Olivia Nuzzi’s much-anticipated memoir, “American Cunt,” was released today.
In the realm of memoir publishing, this feels a bit unusual. Perhaps it’s more fitting to describe it as a media whirlwind.
Nuzzi, a former Washington correspondent for New York Magazine, has parted ways with the publication after news broke of her “personal relationship” with the married Robert F. Kennedy Jr. We covered Kennedy Jr. in 2023 while he was campaigning for the presidency, which adds a layer of complexity.
It’s quite the downfall for Nuzzi, who once seemed poised to be a significant player in political journalism.
But before her career took a nosedive, Nuzzi’s narrative transformed into an absurd drama, revealing the egos and dysfunction that surround power in the United States.
Vanity Fair, which appointed Nuzzi as West Coast editor in September, showcased excerpts from her book; however, much of the feedback on social media has not been kind. It came off as pretentious, and while she has much to say, it often feels like she says very little.
On the same day as her book release, her former fiancé and fellow journalist Ryan Rizza kicked off a series of retaliatory posts on his new Substack, Telos News.
This back-and-forth began with a dispute regarding a presidential candidate that Nuzzi had profiled, which Rizza claims is false. Nuzzi asserts she never had a physical relationship with Kennedy, referring to him simply as a “politician” throughout her memoir.
The drama touches on Mark Sanford, a former South Carolina Governor famous for disappearing on the Appalachian Trail in 2009, only to be found in Argentina with a mistress.
Rizza’s revelations don’t stop there; he hints at scandalous topics and notes that Kennedy expressed a desire to have a child with Nuzzi. He also delves into his past relationship with the infamous Keith Olbermann, who, notably much older than Nuzzi, reportedly funded her education and provided lavish gifts.
It appears Rizza has a knack for delivering information with theatrical flair, though some of his claims are still pending deeper revelation. Will his accusations be as impactful as, say, the performance of the New York Giants in 2025? Time will tell.
Who knows? Maybe there’s more to come that could severely damage Nuzzi’s reputation.
In recent discussions surrounding political secrets, she’s often portrayed as manipulative and controlling, with some characterizing her as a modern femme fatale.
Critics have even likened her writing to a less effective imitation of Joan Didion, dubbing her “Joan Midion.” According to Rizza, she’s an unreliable journalist with dubious ethics.
It’s quite the mixed bag of opinions, and yet, she undoubtedly brings an intriguing presence.
Honestly, I have a certain affinity for her.
At just 32, Nuzzi feels like a nod to a more colorful era in media, one filled with characters whose actions were as compelling as their stories.
She emerged during the #MeToo movement, a time when some men were rightfully called out while others suffered consequences for less significant offenses. The portrayal of women as powerless has lingered—often, they’re painted as victims of oppressive men and engrained “power dynamics.”
Interestingly, Nuzzi doesn’t adhere to that narrative. In “American Cunt,” she avoids playing the victim card; instead, she takes accountability, calling out Kennedy, who is significantly older and known for his past infidelities. The memoir doesn’t include the typical self-help platitudes common in the discourse of many millennials or Gen Z influencers. There’s no talk of “truth” or “lived experiences.”
Instead, she exudes ambition and possesses a sharp observational style.
At one point, she details a near-crisis that forced her to crash-land a plane, an unusual metaphor illustrating her need to truly connect with the stories and people she covers.
Many journalists seem to skip this vital process these days. Maybe it’s a combination of laziness and an unwillingness to engage with half the nation.
Reports suggest her new role may be at risk, with management considering whether her past actions cross an ethical boundary. Still, it’s hard to overlook how Nuzzi embodies a certain charisma that’s increasingly rare in glossy publications like Vanity Fair.
