New York Mag puts politics writer Nuzzi on leave for 'personal relationship,' allegedly with RFK Jr.

New York Magazine has put writer Olivia Nuzzi on leave after revelations about a personal relationship she had with a "reporting subject," allegedly with Robert F. Kennedy Jr., an independent 2024 presidential candidate. 

“Earlier this year, the nature of some communication between myself and a former reporting subject turned personal," Nuzzi said  in a statement in response to news reports that broke late Thursday night about the matter.

"During that time, I did not directly report on the subject nor use them as a source. The relationship was never physical but should have been disclosed to prevent the appearance of a conflict. I deeply regret not doing so immediately and apologize to those I’ve disappointed, especially my colleagues at New York.”

According to media reporter Oliver Darcy, the relationship was with Kennedy, who is married.

Nuzzi wrote a profile of Kennedy in November 2023. Her personal relationship with him reportedly began after the profile was published.

The magazine said Nuzzi's relationship with the subject was a "violation of the magazine’s standards around conflicts of interest and disclosures" and confirmed that she has been placed on leave. 

"Had the magazine been aware of this relationship, she would not have continued to cover the presidential campaign," a magazine spokesperson said. "We regret this violation of our readers’ trust," read a note to readers on the magazine's website."

An internal review of Nuzzi's published work found no inaccuracies nor evidence of bias and the magazine is conducting a more thorough third-party review, the spokesperson also said. 

A spokesperson for Kennedy denied the relationship.

“Mr. Kennedy only met Olivia Nuzzi once in his life for an interview she requested, which yielded a hit piece,” the spokesperson said.