New York magazine political reporter Olivia Nuzzi reportedly sent “disrespectful” nude photos of herself to former presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. during her scandalous “sexting” incident with Kennedy.
Nuzzi's relationship with Kennedy was conducted entirely digitally, but it also included some risqué photos from the 31-year-old Washington correspondent. PacNews reported He said late Friday, citing sources familiar with the matter.
The two allegedly began “sexting” shortly after Nuzzi met with the 70-year-old Kennedy heir for a feature story about the then-presidential candidate published in November, sources previously told The Washington Post.
The star reporter was placed on administrative leave on Thursday after editors at New York magazine became aware of the inappropriate relationship.
Kennedy's team said he and Nuzzi met in person “only once” for the November article, but Pac-News reported Friday that there were multiple meetings.
The Washington Post has reached out to Nuzzi and Kennedy's teams for comment on the reporter's nude photos.
After the shocking news of the couple's affair broke Thursday night, New York magazine reported that Nuzzi “had a personal relationship with a former associate of his 2024 campaign,” a violation of the magazine's standards.
Sources told The Post that despite reports that Nuzzi had confessed to editors, higher-ups at New York magazine were already aware of the relationship and had been questioning Nuzzi.
Nuzzi maintained the relationship “never became physical” and that Kennedy was never used as an informant.
“While the relationship was not physical, it should have been made public to avoid the appearance of conflict. I deeply regret not making it public sooner and I apologize to those I let down, particularly my colleagues in New York,” she said in a statement, without naming Kennedy.
Ms. Nuzzi and Mr. Kennedy (the son of Sen. Robert F. Kennedy and nephew of President John F. Kennedy) allegedly engaged in sexting while Ms. Nuzzi was engaged and Mr. Kennedy was married.
Sources told The Post that the explicit messages were first exchanged around the new year.
A separate source told The Post on Friday that the couple “weren't particularly careful” about keeping their relationship private.
“There's a reason why New York magazine found out about it,” the source explained.
Kennedy has been married to his third wife, “Crazy Love” actress Cheryl Hines, for more than 10 years.
Nuzzi was engaged to fellow political reporter Ryan Lizza in September 2022, but the two called off their marriage.
Lizza confirmed the couple's split in a statement to Politico on Friday, in which she referred to Nuzzi as her “ex-fiancé.”
