TMZ Founder Calls for Ousting All Members of Congress

Harvey Levin says TMZ's viral photos of lawmakers on vacation during shutdown aim to 'juxtapose' their behavior against struggling federal workers.

Apr. 3, 2026 at 7:54pm

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A dynamic, fragmented painting in bold, clashing colors depicting a politician on vacation, the image conveying a sense of chaos and disconnect from the struggles of ordinary citizens.As public frustration with Congress boils over during the government shutdown, TMZ's viral photo campaign aims to shame lawmakers for prioritizing vacations over their duties.Today in Orlando

TMZ founder Harvey Levin is leading a campaign to shame members of Congress for taking vacations during the ongoing partial government shutdown, the longest in U.S. history. Levin says TMZ's strategy is to post photos of lawmakers like Sen. Lindsey Graham enjoying themselves at Disney World while federal workers struggle, in an effort to 'juxtapose' the two and rally the public to vote out all current members of Congress.

Why it matters

Levin's push to oust all members of Congress reflects the deep public frustration with the political gridlock in Washington that has led to the shutdown. As approval ratings for both parties plummet, TMZ's viral photo campaign taps into the sentiment that lawmakers are out-of-touch with the struggles of average Americans.

The details

After interviewing a TSA worker not receiving pay due to the shutdown, Levin called on TMZ's audience to send in photos of lawmakers on vacation. The flood of images, including Sen. Lindsey Graham at Disney World, were posted to shame Congress for leaving town during the crisis. Levin says TMZ's effort is nonpartisan, aiming to 'clean house' by voting out all current members.

  • The partial government shutdown is now the longest in U.S. history.
  • Congress is currently on a two-week spring break recess.

The players

Harvey Levin

The founder of TMZ, a celebrity news website that has now turned its attention to shaming members of Congress for taking vacations during the government shutdown.

Sen. Lindsey Graham

A Republican senator from South Carolina who was photographed at Disney World in Orlando holding a bubble wand, an image that went viral as part of TMZ's campaign.

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What they’re saying

“I think you grab people where — you meet them where they want to be, and here they want these images, and the images tell the story for them, and that's what we're doing right now.”

— Harvey Levin, Founder, TMZ

“We've started this movement, OWTA, which is 'out with their asses,' and that means vote all of them out.”

— Harvey Levin, Founder, TMZ

What’s next

Levin says TMZ plans to continue posting photos of lawmakers on vacation in an effort to rally the public to vote out all current members of Congress in the next election.

The takeaway

TMZ's viral photo campaign reflects the deep public frustration with Congress and the political gridlock that has led to the longest government shutdown in U.S. history. Levin's call to 'clean house' and vote out all current lawmakers taps into the sentiment that the political establishment is out-of-touch with the struggles of average Americans.