Story perspectives

Pentagon Welcomes TMZ, Sparks Press Credential Debate

4/25/2026

Summary

Story summary

Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth welcomed TMZ as a Pentagon press corps member.
TMZ opened a bureau to cover Capitol Hill but lacks congressional press-gallery credentials.
The outlet posted photos of Sen. Lindsey Graham at Disney World and Rep. Jared Moskowitz at his son’s basketball game during Department of Homeland Security (DHS) shutdown.
Analysts noted TMZ’s ambush-style interviews and reported that Hegseth praised the U.S. military in briefing with reporters.

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Story summary

Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth welcomed TMZ as a Pentagon press corps member.
TMZ opened a bureau to cover Capitol Hill but lacks congressional press-gallery credentials.
The outlet posted photos of Sen. Lindsey Graham at Disney World and Rep. Jared Moskowitz at his son’s basketball game during Department of Homeland Security (DHS) shutdown.
Analysts noted TMZ’s ambush-style interviews and reported that Hegseth praised the U.S. military in briefing with reporters.