Olivia Nuzzi Admits Fault in RFK Scandal: "I Did Something Wrong"

Journalist Olivia Nuzzi has spoken publicly for the first time regarding the controversy surrounding her reported online involvement with 2024 presidential contender and Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. On the Bulwark podcast hosted by Tim Miller, Nuzzi admitted, Shame matters, and I messed up. I did something wrong, and those rules exist for a reason.

The comments come after the launch of her memoir American Canto, in which she discusses the incident without directly naming Kennedy. On the podcast, she addressed her connection to the HHS secretary, including whether she offered him campaign guidance. I cared about him. I loved him. But I didnt think it was my role to give him advice, Nuzzi explained.

She reflected on her mindset at the time, describing it as deluded, thinking that a private relationship wouldnt gain public attention even as Kennedys campaign struggled in the polls. Then it exploded online and collided directly with the events I was covering, she admitted.

Nuzzi avoided directly answering whether a romantic element was involved but discussed the nature of their closeness. We were both often alone and traveling. I was avoiding confronting my own personal choices. I wasnt happy and I was acting cowardly, she said.

She emphasized that her book was not intended as a tell-all about Kennedy, balancing personal disclosures with her professional experiences covering political figures, including President Trumps media portrayal over the past decade. My job was to engage with challenging figures, like Donald Trump, and interpret them for the public, Nuzzi stated.

The journalist also addressed recent claims by her former fianc, Ryan Lizza, who alleged she had an affair with former U.S. Representative Mark Sanford during his 2020 presidential campaign, over a year after the Kennedy-related events. Nuzzi called his accusations part of a humiliation campaign, blending elements of personal vendetta and public exposure. This media frenzy has destabilized my life. Its shocking and disturbing to see harassment treated as anything else, she added.

Author: Olivia Parker