In a shocking turn of events, the celebrity gossip powerhouse TMZ found itself in hot water after a live broadcast revealed a moment of inappropriate levity during a tragic news report. As the world learned of the assassination of Charlie Kirk, a prominent conservative commentator, laughter erupted from the TMZ newsroom, igniting a firestorm of outrage across social media.
On September 10, 2025, during a live stream covering the breaking news of Kirk’s murder at Utah Valley University, viewers were taken aback when they heard staff members cheering and clapping in the background. The moment was captured in a clip that quickly went viral, with critics labeling the behavior as “disgusting” and “shameful.” Conservative activist Laura Loomer was among the first to call out the incident, sharing the clip on social media and condemning the TMZ staff for their apparent celebration of Kirk’s demise.
In the aftermath, TMZ founder Harvey Levin and executive producer Charles Latibeaudiere scrambled to clarify the situation. They insisted that the laughter was not in response to Kirk’s assassination but rather a reaction to a car chase being watched by some employees in a separate part of the building. Levin stated, “They were not laughing, they were not reacting that way about Charlie Kirk’s assassination. They would not work here if they did.”
Despite their defense, the backlash was swift and severe. In a video statement, Levin expressed regret over the “tone-deaf laughter,” acknowledging that the timing was indeed unfortunate. Latibeaudiere echoed this sentiment, stating, “We apologize. We understand why people were outraged after listening to that section of the livestream.” The duo emphasized that no one was celebrating Kirk’s death, but the juxtaposition of a car chase and a tragic assassination was undeniably poor judgment.
This incident has not only tarnished TMZ’s reputation but has also sparked broader discussions about the network’s ethical standards in their reporting. As the conservative community mourns Kirk’s assassination, the incident at TMZ serves as a reminder of the fine line between reporting and sensationalism, underscoring the need for sensitivity in journalism.
