Olivia Nuzzi Plots Comeback After RFK Jr. Scandal
Olivia Nuzzi's fall from grace was as swift as it was public. Once a rising star in political journalism, the 31-year-old reporter found herself ousted from New York magazine after revelations reportedly surfaced about an alleged secret "digital" affair with Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the then-presidential candidate who later became President Trump's health secretary. The scandal, fueled by leaked sexts, intimate photos, and a tangled web of personal and professional betrayals, exploded across Washington, D.C., and Los Angeles, leaving Nuzzi's career in ruins by mid-2025.
But now, the grim-faced comeback queen is plotting her return, with talks reportedly underway for a writing role at Vanity Fair and a scripted AMC series in development. This is a story of a scandal that threatens the fragile veneer of journalistic ethics, a tale of emotional entanglement, and a woman refusing to stay buried.
The Digital Affair That Shook D.C.
The supposed affair between Olivia Nuzzi and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. was never meant to see the light of day. According to The Daily Beast, it reportedly began after Nuzzi's 2023 profile of Kennedy, conducted at his $6.6 million Brentwood, California, home during his presidential run. Though Kennedy was married to actress Cheryl Hines, the two allegedly engaged in a year-long "personal relationship" that was emotional and "digital" in nature, involving sexting and the exchange of intimate photos. Nuzzi has maintained, the relationship was "never physical," but the emotional intensity and digital intimacy were enough to derail her career.
New York magazine cut ties with Nuzzi after an internal review found no inaccuracies or "evidence of bias" in her reporting but concluded that had the relationship been disclosed, "she would not have continued to cover" the 2024 presidential campaign, as reported by The Daily Beast. The scandal broke after Kennedy allegedly bragged to friends about possessing intimate photos of Nuzzi, prompting the magazine's editor-in-chief to confront her. After initially denying the affair, Nuzzi reportedly admitted to it later, leading to her suspension and her departure from the publication.
Legal Battles and Personal Fallout
The scandal's fallout extended beyond professional consequences. Olivia Nuzzi's personal life was rocked as her engagement to Ryan Lizza, POLITICO's chief Washington correspondent, collapsed amid the revelations. The two reportedly launched a messy legal battle against each other, with Lizza filing court documents alleging that Nuzzi described her relationship with Kennedy as "toxic" and "unhealthy," marked by a significant power imbalance, as reported by PEOPLE. Lizza also denied accusations of harassment and blackmail, insisting that everything he knew about the affair came directly from Nuzzi herself.
Kennedy's spokesperson has consistently denied the allegations, stating he met Nuzzi only once for an interview that produced a "hit piece," as reported by PEOPLE. The legal filings and public statements reveal a tangled narrative of manipulation, betrayal, and conflicting accounts, with the court proceedings between Lizza and Nuzzi still ongoing.
Plotting a Comeback: Vanity Fair and AMC
Despite the scandal's damage, Olivia Nuzzi is not ready to fade into obscurity. Vanity Fair's new editor, Mark Guiducci, has reportedly spoken with Nuzzi about a potential writing role as he prepares to revamp the magazine's lineup. This opportunity signals a possible return to mainstream media for Nuzzi, who has been quietly working on other ventures since her departure from New York magazine.
Adding to her comeback narrative is the development of a scripted AMC black-comedy series titled "A Message from the State," co-written and executive-produced by Nuzzi. The show centers on a D.C. reporter breaking away from mainstream media, a storyline that mirrors Nuzzi's own turbulent journey. While the series remains in development with no confirmed release date, it represents a bold step toward regaining her voice and career.
Cheryl Hines Finally Speaks — and Stands Firm
Meanwhile, nearly a year after the scandal that sparked divorce whispers and wedding‑ring drama, Cheryl Hines at last broke her silence in a sit‑down with The Wall Street Journal, and it's as much a power move as a public statement.
When pressed about the chaos of 2024 — including the explosive sexting scandal involving her husband and Olivia Nuzzi — Hines refused to get dragged into the details. Instead, with calm defiance, she brushed it off: "I don't think there's any point to going through every rumor and headline to try to defend or explain it," the actress said, as reported by Parade.
Behind the screen‑testing remarks, she made one thing crystal clear: she and Bobby still trust each other. "Bobby and I talk about everything, so that's how we move through everything ... we're really good friends, and we trust each other," she said. According to USA Today, she then delivered the sort of defiant response every comeback needs: "One would deduce that we love each other and are still married and whatever we've been through is behind us."
But she didn't stop there — Hines also signaled ideological shifts in her interview with WSJ, surprising skeptics by aligning more closely with her husband’s controversial "Make America Healthy Again" (MAHA) agenda. The vaccine-skeptical initiative now includes her unconditional backing — even his choice to guzzle raw milk didn't faze her. According to PEOPLE, she admitted, "Something like that doesn't worry me or scare me," and added, "I feel very connected to MAHA."
Watching a Career Implode and Rise Again
Olivia Nuzzi's story is a stark reminder of how personal choices can collide with professional responsibilities, especially in the high-stakes world of political journalism. The scandal exposed vulnerabilities in journalistic ethics, raising questions about disclosure, conflicts of interest, and the blurred boundaries between reporters and their subjects.
For readers watching from the sidelines, it is a dramatic saga of ambition, desire, and downfall. For Nuzzi, it is a test of resilience and reinvention. Whether her comeback will fully restore her standing remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: the scandal has left an indelible mark on her career and the media landscape.
References: Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s 'Digital Lover' Olivia Nuzzi Plots Comeback After Nuking Her Career | Kara Swisher Played a Secret Role in Breaking RFK Jr.'s Sexting Scandal | RFK Jr. Wanted to 'Possess' and 'Impregnate' Journalist Olivia Nuzzi, Her Ex Alleges in Court Filing | What Cheryl Hines Says About Those RFK Jr. Marriage Turmoil Rumors Causing a Stir | Cheryl Hines speaks out about Robert F. Kennedy Jr. marriage: 'We trust each other' | Cheryl Hines Breaks Silence on RFK Jr. Marriage Rumors Nearly a Year After His Sexting Scandal with Journalist Olivia Nuzzi
