Olivia Nuzzi of Vanity Fair criticizes Ryan Lizza for sharing what she deems damaging 'revenge porn'

Vanity Fair editor Olivia Nuzzi has sharply criticized her former fianc, Ryan Lizza, accusing him of sharing damaging material she describes as revenge porn. Both journalists have recently captured media attention due to their complicated personal affairs.

Prior to the release of Nuzzis latest book, American Canto, Lizza published a series of posts on his Substack platform, Telos News, alleging that Nuzzi had been romantically involved with Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and former South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford. In one post, Lizza shared what he claimed was a love letter Nuzzi, now 32, sent to Sanford in March 2020, during her coverage of the 2020 presidential election when Sanford was a candidate. He quoted lines including: If I swallowed every drop of water from the tower above your house, I would still thirst for you.

Lizza also published excerpts of erotic poetry he said Kennedy, 71, sent to Nuzzi in 2024. Nuzzi had interviewed Kennedy as a presidential candidate for New York Magazine. Lizza cited Kennedy writing: Yr open mouth awaiting my harvest. Drink from me Love.

Responding on Emily Sundbergs Substack newsletter Feed Me, Nuzzi described Lizzas claims as another attempt to harass, humiliate, and harm me until I am as destroyed as he seems to be. It is abuse that I am all too familiar with now relocated to the public square and dressed up as some sort of noble crusade. She added that any information of genuine public interest should have been handled responsibly by submitting it to an independent outlet, rather than publishing what she called obsessive, invasive material that fails to meet journalistic standards.

In reply to Nuzzi, Lizza told The Independent, Telling the truth is not harassment.

Nuzzis new book, released Tuesday, recounts her relationship with a man referred to as The Politician, widely believed to be Kennedy. Kennedy has been married to actress Cheryl Hines since 2014. A spokesperson for Kennedy told Vanity Fair in September 2024 that Mr. Kennedy only met Olivia Nuzzi once in his life for an interview she requested. The Independent has reached out to Sanford for comment.

Author: Sophia Brooks