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.
In the aftermath, TMZ founder Harvey Levin and executive producer Charles Latibeaudiere scrambled to clarify the situation. 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.
This isn’t the first time TMZ has found itself in controversy. The fallout from this incident not only tarnished the media outlet's reputation but also sparked broader discussions about the ethics of reporting and the boundaries of acceptable behavior in the media landscape. As the dust settles, one thing is clear: the laughter that echoed through the TMZ newsroom will not soon be forgotten.
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.
In the aftermath, TMZ founder Harvey Levin and executive producer Charles Latibeaudiere scrambled to clarify the situation. 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.
This isn’t the first time TMZ has found itself in controversy. The fallout from this incident not only tarnished the media outlet's reputation but also sparked broader discussions about the ethics of reporting and the boundaries of acceptable behavior in the media landscape. As the dust settles, one thing is clear: the laughter that echoed through the TMZ newsroom will not soon be forgotten.
