Washington’s latest scandal is a doozy involving none other than Trump administration Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and a web of alleged personal misconduct, as the New York Post reports.

In a bombshell Substack piece published early Saturday, Ryan Lizza, a reporter and ex-fiancé of political journalist Olivia Nuzzi, unveiled explicit texts -- nicknamed “American Canyon” -- that Kennedy Jr. allegedly sent to Nuzzi, sparking accusations of an emotional affair and journalistic ethics violations.

This saga began in 2023 when Nuzzi first met Kennedy Jr. for an interview about then-SAG-AFTRA chief Fran Drescher, a piece that never saw the light of day.

Unveiling a Troubling First Encounter

Shortly after that meeting, Nuzzi and Kennedy Jr. reportedly went on a hike in Los Angeles, where he allegedly forcibly held her hand in a moment that raised eyebrows.

From there, Lizza claims the relationship took a troubling turn, with Kennedy Jr. sending raunchy messages that Lizza described as too explicit to fully publish.

One such alleged text reads, “I am a river, You are my canyon,” a line Lizza attributes to Kennedy Jr. that paints a vivid, if unsettling, picture of obsession.

Allegations of Journalistic Misconduct Surface

Lizza didn’t stop at personal revelations; he accused Nuzzi of unethical journalistic behavior, including writing campaign strategy memos for Kennedy Jr. and engaging in so-called “catch-and-kill” operations to bury unfavorable stories.

Both Nuzzi and Kennedy Jr. have denied any physical relationship, insisting they only met in person once for a profile Nuzzi was crafting for New York Magazine.

Yet, Lizza paints a darker picture, likening the discovery of their emotional entanglement to “waking up and learning [Nuzzi] was a heroin addict or joined a cult."

Past Affairs Add Fuel to the Fire

The plot thickens with Lizza’s claim that Nuzzi had a prior affair in 2020 with former South Carolina Republican Mark Sanford while profiling him for Vanity Fair.

According to Lizza, this affair was confirmed by a voice memo from the night of Feb. 24, 2020, though Nuzzi reportedly insisted it was a one-time indiscretion.

Lizza argues this reflects a pattern of “addictive attachments” to older, powerful men, a tendency he sees echoed in her interactions with Kennedy Jr.

Personal Fallout and Public Denials

Adding to the drama, Nuzzi’s history of fame-seeking behavior surfaces with a 2009 MySpace page under the name “Livvy,” featuring a song titled “Jailbait” that raises questions about her public persona.

Kennedy Jr.’s wife, Cheryl Hines, has also weighed in, expressing anger and dismissing Nuzzi’s claims as almost laughable if not so hurtful, casting doubt on the notion of any deeper relationship.

While the allegations swirl, conservatives might see this as yet another example of elite circles blurring personal and professional lines, undermining trust in both journalism and public office -- though all parties deserve a fair hearing as the truth unfolds.