Ryan Lizza Exits Politico, Launches Substack Amid Criticism of News Coverage

Former Politico reporter Ryan Lizza expressed dissatisfaction with his previous employer on Monday, asserting that the news organization is failing to address the current political crisis under the Trump administration. He emphasized the importance of honest reporting in what he described as an unprecedented moment of democratic peril.

Lizza’s career became a topic of public interest last year when it was revealed that his ex-fiancé, Olivia Nuzzi, had an inappropriate relationship with Robert F. Kennedy Jr., whom she had been tasked with covering for New York Magazine. The revelation led to their engagement being called off. Initially, Lizza faced suspension from Politico after Nuzzi accused him of harassment and blackmail. However, she later withdrew those claims, allowing him to return to the organization in a reduced capacity.

On Monday, Lizza announced his departure from Politico and unveiled a new Substack publication titled Telos.

In his inaugural article for Telos, Lizza stated, “The main reason is that their style of political coverage is not meeting the unprecedented moment of democratic peril we are facing.” He believes that the media’s narrative needs to align more closely with the realities unfolding in Washington.

Lizza’s departure comes on the heels of significant scrutiny surrounding Nuzzi’s personal life and the implications for journalistic integrity. He noted that the political landscape has dramatically shifted, creating a disconnect between the events occurring in Washington and how these events are portrayed by the media.

He addressed these concerns, saying, “I know that sounds dramatic, but the gap between what is actually happening in Washington and how it was being framed and reported became much too wide. This new publication, Telos, is my modest attempt to do things better.” He voiced his conviction that the wrong leaders are guiding Politico and criticized the organization for accommodating Trump’s administration.

Criticism of Media Practices

Lizza shared insights about Politico’s response to Trump’s critical remarks regarding their service for subscriptions to the federal government. He expressed disappointment, stating, “After Trump attacked Politico for selling subscriptions to the federal government, Politico made a regrettable mistake.” He referred to instances where the news organization seemed to compromise its integrity to placate the administration, including sending a White House reporter to CPAC, which he described as a gathering that undermines democratic values.

Concerns About Psychological Impact

He further articulated that the Trump administration has had a disorienting effect on Washington. Lizza drew an analogy to the psychological impacts of warfare, suggesting that the current political environment creates an atmosphere of denial among media and legal institutions. He stated, “This is the psychology that has seized many newsrooms, law firms, and other elite institutions in Washington for months. We need to wake up.”

Retaliation and Free Speech

In a subsequent article published Tuesday, Lizza indicated that Politico had directed him to remove his previous criticisms due to a non-disparagement clause. Instead of complying, he chose to stand firm in his assertions. He expressed hope that Politico would reconsider its approach to managing journalists’ freedom of speech, commenting, “I hope cooler heads prevail here, and I hope that my friends at Politico will think carefully about whether they really want to go around censoring journalists.”

As Lizza moves forward with Telos, he aims to create a platform that offers a different perspective on political coverage. His focus will be on authenticity and transparency in journalism. Politico has not offered any immediate comments regarding Lizza’s departure or the claims he made in his articles.

Personal Relationships Under Scrutiny

Amid this turmoil, Olivia Nuzzi has maintained her stance regarding her relationship with Robert F. Kennedy Jr. While she has denied any physical interaction, she acknowledged engaging in personal communications. After an internal investigation at New York Magazine, no inaccuracies or evidence of bias in her coverage were found, allowing her to leave the magazine without penalty.

Representatives for Kennedy have consistently denied any claims of a physical relationship, affirming that the two had only met in passing. Lizza, meanwhile, has emphatically rejected Nuzzi’s earlier allegations, stating that they were unfounded and ultimately withdrawn.

Looking Ahead

As Ryan Lizza steps into this new chapter with Telos, there is anticipation around the type of journalism he plans to deliver. With a commitment to addressing the current political climate directly, Lizza’s efforts will garner attention from both critics and supporters alike as he seeks to reshape political discourse.

In the age of evolving media landscapes, the challenges faced by journalists are more pronounced than ever. Moving forward, the hope remains that Lizza’s new venture will contribute to more substantive discussions in journalism, especially as democracy faces unprecedented challenges.

Joseph A. Wulfsohn from Fox News Digital contributed to this report.