Rep. Tony Gonzales allegedly sent sexually explicit text messages to campaign staffer in 2020
The San Antonio Express-News reported that Rep. Tony Gonzales (R-TX) sent sexually explicit text messages to his campaign political director in 2020, repeatedly requesting nude photos and proposing sexual acts. The allegations represent a second case of sexual advances toward staff, following Gonzales's admitted affair with congressional staffer Regina Santos-Aviles, who later died by suicide. Gonzales dropped his reelection bid in March after admitting to the affair with Santos-Aviles.
31
Divergence score
This event sits in the top 17% of divergence this week. 5 outlets covered it, splitting into 5 framing camps across 3 bias groups.
5 camps
3 bias groups
The spectrum · how 5 outlets placed this story
LeftCenterRight
Breitbart
The Hill
NY Post
Washington Examiner
CNN
Supportive of action
Neutral
Dismissive
Critical
Alarmist
International angle
Widest split · the two outlets furthest apart, and who published first
Furthest apart on this story
NY Post
Disgraced GOP Rep. Tony Gonzales sent lewd texts to staffer years before affair with ex-aide who burned herself to death
sensationalized scandal coverage
CNN
San Antonio Express-News: Rep. Gonzales allegedly sent lewd texts to campaign staffer in 2020 - CNN
attribution to original source
First to report
- NY Postfirst
- Washington Examiner+2.4 h
- CNN+3.9 h
- Breitbart+28.2 h
- The Hill+28.3 h
By each outlet's earliest publish time in this story. Feeds that index slowly can appear later than they printed.
The split, in one line
Coverage splits on moral condemnation versus factual reporting, some outlets emphasize disgrace and evil behavior while others stick to straightforward allegations.
How each outlet covered it
Broad agreement on what happened
Outlets across the spectrum land in roughly the same place: the shared language is highlighted.
THE LEFT
“San Antonio Express-News: Rep. Gonzales allegedly sent lewd texts to campaign staffer in 2020 - CNN”CNN CNN LEFT
31LOW DIVERGENCE
THE RIGHT
“Disgraced GOP Rep. Tony Gonzales sent lewd texts to staffer years before affair with ex-aide who burned herself to death”NYP NY Post RIGHT
DOWN THE MIDDLE
“Allegations Rep. Tony Gonzales sent explicit texts to second staffer spark calls for action” · The Hill
+Hide the full sourcingSee how all 5 outlets put it
RIGHT3
BBreitbart Report: Rep. Tony Gonzales Sought Sex, Nude Photos from Campaign Staffer in 2020 Before Affair 157d ago NYPNY Post Disgraced GOP Rep. Tony Gonzales sent lewd texts to staffer years before affair with ex-aide who burned herself to death 158d ago WEWashington Examiner Newly released texts show Gonzales pursued another affair with staffer in 2020 158d ago 8 tracked claims across 5 outlets
Fact ledger
All8Claimed2Corroborated6
1/5
Claimed
The new allegations are sparking calls from several Republicans for further action against Gonzales.
Corroborated
Disputed
7 more tracked claimsSign up free to see the full ledger