TMZ has released a statement explaining the laughter heard during the announcement of Charlie Kirk’s passing following a shooting at Utah Valley University that was broadcast on its livestream Wednesday, September 10.
The celebrity gossip outlet faces backlash after newsroom staffers were heard cheering and clapping in the background while reporters on camera covered the assassination report. So, was the laughter about Kirk?
Did TMZ Laugh at Charlie Kirk’s Passing?
TMZ addressed the incident that occurred during its livestream coverage of Kirk’s assassination.
As founder Harvey Levin and veteran producer Charles Latibeaudiere reported developments from the newsroom, laughter was heard in the background.
The publication admitted that the laughter occurred but clarified that the employees who laughed were watching a car chase in another part of the building.
“The people watching that car chase began laughing and clapping in reaction to what they were seeing,” it said. “But we want to make it clear … they were not cheering in response to the assassination.”
At the same time, TMZ acknowledged that watching a car chase during such a tragic event was inappropriate, and the sounds of laughter “were totally out of line.”
“We apologize to anyone who heard that while we were in the middle of covering such a tragic story,” the statement continued.
In a video post on TMZ’s X page, Levin explained that the people who laughed and clapped were at the back of the newsroom, away from the news desk, and were never “laughing, reacting that way” to the news of Kirk’s death.
“They would not work here if they did,” he firmly stated.
Latibeaudiere chimed in, calling the incident “horrible timing.” “And for that, we are sorry,” he said.
“We apologize,” Levin added.
The celebrity watchdogs acknowledged the outrage sparked by the incident. “No one was laughing at the Charlie Kirk tragedy,” Latibeaudiere clarified.
How Did Charlie Kirk Die?
Kirk, an influential conservative activist and close ally of US President Donald Trump, was shot dead while speaking to a crowd of about 3,000 people at an outdoor “Prove Me Wrong” debate at Utah Valley University. He was 31 years old.
At the time, he had invited students to challenge his political and cultural views on campus when the shot suddenly rang out shortly after 12 noon.
According to eyewitnesses and videos from the scene, Kirk was answering a question about gun violence when the tragic incident occurred.
“Do you know how many transgender Americans have been mass shooters over the last 10 years?” an audience member asked.
“Too many,” Kirk responded.
The questioner then clarified that there had been five in the past 10 years and asked him again how many mass shooters there had been during that period.
“Counting or not counting gang violence?” Kirk replied.
Shortly after, a single shot rang out, shocking many in the crowd. Kirk was seen recoiling in his chair, clutching his chest, as blood became visible on his neck. Panic erupted as the audience began running for safety.
Kirk was rushed to the hospital in a private vehicle, but Trump confirmed his passing hours later in a post on Truth Social.
“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,” it read. “He was loved and admired by ALL, especially me, and now, he is no longer with us. Melania and my Sympathies go out to his beautiful wife Erika, and family. Charlie, we love you!”
From everyone here at Epicstream, we wish to extend our condolences to the Kirk family.