TMZ apologized after raucous laughter was heard on its livestream just as Charlie Kirk’s death was confirmed, making clear it was unrelated and just “horrible timing.”
The news site quickly posted an explanation post and video soon after it created unintended outrage as staffers were heard cheering and clapping in the background around the same time it announced Kirk had died.
TMZ apologized after raucous laughter was heard on its livestream just as Charlie Kirk’s death was confirmed. @TMZ/X
The news site quickly posted an explanation post and video soon after it created unintended outrage as staffers were heard cheering and clapping in the background around the same time it announced Kirk had died. TMZTMZ founder Harvey Levin and executive producer Charles Latibeaudiere looked crestfallen at the prospect that anyone could think it was connected to the “tragedy” of Kirk’s killing on Wednesday.
“As 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, and they were laughing. They were clapping. And you could hear it out here,” Levin explained in a video.
Charlie Kirk speaking at an event at Utah Valley University moments before being assassinated. via REUTERSHere's the latest on the Charlie Kirk shooting in Utah
- Police identified Tyler Robinson, 22, as the alleged assassin who fatally shot Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University on Sept. 10.
- Robinson was charged with aggravated murder, felony discharge of a firearm causing serious bodily injury and obstruction of justice.
- Law enforcement confirmed that Robinson was living with a transgender roommate, and communications between the two helped the feds catch the alleged assassin.
- Kirk, the 31-year-old Turning Point USA co-founder, was attending an event on his American Comeback Tour when he was struck in the neck by a single shot.
- President Trump was among many who have called for the assassin to receive the death penalty.
- Kirk’s body was brought to Arizona from Utah on Air Force Two, accompanied by Vice President JD Vance, and taken to Phoenix’s Hansen Mortuary Chapel.
- Kirk’s funeral, which Trump has promised to attend, is scheduled for Sept. 21 at State Farm Stadium, home of the Arizona Cardinals.
- Kirk, a rising MAGA star, is survived by his wife and two young children.
“I know these people — and they were not laughing, they were not reacting that way about Charlie Kirk’s assassination. They were not.
“And they would not work here if they did,” Levin stated firmly.
Kirk was fatally shot while speaking at an event at Utah Valley University on Sept. 10, 2025. APLatibeaudiere chimed in, saying TMZ acknowledges that it was “horrible timing.”
“And for that, we are sorry,” Latibeaudiere said wholeheartedly.
“We apologize,” Levin added.
