Taylor Lorenz’s Power User Everyone Is Wrong About The Olivia Nuzzi RFK Scandal w/ Kat Tenbarge
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Dec 10, 2025 Kat Tenbarge, a sharp journalist focused on internet culture and politics, joins to unpack the scandal surrounding Olivia Nuzzi, a rising star at New York Magazine. They dive into Nuzzi's controversial affair with RFK Jr. and the ensuing media frenzy, including the release of private texts by her ex-fiancé, Ryan Lizza. The discussion highlights the gendered backlash against Nuzzi and critiques of journalistic ethics in the coverage. Kat and Taylor explore the complexities of access journalism and the implications of the attention economy on personal lives.
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Fast Rise Of An Access Journalist
- Olivia Nuzzi rose rapidly as a personality-driven access journalist who specialized in immersive profiles.
- Her style traded antagonism for cultivated access to powerful figures, which shaped her career trajectory.
First Breakthrough In 2013
- Taylor Lorenz recalls first noticing Olivia Nuzzi in 2013 after a tell-all about an Anthony Weiner campaign internship.
- That early viral moment launched Nuzzi into a rapid media career while she was still a student.
Gendered Double Standards In Scandal
- Reaction to Nuzzi's affair was overwhelmingly focused on her while men involved faced little scrutiny.
- The media's response revealed strong gendered double standards in accountability.
