Slate News What Next - SchadenFriday: Washington Gets TMZ’d
Apr 10, 2026
Harvey Levin, founder of TMZ and a tabloid media figure, talks about TMZ’s move into political coverage and the new TMZ DC initiative. He explains the ‘Outta’ campaign aimed at exposing lawmakers. He shares memorable moments like catching a senator at Disneyland and contrasts politician optics with everyday worker struggles.
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TMZ Frames Washington Like Celebrity Scandal
- TMZ is leveraging celebrity-paparrazi instincts to channel public anger at Washington dysfunction.
- Harvey Levin argues both parties share blame and TMZ can spotlight political hypocrisy by showing lawmakers on vacation during a shutdown.
Levin Views Dysfunction As Institutional, Not Purely Partisan
- Levin frames current dysfunction as bipartisan institutional failure rather than only one party's fault.
- He contrasts today's partisan gridlock with past eras where leaders from both parties compromised to keep government functioning.
Outta Movement Demands Throwing Lawmakers Out
- Harvey Levin describes launching the Outta movement to pressure voters to replace dysfunctional lawmakers.
- The idea grew from outrage during a prior shutdown and a desire to 'throw them all out' if they can't make government functional.