{"id":2601063,"date":"2026-05-11T07:21:01","date_gmt":"2026-05-11T11:21:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/congress-confronts-uncomfortable-truths-in-its-tmz-era\/"},"modified":"2026-05-11T07:23:55","modified_gmt":"2026-05-11T11:23:55","slug":"congress-confronts-uncomfortable-truths-in-its-tmz-era","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/congress-confronts-uncomfortable-truths-in-its-tmz-era\/","title":{"rendered":"Congress confronts uncomfortable truths in its TMZ era"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">16<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fcongress-confronts-uncomfortable-truths-in-its-tmz-era%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2601063&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>TMZ entered Washington coverage as Congress faced historically low public trust, political fatigue, and major sexual misconduct and ethics scandals.The piece argues that politics has become inseparable from social media and entertainment culture, and some lawmakers and staff view TMZ\u2019s aggressive attention as a way to increase transparency and accountability-\u201cthe best disinfectant.\u201d  <\/p>\n<p>Lawmakers say TMZ reaches peopel outside the Washington bubble and offers communications teams a chance to show a more personal side of Congress. The article notes that public trust has fallen dramatically over decades and that recent resignations over alleged misconduct and theft have intensified doubts about the capital\u2019s ethics. still, while admitting Congress has a trust problem is easier than fixing it, officials hope higher ethical standards and greater transparency-along with consequences-can help restore confidence.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<article class=\"fn-body\">\n<p>TMZ hit <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/washington-dc-2\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"13110\">Washington<\/a> at a time when Congress was facing historically low trust, political fatigue, and rampant <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/sexual-misconduct\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"2705\">sexual misconduct<\/a> scandals. Now, lawmakers have to face transparency head-on.<\/p>\n<p>While <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/martin-scorsese-hits-back-the-art-of-cinema-is-being-devalued\/\" title=\"Martin Scorsese Hits Back: The Art Of Cinema Is Being Devalued\">traditional outlets<\/a> have covered <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/capitol-hill\/\" type=\"link\" id=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/capitol-hill\/\">Congress<\/a> for decades, the entrance of the Hollywood tabloid reflects how politics, scandal, and <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/social-media\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"433\">social media<\/a> culture are now inseparable from governing.<\/p>\n<section class=\"explore-more-section\" id=\"wex-recommended-widget\">\n<div class=\"magazine-container single\">\n<h1 class=\"magazine-title mt-2\">Recommended Stories<\/h1>\n<p>             <i class=\"fa-solid fa-play icon\"><\/i>         <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-grid\">\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/house\/4561513\/trump-jeffries-feud-grows\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Trump and Jeffries could become Washington\u2019s ultimate odd couple<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/house\/4561678\/aoc-loftier-goals-oval-office\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>AOC offers loftier goals than the Oval Office: \u2018My ambition is way bigger than that\u2019<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/house\/4561278\/republicans-confidence-2026-map-five-battleground-districts-polling\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Republicans signal confidence over 2026 map in five battleground districts: Internal polling<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<p>Yet, some lawmakers and staff are not running from TMZ\u2019s trademark aggressiveness. In fact, many say they\u2019re ready for the change. <\/p>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>\u201cI\u2019m not afraid of anybody,\u201d Rep. Gabe Amo (D-RI) told the <em>Washington Examiner<\/em>. \u201cI think we all have to embrace anybody who wants to shine light on what happens in here, because I think that\u2019s the best disinfectant, and hopefully it makes us more accountable, more responsible to the people we work for.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>And just like the best Hollywood publicist tries to court TMZ for beneficial coverage of their client, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/desantis-hating-sports-writer-tries-to-ruin-baseball-with-identity-politics\/\" title=\"DeSantis-Hating Sports Writer Tries To Ruin Baseball With Identity ...\">congressional communications staff<\/a> see the new outlet the same way.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe recognized the value and reach they have pretty early on, so we decided it was better to lean in rather than just take measures to try to avoid the inevitable, which means opening a\u00a0line of communications with them, just like we do with every other outlet or reporter who covers the Congress,\u201d one senior GOP communications staffer told the <em>Washington Examiner.<\/em> <\/p>\n<p>According to the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.pewresearch.org\/politics\/2025\/12\/04\/public-trust-in-government-1958-2025\/\">Pew Research Center<\/a>, public trust in Washington is at a mere 17%, marking a near seven-decade low since the question first started being polled. By comparison, public trust stood at 73% in 1958, a more than 50% drop from today. Trust began eroding in the 1960s, as the war in Vietnam escalated and continued to decline as the nation faced Watergate, globalization, and forever wars in the Middle East.<\/p>\n<p>Likely making those numbers worse is that in recent months, Congress has been beset by a season of scandal. In recent weeks, former Reps. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/eric-swalwell\/\">Eric Swalwell<\/a> and Tony Gonzales resigned, facing likely expulsion over allegations of sexual misconduct. Ex-Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick similarly quit Congress ahead of a likely expulsion for allegedly stealing millions from Federal Emergency Management Agency disaster aid.<\/p>\n<p>The high-profile scandals have left many Americans questioning the ethics of the nation\u2019s capital. <\/p>\n<p>\u201cI hope it is,\u201d Rep. Suhas Subramanyam (D-VA) responded when the <em>Washington Examiner<\/em> asked if this could be a new era of public trust. \u201cPeople don\u2019t like us and trust us right now, and if more transparency, and attention, and consequences for members is what\u2019s going to help regain that trust.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Still, admitting that Congress has a problem is easier than figuring out how to fix it.<\/p>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/house\/4541083\/congress-ethics-reforms-post-resignations\/\"><strong>CONGRESS WEIGHS ETHICS REFORMS AFTER SCANDALS AND RESIGNATIONS ROIL CAPITOL HILL<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u201cI\u2019m hoping that there\u2019s a higher standard of ethics, that there\u2019s a robust amount of <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/transparency\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"608\">transparency<\/a> around the processes that govern ourselves, and also that we do everything we can to be the best versions of ourselves when we serve our constituents,\u201d Amo said.<\/p>\n<p>Lawmakers also acknowledge that TMZ reaches audiences that many traditional political outlets struggle to reach: those outside the Washington bubble.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI\u2019ve run into the TMZ guys several times, and I love having him here,\u201d Subramanyam said. \u201cA lot of people don\u2019t pay attention to the day-to-day here. They\u2019re not in our D.C. bubble, but they pay attention to TMZ, and so it\u2019s a fun way of having people who normally wouldn\u2019t pay attention to politics see what we\u2019re doing.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>For communications staff, it gives their boss an opportunity to show their personality on camera.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI think the approach they\u2019re taking will show a new light on Congress, particularly the more personal side, which is definitely needed,\u201d the senior GOP communications staffer continued. \u201cThat\u2019s how they\u2019ll carve out their lane and what I think they\u2019ll be successful at. They\u2019re focused on \u2018pulling the veil back\u2019 on D.C. to everyday Americans.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Three TMZ reporters arrived in Washington last <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/biden-says-us-will-have-enough-vaccine-for-300-million-people-by-end-of-july\/\" title=\"Biden Says US Will Have Enough Vaccine for 300 Million ... by End of July\">month ahead<\/a> of a chaotic stretch on Capitol Hill that included multiple House resignations and an assassination attempt on President Donald Trump.<\/p>\n<p>The outlet, long known for aggressively covering celebrities and entertainment culture in <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/los-angeles\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"1221\">Los Angeles<\/a>, quickly became a curiosity around the Capitol. <\/p>\n<p>\u201cIf you don\u2019t love that TMZ sent these three guys to come waltz through DC and help tear down the pretentious attitude that stands in the way of the people\u2019s work, then you have insider syndrome too,\u201d <em>Drop Site News<\/em> reporter Julian Andreone <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/JulianAndreone\/status\/2048065191418425602?s=20\">wrote on X<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>While Washington is no red carpet, Capitol Hill has increasingly become imbued with social media culture and entertainment. Lawmakers once seen as stuffy now host podcasts from their offices and schedule time on their calendars to record TikToks.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWashington has spent years turning politics into entertainment, so it was probably inevitable that an outlet like TMZ would eventually move into the space,\u201d Republican strategist Dennis Lennox told the <em>Washington Examiner<\/em>.<\/p>\n<p><strong><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/4559208\/texas-republican-introduces-bill-whca-shooter-death-penalty-attempt-trump-life\/\">TEXAS REPUBLICAN INTRODUCES BILL TO GIVE WHCA SHOOTER DEATH PENALTY FOR ATTEMPT ON TRUMP\u2019S LIFE<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>While Lennox highlighted the entertainment portion of politics, he also highlighted another complaint from voters across the country \u2014 age. <\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe funny thing is that a lot of Americans imagine Congress as some nonstop carnival of debauchery, bacchanalia, and <em>House of Cards<\/em>-style corruption when, in reality, most members are <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >boring senior citizens<\/a> whose biggest thrill is making the last flight home on Thursday night,\u201d Lennox went on to say. \u201cFor every Eric Swalwell or Tony Gonzales scandal, there are 50 lawmakers worrying about cholesterol medication and what time they can FaceTime with their kids or grandkids.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>TMZ entered Washington as Congress hit record-low trust, fatigue, and sex-scandal turmoil-forcing lawmakers toward greater transparency<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3691,"featured_media":2601064,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/AP26075668192125-e1778273378675.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[4402,37124,5894],"class_list":["post-2601063","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","tag-congress","tag-media-scrutiny","tag-politics"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/AP26075668192125-e1778273378675.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2601063","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3691"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2601063"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2601063\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2601067,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2601063\/revisions\/2601067"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2601064"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2601063"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2601063"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2601063"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}