TMZ Expands to Washington, DC

Celebrity gossip site sets up new outpost on Capitol Hill

Apr. 13, 2026 at 7:22pm

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An abstract close-up photograph of shattered glass reflecting a faint red light, conveying a sense of disruption and exposure surrounding the political elite.The arrival of celebrity gossip site TMZ in Washington, DC promises to disrupt the traditional norms of political journalism with its unfiltered, sensationalized approach.Washington Today

The celebrity news and paparazzi outlet TMZ has announced the launch of a new Washington, DC-based team, TMZDC, consisting of three producers who are on the hunt for stories about members of Congress and the political elite. The move raises questions about how TMZ's unfiltered approach to celebrity coverage will translate to the political sphere in a city already saturated with political journalists.

Why it matters

TMZ's arrival in DC represents an expansion of the outlet's reach into the political realm, potentially shaking up the established landscape of political journalism and coverage. With its reputation for aggressive paparazzi tactics and sensationalized celebrity stories, TMZ's entry into the DC media market could disrupt traditional norms and lead to new ways of capturing and reporting on the private lives and behaviors of lawmakers and other public figures.

The details

According to the announcement, the new TMZDC team, led by producers Jakson Buhaj, Jacob Wasserman, and Charlie Cotton, will be 'on the hunt for good stories' as they set up shop on Capitol Hill. This move comes after TMZ previously demonstrated an interest in political coverage, such as interviewing a TSA worker during a government shutdown and soliciting photos of lawmakers on vacation during the same period.

  • TMZ announced the launch of TMZDC on April 13, 2026.
  • The new DC-based team is starting work immediately.

The players

TMZ

A celebrity news and entertainment website known for its aggressive paparazzi tactics and sensationalized coverage of celebrity scandals and mishaps.

Harvey Levin

The founder and executive producer of TMZ, who says the decision to expand the outlet's presence in Washington, DC was 'very spontaneous.'

Jakson Buhaj, Jacob Wasserman, and Charlie Cotton

The three producers who make up the new TMZDC team that will be based in Washington, DC.

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What they’re saying

“Don't think that 535 members [of Congress] are going to scurry away from reporters. What we're doing is showing how the public feels about them.”

— Harvey Levin, Founder and Executive Producer, TMZ

What’s next

TMZ plans to expand its DC-based team further, building out a full-time presence in the nation's capital to cover the political sphere with its unique brand of celebrity-focused reporting.

The takeaway

TMZ's expansion into Washington, DC represents a significant shift in the media landscape, as a celebrity gossip outlet known for its unfiltered and sensationalized approach now sets its sights on the political elite. This move could disrupt traditional norms of political journalism and lead to new ways of capturing and reporting on the private lives and behaviors of lawmakers and other public figures.