The Dallas Express exclusive story revealing Rep. Kay Granger resides in a senior care facility ricocheted around the world this weekend.
Rival DFW outfits begrudgingly picked up the piece while brand-name national and international outlets — the New York Post, Fox News, New York Times and overseas stalwarts like the Daily Mail and The Guardian — all blared headlines dishing the DX’s exclusive details.
Seemingly in a matter of hours, everyone knew about The Dallas Express exclusive report on Granger, 81, the veteran Republican who now lives in an assisted care facility — and hasn’t voted since July.
“Kay Granger is residing in assisted-living facility, her son tells Dallas publication,” a Politico headline read.
“Care home congresswoman breaks her silence after raking in $170k salary despite not working,” the UK based media outlet, Daily Mail’s headline read.
Texas Rep. Kay Granger, 81, found in memory care unit after she vanished from Washington 6 months ago: report https://t.co/T5L4XVV3nV pic.twitter.com/9Pitgk0Xx0
— New York Post (@nypost) December 22, 2024
As the mainstream media spread the story, social media influencers and elected officials began to take note — and spread the information to their followers.
Prominent figures such as Elon Musk, Libs of TikTok, and Senator Mike Lee have reacted to the exclusive story.
“Maybe we should have some basic cognitive test for elected officials? This is getting crazy …” Elon Musk wrote on X.
Maybe we should have some basic cognitive test for elected officials?
This is getting crazy … https://t.co/raE6dAS1jm
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) December 22, 2024
“A lot of people must have known She hadn’t done her job in a long time Where was Rep. Kay Granger’s staff? They were covering for her dementia Not as much to protect Rep. Granger But so *her staff* could stay in power Why does this sound familiar?” Senator Mike Lee wrote on X.
The story has reignited passionate debate about term limits.
“With the GOP majority in the House razor thin we need every Republican member to show up for every vote. The fact that @RepKayGranger hasn’t shown up for a vote since July and now resides in a memory care facility makes it clear we need term limits,” Amuse wrote on X.
TERM LIMITS? With the GOP majority in the House razor thin we need every Republican member to show up for every vote. The fact that @RepKayGranger hasn’t shown up for a vote since July and now resides in a memory care facility makes it clear we need term limits.
h/t… pic.twitter.com/NSLrGxcGYD
— @amuse (@amuse) December 20, 2024
The reporting has led to questions being raised about whether other members of Congress were aware of Granger’s mental health issues.
“I wasn’t aware. I think there is no doubt a lot of knew that she was gaining in age,” Rep. Tony Gonzalez (R-TX) told CBS’ Face the Nation.
“Congress should do its job. And if you can’t do your job maybe you shouldn’t be there,” Gonzalez said.
The scope and seriousness of the story has also marked a change for The Dallas Express reporter who uncovered the story. Staff Writer Carlos Turcios has seemingly been pulling double duty as a TV correspondent, sharing his Granger scoop with local and national networks, including this interviewed with NewsNation.