Ryan Lizza Leaves Politico Amid Controversial Exit

Ryan Lizza, former chief Washington correspondent for Politico, has launched a Substack publication called Telos, citing dissatisfaction with Politico's coverage during what he describes as an 'unprecedented moment of democratic peril' under President Trump. Lizza criticized Politico and other media outlets for allegedly capitulating to Trump, referencing incidents such as Politico sending a reporter to CPAC after facing presidential criticism and ABC News settling a lawsuit with Trump. He asserts that there is a significant gap between actual events in Washington and how they are reported, motivating his departure and the creation of his new project. Lizza's move follows his reduced role at Politico after controversy involving his ex-fiancée Olivia Nuzzi and her relationship with Robert F. Kennedy Jr., though he did not explicitly cite this as a reason for his exit. In his Telos launch, Lizza appealed for reader subscriptions to support an independent news community capable of addressing current political challenges. His departure has drawn both support and criticism, with some media voices focusing on his professional disputes and past personal controversies.