TMZ is facing outrage after staffers were overheard laughing and cheering while the entertainment outlet announced the death of conservative activist Charlie Kirk during a livestream on Wednesday.
Kirk, the 31-year-old founder of Turning Point USA, was tragically murdered while taking questions at a college event in Orem, Utah.
A single bullet struck his neck as he answered a question on gun violence, killing him in front of a crowd of roughly 3,000 people.
Authorities have confirmed the killing was a “political assassination.”
During TMZ’s livestream, co-founder Harvey Levin solemnly broke the news of Kirk’s death.
However, laughter and clapping could be heard erupting in the background.
WATCH:
“During today’s TMZ livestream, employees were heard cheering, clapping, and celebrating just 30 seconds before announcing Charlie Kirk’s death,” one X user wrote.
“They laughed and applauded the cold-blooded murder of a husband and father on a public broadcast, like it was some kind of sick joke, before handing it off to Harvey Levin.”
Conservative commentator Laura Loomer blasted TMZ’s behavior as “DISGUSTING.”
“Shameful and disgusting behavior by TMZ,” Loomer posted on X.
“Shame on them. Charlie is a husband and a father.
“He was murdered in cold blood.
TMZ quickly issued a grovelling damage-control statement after the backlash, insisting the staffers were reacting to something unrelated.
“We were livestreaming all day during this tragedy,” Levin said in an apology video.
“When we were reporting the assassination of Charlie Kirk, there were some people in the back room, away from our news desk here, who were watching a car chase.”
He added that if anyone on staff had mocked Kirk’s murder, “they would not work here.”
Co-host Charles Latibeaudiere acknowledged the “horrible timing” and apologized, insisting the laughter “was not about that.”
WATCH:
Addressing tone deaf laughter pic.twitter.com/7lOvG7z3H4
— TMZ (@TMZ) September 11, 2025
TMZ also posted a written statement admitting that “watching a car chase at that moment was tone deaf.”
But many viewers rejected the explanation.
“POV: You’re being lied to,” one person responded.
Another wrote: “Yea the whole world is watching this assassination, but your staff is focused on some random car chase that no one can find… we’re not stupid, Harvey.”
President Donald Trump confirmed Kirk’s death on Truth Social, writing:
“The Great, and even Legendary, Charlie Kirk, is dead.
“No one understood or had the Heart of the Youth in the United States of America better than Charlie.”
The president followed up with an official Oval Office address to the nation.
WATCH:
TO MY GREAT FELLOW AMERICANS… pic.twitter.com/oRsrE5TTHr
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 11, 2025
FBI Director Kash Patel announced that no suspect is currently in custody.
A 71-year-old man, George Zinn, was initially arrested but later cleared of involvement in the shooting.
Another suspect was also detained but released after interrogation.
Officials said the assassin fired from the roof of the Losee Center, roughly 200 feet from where Kirk was speaking.
Video footage shows a figure on the roof moments before the shot, fleeing immediately afterward.
Security at the event was minimal, with only six officers on site despite a crowd of thousands.
While TMZ has scrambled to repair its reputation, left-wing users on social media openly celebrated Kirk’s death.
“I’m not saying Charlie Kirk deserved to be shot, but I think enablers to pedophiles should be shot, too,” one user posted.
Others mocked the assassination on TikTok, posting videos feigning tears or making jokes about the shooting.
Even some Democrats, however, were forced to condemn the killing.
California Governor Gavin Newsom said:
“The attack on Charlie Kirk is disgusting, vile, and reprehensible.
“In the United States of America, we must reject political violence in EVERY form.”
READ MORE – Charlotte’s Democrat Mayor Defends Killer Who Stabbed Young Woman to Death on Train
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