How did Olivia Nuzzi become the worst scandal of the week?

Hello and happy Tuesday. There are 41 days left until the election and today we are talking about scandals.

It has come to my attention that several competitors may be running a story about me – an unhealthy indiscretion that, as I now see, has brought me nothing but too-tight jeans and late-life shame. I am having an affair with not one but two gentlemen: Ben and Jerry.

I'm not proud of it, but that's the way it is. There may even be photos of me enjoying a spoonful or two of beer. But in my defense, Ben and Jerry's (together, I don't think they really accomplish anything on their own) have helped me through more than one difficult story. They've been a source of satisfaction, enlightenment, and now, I'm sorry to say, public humiliation – because I know journalists aren't supposed to contact sources, but how could I say no?

New York Super Fudge Chunk is to me what Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is to now-suspended New York Magazine writer Olivia Nuzzi.

Unless you're a self-centered East Coast political journalist, it's possible you missed the 3,000 stories about 31-year-old Nuzzi allegedly sexting with 70-year-old Señor Worm-brain after you wrote a profile on him last year.

This is a big taboo in journalism, if you haven't guessed. Generally speaking, editors frown upon any sex with sources because it makes all reporters look like, well, British journalists, as Semafor editor Ben Smith wrote, who, I think, somehow defend sex with sources?

I'll leave it to you to read the salacious details of Nuzzi's “chaste nudes” for yourself, but the short version is that Nuzzi was pilloried for her lack of ethics. Fair.

But RFK Jr. – who is still running as a presidential candidate in several states – is out of the question.

He hasn't commented, but allowed his “team” to launch a spin-off campaign claiming he was the victim here and that Nuzzi was stalking him even after he blocked her.

In the press hysteria to condemn Nuzzi – and once again it is to blame for her ethical lapses – the media is up to its neck in serious double standards. I have yet to see a single reporter ask Kennedy if he sent Nuzzi photos. Or question his integrity or judgment after he had had multiple affairs and even harassed women. Or ask why he was sexting with a woman younger than some of his own children.

RFK Jr. is a public figure. Even if he doesn't win (which obviously won't happen), he has apparently traded his ability to spoil the election for a spot on Trump's team. This man could determine the future of America's health care system if Trump wins. He asked the Supreme Court on Monday for an injunction to get himself back on the ballot in New York, so he's still in the race.

Why is he not being scrutinized with the same intensity in connection with this latest scandal as Nuzzi, who, quite frankly, is of no interest to the average American?

I ask only on behalf of the 170 million women of America, most of whom know that it takes two to dance tango, even if it is virtual.

But on to other scandals!

Mark Robinson, Lieutenant Governor of North Carolina.

The “Black Nazi” scandal

Mark Robinson, the conservative Republican running for governor of North Carolina, should probably send Nuzzi champagne (no pictures! No pictures!) because, as unbelievable as it may sound, her scandal seems to have taken the wind out of his sails.

Last week, CNN published a shocking – and I use that word as someone who is not easily shocked – investigation into Robinson and his writings on a porn website called “Nude Africa.”

CNN reported that Robinson referred to himself as a “Black NAZI!” in posts on the site over a decade ago, insulting several groups including Jews, Muslims and blacks. He reportedly called Hitler's Mein Kampf a “good read” and suggested that the reinstatement of slavery would be a good thing. I don't know, folks, that's a lot — I'm not even talking about the sex stuff.

But voters seem to be taking it all in stride. Sure, Trump is keeping his distance at the moment (and Robinson denies that the comments or posts are his, adding that they are all fake or AI-generated), but JD Vance also seems completely unfazed.

During a rally in North Carolina on Monday, where Robinson was nowhere to be seen but the crowd became downright hostile as reporters asked questions about him, he said the following:

“I think I've been asked five questions now. Three of those questions were about what Mark Robinson said or didn't say on a message board 20 years ago. As I said, it's Mark Robinson's job to tell the people of North Carolina what he thinks. I'm not going to do that for him and the people of North Carolina, they have to decide whether they believe him or not. It's as simple as that.”

So this is a big ploy by the Trump team in terms of sex scandal. This is not a big surprise.

Melania's side jobs

Which brings us to Melania Trump, whose scandal is tame by comparison. This week, reports emerged that she may have charged hundreds of thousands ($247,500, to be exact) for an April appearance with the Log Cabin Republicans, a conservative group that supports LGBTQ rights. That's not illegal, but it might just be unsavory—it's unclear who wrote the check. It wasn't the Log Cabin folks, they say.

But here's the thing: I'm with Melania on this one. Keep going, girl, make your money while you can. The former First Lady has never made it a secret that she wants to capitalize on her White House fame – and if Donald Trump is Plan A, can you blame her for having a Plan B?

So if you fancy buying her new “Vote Freedom” necklace for $600, the collector's edition of her new book for $250, or even her Christmas ornaments for $90, go for it.

A woman has to earn a living, and this is hardly the biggest scandal of the week.

What else you should read

The must-read: The long, strange saga of Kamala Harris and Kimberly Guilfoyle
The conclusion : Shooter found guilty of mass murder in Colorado grocery store in 2021
The LA Times Special: Lawsuit in California accuses Exxon Mobil of misleading the public about plastic recycling

Stay golden,
Anita Chabria