lizza will have the opportunity to formally respond to the accusations. Meanwhile, the media world remains captivated by the story, which has raised questions about ethics, power, and personal relationships in the world of journalism.
