Vanity Fair has severed ties with political journalist Olivia Nuzzi following internal tensions sparked by remarks she made on an independently produced podcast. The decision, confirmed by a spokesperson for the magazine, came after Nuzzi discussed and critiqued a colleague’s reporting during an episode of American Canto, the Substack program she co-hosts with journalist Ryan Lizza.
Multiple outlets reported that Nuzzi’s on-air comments centered on a recently published article involving independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. While the exact phrasing of her critique was not disclosed, the discussion was characterized as internal editorial commentary that conflicted with Vanity Fair’s policies regarding public remarks about colleagues’ work. According to the spokesperson, the magazine viewed the episode as a “breach of trust” and emphasized that staff members are expected to uphold established professional standards.
Nuzzi, who had served as Vanity Fair’s Washington correspondent for roughly six years, saw her profile removed from the publication’s website shortly after the decision was made. In a brief statement posted to X, she expressed respect for her former colleagues, writing that she remained proud of the journalism produced during her tenure.
The journalist launched the American Canto newsletter and podcast earlier this year alongside Lizza, who previously departed The New Yorker. The program promotes candid conversations about politics, media, and the evolving landscape of American journalism.
The split marks a rare public personnel dispute for the magazine and adds another layer of scrutiny to the relationship between major media outlets and their journalists’ independent commentary platforms. As news organizations continue to grapple with expectations around external projects, the incident highlights the challenges of balancing transparency, editorial discipline, and creative freedom in the digital era.
