Ryan Lizza quits Politico to launch Telos amid criticism

In the United States, Ryan Lizza, a former top reporter for Politico, announced his departure from the organization in late March 2025. Lizza criticized Politico for its handling of political coverage during what he describes as a significant moment of democratic peril under President Donald Trump. He claimed that the gap between actual events in Washington and how they were reported became increasingly wide, prompting him to seek out a new platform where he could provide what he believes to be a more accurate analysis of the ongoing political climate. In his first post on his new Substack publication, Telos, Lizza expressed his dissatisfaction with Politico's editorial decisions, including its perceived alignment with the Trump administration's interests, and promised that Telos would deliver investigative reporting and in-depth analyses of Washington's political crises. Lizza’s departure occurred after a tumultuous personal year marked by public revelations regarding his ex-fiancé, Olivia Nuzzi, and her relationship with Robert F. Kennedy Jr., which concluded with Nuzzi dropping her court case against Lizza. His exit adds to the trend of high-profile journalists leaving major publications for independent platforms, reflecting a growing discontent with how mainstream media covers political issues.