New Insights from Olivia Nuzzi’s Book

In her latest book, former New York Magazine reporter Olivia Nuzzi shares her experiences assisting Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as he considered potential endorsements during his presidential campaign. Nuzzi recounts that she didn’t feel comfortable giving him direct advice, unsure if she could definitively guide his choices.

“He asked me what to do,” she wrote. “I didn’t think it was my place to offer prescriptive advice related to most things.” Yet, Nuzzi felt she could share her understanding of the political landscape, especially her experiences with President Trump, which offered insight into the consequences of aligning with him. She noted the challenges RFK Jr. faced in deciding whom to support for the 2024 election.

Nuzzi’s book, titled “American Canto,” was released recently and refers to Kennedy simply as a “politician” throughout, avoiding specific names. It’s worth mentioning that her departure from the magazine last year followed public revelations about a close relationship with RFK Jr. during her interviews with him.

Reflecting on Kennedy’s political dilemmas, Nuzzi adopted a question-based approach. “How do you feel when you think about supporting the Democratic Party?” she asked. His answer: “I feel nauseous.” The same reaction followed when she posed the question about the Republican Party. The intensity of his emotions was evident, and she remarked that she had never seen him so anxious and insecure.

As the West Coast editor of Vanity Fair, Nuzzi now warns that if Kennedy persists in the race, it could jeopardize his chances of achieving goals he aimed to address through policy rather than mere activism. She explained that, while she offered different perspectives, even her best intentions often led to unexpected outcomes.

In one episode, she recounted how she advised Kennedy to be proactive about navigating media challenges, suggesting that he should “get ahead of the conversation.” She adopted a strategy of addressing potentially damaging stories before they could spiral out of control, a tactic she believed politicians would find appealing.

During an interview, Nuzzi expressed remorse, stating, “I did something wrong.” She recognized the importance of ethical guidelines and admitted to violating them. While President Kennedy’s office did not respond to requests for comments, a spokesperson previously denied any claims of a physical relationship, asserting that Kennedy only met Nuzzi once.