TMZ spotlights candid camera at congressional vacationers

The [New York Times reported][https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/31/us/politics/tmz-congress.html] that TMZ, the Hollywood-based celebrity tabloid best known for ambushing entertainers at airports and resorts, has trained its cameras on members of Congress vacationing during the ongoing forty-one-day DHS shutdown.

TMZ founder Harvey Levin launched a public call for readers to submit photographs of lawmakers enjoying their scheduled spring recess while federal employees went without pay. The results, the Times noted, have been "a rash of bipartisan shaming."

The photographic haul has been extensive. TMZ published an ongoing series documenting Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-SC, at Walt Disney World, dining at Chef Mickey's, carrying a bubble wand at Magic Kingdom (on behalf of a child, his office said), and waiting in line for Space Mountain. Rep. Robert Garcia, D-CA, was photographed at the Fontainebleau Las Vegas resort; he said on social media he was visiting his father, who lives in Vegas, and echoed criticism of Speaker Mike Johnson for sending Congress home. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-TX, was spotted at Fort Lauderdale airport. Rep. Seth Magaziner, D-RI, drew scrutiny for plans to host a watch party for the inaugural season of The Real Housewives of Rhode Island.

Levin, in a video statement, issued a sweeping rebuke of both parties. "It outraged us so much we wanted to use our platforms to show how Congress—Dems AND Republicans—have betrayed us.," he said.

The Times noted that TMZ has expanded its Washington presence in recent years, stationing a producer and photographer at the Capitol and area airports.