TMZ staff outline Capitol Hill reporting approach and seek press credentials

8 articles · Updated · POLITICO · Apr 25

TMZ’s Capitol Hill team, including Cotton, Buhaj, and Wasserman, detail their backgrounds and confirm they have applied for congressional press credentials while covering Washington, D.C.
They emphasize a mission to increase political transparency by applying celebrity-style journalism to politicians, aiming for fair, factual coverage and greater public engagement with Congress members.
The team reports positive interactions with politicians and staffers, denies paying for tips, and highlights their excitement at being recognized in D.C., reflecting a new dynamic in political media coverage.

How are politicians adapting their behavior to TMZ's candid, 'walk-and-talk' interview style?

Will TMZ's celebrity-style reporting actually increase transparency or just trivialize politics?

Can a brand known for paying sources build trust while covering powerful political figures?

Why is TMZ reviving its D.C. bureau now after a previous attempt failed years ago?

Will younger audiences, drawn in by TMZ's style, become more politically engaged or just more cynical?