Ryan Lizza Claims Olivia Nuzzi’s Relationship with RFK Jr. Was “Toxic” in Shocking Legal Battle
Ryan Lizza Claims Olivia Nuzzi’s Relationship with RFK Jr. Was “Toxic” in Shocking Legal Battle
In a whirlwind of allegations and revelations, Ryan Lizza, the former fiancé of journalist Olivia Nuzzi, has made startling claims about her purported year-long relationship with Robert F. Kennedy Jr.The 31-year-old reporter for New York Magazine stands at the center of a storm involving accusations of blackmail, harassment, and intense emotional manipulation.
The Allegations
According to recent court documents obtained by major news outlets, including CNN, The Daily Beast, and the Wall Street Journal, Nuzzi accuses Lizza of leaking details about her alleged relationship with the 70-year-old former presidential candidate following an interview she conducted with him last November. Nuzzi further claims that Lizza attempted to blackmail her in a bid to reconcile, intensifying the already fraught dynamic between the two.
Lizza, currently the Chief Washington Correspondent for Politico, refuted these claims in his legal filing, stating that he discovered Nuzzi had been involved with a married man for nearly a year. Kennedy has been married to actress Cheryl Hines since 2014. Lizza's court filing alleges that Nuzzi expressed fears regarding Kennedy's desire to "control," "possess," and even "impregnate" her, painting a picture of a toxic and manipulative relationship.
A Toxic Dynamic
In his court documents, Lizza detailed Nuzzi's own characterization of her relationship with Kennedy, which she described as "toxic," "unhealthy," "stupid," "psychotic," "crazy," and "indefensible." He noted that Nuzzi acknowledged the significant power imbalance between herself and Kennedy, which led to what Lizza described as "catastrophically reckless behavior" on her part. He suggested that Kennedy had manipulated her throughout their relationship, further complicating her emotional state.
Despite Lizza's promises to help Nuzzi navigate her troubled situation, he expressed doubts about the possibility of a future together. “Ms. Nuzzi resisted any efforts to formally end our relationship and continually asked for more time to consider our future," Lizza stated. “This was her position right up until our final conversation on September 15th.”
Denying Harassment and Blackmail Claims
Lizza vehemently denied Nuzzi's accusations of harassment and blackmail, stating, “Everything I know about her affair comes directly from Ms. Nuzzi herself.” He also rejected claims that he hacked into her devices or threatened her with physical violence, labeling those allegations as "defamatory lies." Instead, he claimed he merely encouraged her to repay an advance related to a book deal, stating this was "the second presidential cycle in a row where Ms. Nuzzi's personal indiscretions have sabotaged our book project."
A representative for Kennedy responded to Lizza's allegations, asserting that Lizza's portrayal of the relationship is "not true." They previously denied any meaningful relationship between Kennedy and Nuzzi, emphasizing that "Mr. Kennedy only met Olivia Nuzzi once in his life for an interview she requested, which resulted in a hit piece."
The Fallout
In his filing, Lizza also mentioned that he was not the source for the reporter who initially revealed Nuzzi's alleged affair, referencing Oliver Darcy from New York Magazine. "Ms. Nuzzi is aware of this because the reporter informed her," he stated. Furthermore, Lizza characterized Nuzzi's claim that he attempted to blackmail her as "a shameful falsehood that contradicts the simplest facts."
According to CNN, both Lizza and Nuzzi have been placed on leave from their respective positions as the drama unfolds. A court hearing involving the two is set for next month, with both individuals bracing for what promises to be a contentious legal battle. As the world watches, the intersection of personal relationships and professional lives remains under intense scrutiny.
