NYT drops romance columnist Olivia Waite over a repost
Waite had written the paper's romance column for over six years before the contract ended following a Bluesky repost
The New York Times Book Review has ended its contract with Olivia Waite, its romance columnist for over six years, after she reposted a Bluesky post critical of the paper, according to Smart Bitches as reported by the outlet.
The chain began when journalist Marisa Kabas shared her exchange with NYT assistant managing editor Patrick Healy, which challenged the paper's decision not to cover new rape allegations against President Trump from a report by House Judiciary Committee Democrats. Journalist Mark Jacob then shared Kabas's post, calling Healy's response "unacceptable." Waite reposted Jacob's message without comment.
Six years of columns, ended over a repost with no comment attached to it. That's the part that should sit with you: not criticism, not a quote, just sharing someone else's post. If you write for an outlet that can cut ties this fast over a share button, know exactly where that line is before you find it the hard way.
From the Coral Wire edition of Wed, Nov 4 2026 · Coral Index 66/100 (Tailwinds building)