Olivia Nuzzi, an established journalist known for her incisive political reporting, has recently found herself at the center of a scandal that has captivated audiences and sparked extensive media coverage. Nuzzi’s forthcoming memoir, American Canto, is a deeply affecting meditation on ambition and forging an identity amid the noise and contradiction of contemporary American life. Her career took a strange turn when news of her non-physical “digital affair” with Robert F. Kennedy Jr. (RFK) came to light. This epiphany led to profound professional and personal disruptions.
The controversy escalated when Ryan Lizza, Nuzzi’s partner and co-author on a book about the 2020 presidential campaign, discovered her involvement with RFK last year. The announcement rocked the world of political journalism. Nuzzi and Lizza, two of the most elite, young, hotshot reporters on the scene today, have chronicled those watershed moments in American political history. After the scandal was brought to light, Nuzzi left Washington and went to Los Angeles, escaping from the storm of media coverage that quickly flooded in.
In media narratives surrounding Nuzzi, many have compared her story to that of Dante in his own Dante-esque journey. Both deeply expound on the poles of corruption and salvation. Marina Hyde, a columnist for The Guardian, turned witheringly on Nuzzi’s experiences. Along the way, she fleshes out the disturbing absurdity of the drama that continues to play out on a daily basis.
Nuzzi’s erotic poetry has become a surprising sensation. Her poems, called “felching poetry,” are graphic and sometimes violent, centering on her relationship with RFK. This unexpected turn in her literary endeavors has prompted discussions about the intersection of personal life and professional identity in the age of social media.
In the aftermath of the scandal, Nuzzi’s lawyer issued a statement to the New York Times, asserting that she would “not dignify efforts to impugn her character with any future response.” This declaration suggests that Nuzzi is determined to reclaim her narrative and focus on her work rather than engage in public disputes over her personal life.
Now media outlets are speculating as to the implication of Nuzzi’s affair and what it means for her career. In the midst of all this, Lizza is writing his own first-person accounts. He remarked on the uncontrollable nature of public scrutiny, stating, “If not tamed, [it] would march through the entire courtyard and kill everything.” More than anything else, this feeling sums up the maddening experience of being on the receiving end of scandalous exposure.
The turgid and controversial nature of this courtship has focused the public’s eye toward an overarching societal perspective on scandal and personal relationships in high-profile careers. As Americans learn how to overcome these challenging problems, Nuzzi’s exciting journey is one we look forward to sharing. It shines a spotlight on the daunting obstacles that all public leaders must face.
In a poignant moment reflecting her emotional state during this tumultuous time, Nuzzi stated, “You cannot outrun your life on fire.” Whether one sees it as a homecoming or a death sentence, this damning metaphor captures the unavoidable truth of having to return to one’s conditions—however oppressive they are.
Even through all the chaos, Nuzzi continues to command audiences in the newly redefined world of political journalism. Until very recently, her story has played out in both established media and in Lizza’s new media, Substack-based publication, Telos. Their two narratives underscore the collaborative nature of their journey and the importance of personal relationships in the pursuit of professional goals.