Exclusive: Olivia Nuzzi’s Explosive Tell-All on Her Alleged Digital Affair With RFK Jr. Leaves Cheryl Hines “In Shock and Distress,” Sources Reveal
A new political and personal storm has erupted around Robert F. Kennedy Jr. after reports surfaced that journalist Olivia Nuzzi is preparing to publish a tell-all book detailing an alleged sexting relationship with the former presidential candidate. According to an exclusive report by the New York Post, Kennedy’s wife, actress Cheryl Hines, is said to be “in shock and distress” after learning that Nuzzi’s upcoming memoir will include intimate details and private messages exchanged between the two.
Nuzzi, who rose to prominence covering U.S. politics for New York Magazine and later Vanity Fair, allegedly began communicating with Kennedy during his 2024 campaign. Sources claim the relationship started professionally but evolved into months of private online interactions that blurred ethical boundaries. Although Nuzzi insists the connection was “personal, not physical,” the upcoming book—titled American Canto—is expected to revisit the entire saga in detail, reigniting a scandal that briefly derailed both her career and Kennedy’s reputation.
The Post reports that Nuzzi’s manuscript has already been acquired by a major publisher and is set for release in December 2025. Insiders describe the tone as “raw, confessional, and deeply uncomfortable,” with excerpts including direct transcriptions of messages between the journalist and the political figure. For Kennedy, now serving as Secretary of Health and Human Services under President Trump, the book could present new challenges as he seeks to maintain his image as a reform-minded public servant.
Cheryl Hines, who married Kennedy in 2014, has weathered multiple controversies throughout their marriage, from political blowback to online scrutiny. Yet those close to her say this revelation feels different. “She was blindsided,” one source told The Post. “She thought the entire situation was behind them, and now it’s being written into a book that the entire country will read.”
Nuzzi’s professional life was also upended after the affair came to light. New York Magazine placed her on administrative leave in 2024, citing conflict-of-interest concerns, before parting ways months later. At the time, she defended her conduct as “poor judgment, not professional compromise.” Since then, she has been rebuilding her career while quietly preparing her memoir, which she reportedly views as both a personal reckoning and a broader critique of political journalism’s inner culture.
The controversy has reignited fierce debate in Washington media circles about boundaries between journalists and political figures. Some see Nuzzi’s forthcoming account as a necessary exposé of power and vulnerability in American politics, while others criticize her for turning private conversations into public spectacle.
Supporters of Kennedy argue that the story reflects yet another media obsession with sensationalism. “It’s typical Washington theater,” said one Republican strategist. “A personal mistake from years ago is being repackaged for profit and headlines.” Still, Democrats sympathetic to Hines describe the ordeal as “heartbreaking,” noting her longstanding poise and public grace.
What makes the situation even more charged is its timing. Kennedy has re-entered national headlines as a visible Trump administration figure, advocating for transparency and medical freedom reforms. His critics worry that Nuzzi’s narrative could overshadow his work, while his allies believe the tell-all will ultimately be seen for what it is—an attempt to profit from political proximity.
The book’s publication is expected to dominate year-end political coverage, with early excerpts already generating fierce online debate. In a political climate where public and private lives constantly collide, the story of Kennedy, Hines, and Nuzzi underscores how fragile reputations can be—and how, in modern America, no story truly stays buried.
