TMZ Issues Apology After Awkward Laughter In Charlie Kirk Coverage

The shocking assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk during a speech at Utah Valley University shook the world, but it was TMZ’s coverage of the tragedy that lit up social media with outrage.

What should have been a respectful livestream reporting Kirk’s death instead turned into a scandal after viewers heard laughter and clapping in the background.

Many accused TMZ employees of mocking Kirk’s death, forcing the outlet to issue a public apology and clarify what really happened.

Among the loudest voices calling out TMZ was conservative firebrand Laura Loomer, who shared the clip on X and demanded accountability.

Loomer claimed that the news outlet’s staffers “cheered 30 seconds before” Charlie Kirk’s death was confirmed on-air, calling the behavior “disgusting” and “shameful.”

She pointed the finger directly at Harvey Levin, who was leading the broadcast, insisting he should condemn the incident.

“They were happy to hear the news of Charlie Kirk’s death and can be heard clapping and cheering before passing the news,” she wrote, adding that she clipped the footage “before they try to delete it.”

Loomer reminded followers that Kirk was not only a public figure but also “a husband and a father” who was “murdered in cold blood,” making the moment even more offensive.

Her words and the clip quickly went viral, sparking a storm of anger against the publication.

With pressure building, TMZ released a statement on its website and addressed the controversy head-on.

The outlet explained that the noise had nothing to do with Charlie Kirk’s death, but instead came from employees in another part of the building watching a car chase.

“The people watching that car chase began laughing and clapping in reaction to what they were seeing,” TMZ wrote, adding, “but we want to make it clear they were not cheering in response to the assassination.”

Even so, the site admitted that the laughter was wrongly timed and “totally out of line.”

They went on to apologize to anyone who heard the background noise while Levin and Charles Latibeaudiere were reporting the tragic story, acknowledging the hurt and confusion it caused.

“Watching a car chase at that moment was tone-deaf,” the statement read, as the outlet promised to do better.

Levin and Latibeaudiere also spoke directly to viewers in a follow-up video, both making it clear they understood why the backlash was so intense.

Levin said that if anyone had truly been cheering over Kirk’s death, “they wouldn’t have been working at TMZ,” stressing that the outlet took the matter seriously.

He revealed that he actually “walked off-camera” during the livestream to check what was happening in the office after hearing the noise himself.

Levin admitted the timing was “inappropriate” and confirmed that viewers could see his reaction by rewatching the full stream.

“We acknowledge that it was horrible timing, and for that we are sorry,” he said.

Both men admitted that while the laughter wasn’t about Kirk’s death, it still created a perception that was deeply disrespectful.

Shortly after the duo tendered their apology, fans took to social media to share their thoughts.

On X, many users slammed Levin and Latibeaudiere, noting that their explanation was false.

“Do not believe this for a second. This happened at the exact moment Trump confirmed that Charlie had passed away,” one person wrote.

Another fan shared the same sentiments, revealing that it wasn’t a coincidence that the cheering came exactly when Trump announced Charlie Kirk’s demise.

Some fans shared that the duo was lying, as there was no car chase going on in California.

“You’d better show the car chase on video or the news because nobody believes you right now,” one fan shared.

Others threatened to unfollow TMZ, calling them “despicable” and “vile.”

Amid Kirk’s death, TMZ isn’t the only news outlet to come under fire for its actions while on air.

As reported by The Blast, MSNBC is facing heavy backlash after political analyst Matthew Dowd made remarks on air about the 31-year-old’s death, which many viewers called insensitive.

During MSNBC Live with Katy Tur, Dowd said Kirk’s history of “divisive” speech may have played a role in creating an environment where violence could happen.

He added, “Hateful thoughts lead to hateful words, which then lead to hateful actions,” suggesting that extreme rhetoric often fuels real-world harm.

Critics quickly accused him of blaming Kirk for his own killing, and the comments went viral online.

MSNBC President Rebecca Kutler called the remarks “inappropriate, insensitive and unacceptable” and issued an apology to viewers.

Dowd also apologized, saying he never meant to blame Kirk and offered condolences to his family.

Still, the damage was done, and MSNBC confirmed that Dowd was fired from the network.