How Gary Hart's 1980s Scandal Paved the Way for TMZ's Washington Expansion

Colorado Sen. Gary Hart acknowledges supporters at the opening of "The Friends of Gary Hart" national campaign office in Denver on February 2, 1987. (Bettmann Archive/Getty Images)

TMZ’s Washington Expansion: A Media Shift Decades in the Making

The newest journalists roaming Capitol Hill aren’t traditional political reporters—they’re TMZ staff. The celebrity gossip outlet, known for its aggressive reporting tactics, recently opened a Washington, DC bureau, signaling a new era of celebrity-style political coverage. TMZ founder Harvey Levin has already encouraged the public to submit photos of lawmakers during Congress’s spring recess, highlighting the site’s evolving focus.

This shift in media strategy traces back to the 1980s, particularly the scandal surrounding Gary Hart, a Democratic senator and 1988 presidential frontrunner. His political downfall, driven by allegations of an affair, marked a turning point in how the press covered politicians’ personal lives.

Gary Hart: The Scandal That Changed Political Journalism

In 1987, Hart was the leading Democratic contender for the 1988 presidential nomination. His campaign collapsed in a single week after reports surfaced of an extramarital affair. Reporters from the Miami Herald staked out his home, documenting his interactions with a woman who was not his wife. The story dominated headlines, ending Hart’s political ambitions and leaving his career in ruins.

The Hart scandal introduced a new era of political journalism. Unlike past scandals tied to criminal activity or whistleblowers, this case involved reporters actively seeking evidence of infidelity. The press argued that voters had a right to know whether Hart had been faithful to his wife.

"You were right at the birth of satellite technology and what would become the 24-hour news cycle." — Matt Bai, author of All the Truth Is Out: The Week Politics Went Tabloid

Hart, raised in an era with stricter boundaries between public and private life, dismissed the scrutiny as irrelevant. His refusal to elaborate—even in Bai’s extensive reporting—failed to resonate with the public or the media. The scandal underscored a fundamental shift: personal conduct was now fair game in political coverage.

Legacy of the Hart Scandal

Rolling Stone columnist Matt Bai, whose book examines the Hart scandal, discussed its impact with Today, Explained co-host Noel King. Bai noted that Hart’s downfall foreshadowed modern political media, including the rise of tabloid-style coverage and the expectation that leaders reflect the public they serve.

For more on the Hart scandal and its lasting effects, listen to the full Today, Explained episode on platforms like Apple Podcasts, Pandora, and Spotify.