Ryan Lizza Accuses Olivia Nuzzi of Sharing Opposition Research

Journalist Ryan Lizza has made serious allegations against his ex-fiancée, fellow journalist Olivia Nuzzi, claiming she shared “opposition research” with Robert F. Kennedy Jr. during his 2024 presidential campaign. This revelation comes as part of Lizza’s ongoing examination of Nuzzi’s conduct, including her alleged infidelity while they were dating.

Olivia Nuzzi, formerly with New York Magazine, reportedly had a romantic relationship with Kennedy while profiling him for the magazine. Lizza is currently publishing a series of articles on his Substack newsletter, Telos News, where he scrutinizes Nuzzi’s professional and personal decisions. His latest article, titled Catch and Kill, was released on November 26, 2025.

Allegations of Political Operative Behavior

In his recent piece, Lizza asserts that Nuzzi became a “private political operative for Bobby Kennedy.” He claims that she admitted to him that throughout 2024, she was actively canvassing sources who trusted her to obtain opposition research on Kennedy, which she then communicated directly to his campaign.

Lizza detailed an incident where Nuzzi was allegedly approached by a “young campaign aide,” who provided an inside account of the chaotic decision-making process that led to Kennedy selecting Nicole Shanahan as his running mate. Instead of pursuing the story, Lizza claims that Nuzzi encouraged the aide to remain loyal to RFK Jr. and later relayed the information to the candidate.

In August 2024, Kennedy acknowledged a past incident involving the carcass of a bear cub placed in Central Park in 2014. He stated that he disclosed this information due to an impending article from The New Yorker that included the anecdote. Following his confession, the publication released a profile detailing the incident, written by reporter Clare Malone.

Professional Rivalry and Nuzzi’s Upcoming Memoir

Lizza’s article also touches on Nuzzi’s perceived rivalry with Malone. He claims that Nuzzi viewed Malone as a competitor and was “desperate” to acquire an early copy of The New Yorker article. Lizza characterized this behavior as stemming from “professional jealousy,” noting that Nuzzi had previously worked on her own profile of RFK Jr. Furthermore, he alleges that Nuzzi had been informed about the bear story from a confidential source and chose to collaborate with Kennedy to suppress the story rather than report it.

In a broader reflection on Nuzzi’s journalistic integrity, Lizza questions her professional conduct in these matters. While Nuzzi is currently preparing to release a memoir titled American Canto, it is expected to detail her alleged digital affair with Kennedy. Although she does not mention his name directly, the memoir references “the politician,” leading many to assume it pertains to RFK Jr. The memoir is set for publication on December 2, 2025.

As these developments unfold, the implications for both journalists and their professional ethics continue to be a topic of significant interest in the media landscape.