Friends of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. are rushing to his defense amid allegations that New York Magazine journalist Olivia Nuzzi aggressively pursued him, sending risqué photos even after being blocked. The controversy has ignited a media firestorm, with Kennedy’s supporters alleging Nuzzi persistently harassed him, while Nuzzi’s camp denies these claims, calling the situation far more complex.
According to a source close to Kennedy, “She targeted him pretty hard. Bobby was blocking her continually. It was a little scary. She was obsessed with him. I think she still is.” The source suggested Nuzzi’s advances escalated after she first interviewed Kennedy during his independent presidential run, turning a professional interaction into a messy digital scandal.
Kennedy’s friends insist that he was repeatedly bombarded with provocative messages and photos, forcing him to block her on multiple occasions. However, the Daily Beast reported that Nuzzi allegedly continued contacting Kennedy using different numbers and emails.
Nuzzi’s camp has strongly pushed back against these allegations, stating, “It’s absolutely untrue that she was the aggressor. Both parties were aware of how high pressure and high risk the circumstances were, and for that reason, their communication was very on and off.” They argue the situation is far from the one-sided narrative presented by Kennedy’s allies.
Journalist Jessica Read Kraus, a close friend of Kennedy, added more fuel to the controversy, stating that Nuzzi had contacted Kennedy after being blocked, claiming she had urgent information about a hit piece. “He unblocked her for that conversation,” Kraus said, “but later that night, she sent him a provocative picture, prompting him to block her again.
Once unblocked, she bombarded him with increasingly pornographic photos and videos.” Kraus also revealed that Kennedy is planning to file a civil lawsuit against Nuzzi, accusing her of deliberate entrapment. Nuzzi, in a statement reported by The Independent, acknowledged the personal nature of their communication, saying, “Earlier this year, the nature of some communication between myself and a former reporting subject turned personal.
The relationship was never physical but should have been disclosed to prevent the appearance of a conflict.” She expressed regret for not reporting the situation sooner. As the fallout continues, New York Magazine has placed Nuzzi on leave pending an investigation into her conduct.
Kennedy’s team continues to assert that no romantic relationship existed between the two, maintaining that they only met once professionally for an interview. Despite these claims, some critics point to Kennedy’s past struggles with fidelity, outlined in his 2001 diaries, as a reason to question his version of events.