'I agonized over it': Behind the scenes with the reporter who uncovered the RFK Jr./Olivia Nuzzi story

 

One of the nation's most prominent journalists has revealed she had a "personal" relationship with RFK Jr. Olivia Nuzzi, known for her high-impact political reporting at New York magazine, is now on leave. This revelation marks a significant development in the media world and is a major scoop for Oliver Darcy, the former CNN media reporter who ventured out on his own just last month.

Even in a year filled with explosive political news, this revelation stands out: Olivia Nuzzi, a star political journalist at New York magazine, is now on leave after the publication discovered her recent inappropriate relationship with Robert F. Kennedy Jr.—the former presidential candidate now backing Donald Trump.

In a statement, New York magazine said Nuzzi’s actions constituted "a violation of the magazine’s standards regarding conflicts of interest and disclosures" and apologized for "this breach of our readers' trust." Nuzzi also issued an apology for not disclosing her "personal" relationship sooner. While neither Nuzzi nor New York explicitly named RFK Jr., both have declined to refute reports identifying him as the individual in question.

This news is also a major victory for journalist Oliver Darcy, the former CNN media reporter who broke the story. Darcy left CNN in August to start his own newsletter, Status, and since then, has landed a series of high-profile scoops. However, none have made waves like this one in the media world.

In an interview, Darcy reflected on the story's significance, explaining that it raises serious questions about conflicts of interest in journalism. "Olivia is one of the most high-profile political journalists in America," Darcy noted, adding that readers might question whether her reporting, especially on the 2024 campaign, was influenced by her relationship with RFK Jr., a key figure in the race.

Although Nuzzi has stated that her reporting wasn’t impacted by the relationship, Darcy highlighted the perception problem it creates. "Even if it wasn’t, the issue of disclosure remains, and that’s why this matters."

For Darcy, this scoop is not only the biggest since he launched his independent venture but also a test of balancing important journalism with the sensitivity of people's private lives. "I agonized over it," he admitted, but ultimately felt it was a necessary story given the potential consequences for journalistic i

ntegrity.