The announcement that journalist Olivia Nuzzi plans to publish a tell-all memoir about her alleged relationship with Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has sent shockwaves through the household of the Secretary of Health and Human Services and his wife, actress Cheryl Hines. According to sources speaking to The New York Post on Monday, October 20, 2025, the couple was blindsided by news of the book and left in a state of shock and distress over potential revelations that could revive last year’s embarrassing scandal.
Hines, 60, broke her public silence on the matter during an appearance on The Katie Miller Podcast released on Thursday, October 23, 2025. In the interview, the Curb Your Enthusiasm star took subtle jabs at Nuzzi while discussing how she processed the sexting allegations that emerged during her husband’s 2024 presidential campaign. When asked about the scandal, Hines emphasized the importance of evaluating the credibility of those making claims.
“I think you always have to consider the source, right? So that’s where I start. And then it ends with a conversation with Bobby,” Hines explained during the podcast. She characterized the period when the allegations first surfaced as part of an exhausting year and a half filled with headlines, rumors, articles and chaos surrounding Kennedy’s presidential run.
Hines acknowledged that the revelation was overwhelming, stating it was a lot to process, especially as it came on the heels of losing her nephew. She indicated that in the scheme of what matters in life, the story did not rank highly in terms of importance. The actress also questioned Nuzzi’s motivations, noting she did not know the journalist personally and could not speak to her intentions, though she invited others to draw their own conclusions.
The controversy traces back to September 2024, when Nuzzi, then 32 and working as a political reporter for New York magazine, publicly acknowledged that the nature of some communications between herself and Kennedy had turned personal. She maintained the relationship was never physical but admitted it should have been disclosed to prevent the appearance of a conflict of interest. Nuzzi expressed deep regret for not disclosing the relationship immediately and apologized to colleagues at the publication.
Kennedy, now 71, denied the affair through a spokesperson at the time, stating he had met Nuzzi only once when she requested an interview during his presidential campaign, which resulted in what he characterized as a hit piece. Despite these denials, The Post reported that the two had engaged in sexting.
The situation became more complicated when Nuzzi’s ex-fiancé, former Politico journalist Ryan Lizza, filed court documents claiming Kennedy wanted to possess, control and impregnate Nuzzi. Lizza further alleged that Nuzzi had privately described Kennedy as a sex addict and characterized their affair as toxic, unhealthy, stupid, psychotic, crazy and indefensible. He also claimed Kennedy used his huge power to manipulate the journalist. Nuzzi responded by accusing Lizza of blackmail, alleging he leaked information about the relationship in an attempt to reconcile with her.
Following the scandal, New York magazine placed Nuzzi on leave and commissioned the law firm Davis Wright Tremaine to review her reporting. The review found no signs of bias or inaccuracies in her work. Nevertheless, the magazine and Nuzzi agreed to part ways in October 2024. She has since joined Vanity Fair as West Coast Editor.
Nuzzi’s forthcoming memoir, reportedly titled American Canto, is expected to be released around December 2, 2025. The book will apparently include sexually charged messages she received from Kennedy and cover her decade of reporting on politics. Sources close to the Kennedy household told The Post that both Robert and Cheryl initially went through marital hell when the affair was first revealed, with Hines even considering divorce. However, she eventually came to believe her husband’s denial without reservation, and the couple reconciled after the scandal appeared to blow over.
The timing of Nuzzi’s book announcement has raised concerns among Kennedy’s associates that the revelations could threaten his position in the Trump administration. A publishing source familiar with the project noted that the situation ultimately comes down to a he-said-she-said scenario, making it difficult to determine who should be believed. However, the source acknowledged that two women writing about their relationships with one man—a Kennedy with a long history of womanizing—would certainly generate public interest.
During her podcast appearance, Hines reflected on lessons learned during the campaign, observing that some people invest significant effort in creating content designed to capture attention, regardless of whether the information is true or false. She suggested that for such individuals, generating buzz represents success and cause for celebration.
Hines has been promoting her own memoir, Unscripted, scheduled for release on November 11, 2025. In August 2025, she told The Wall Street Journal that she and Kennedy talk about everything and maintain a strong friendship built on trust. She indicated that going through every rumor and headline to defend or explain would be pointless, noting that observers could deduce they love each other and remain married, with whatever they experienced now behind them.
