The stunning assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk throughout a speech at Utah Valley College shook the world, however it was TMZ’s protection of the tragedy that lit up social media with outrage.

What ought to have been a respectful livestream reporting Kirk’s demise as an alternative become a scandal after viewers heard laughter and clapping within the background.

Many accused TMZ staff of mocking Kirk’s demise, forcing the outlet to situation a public apology and make clear what actually occurred.

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

Loomer claimed that the information outlet’s staffers “cheered 30 seconds earlier than” Charlie Kirk’s demise was confirmed on-air, calling the conduct “disgusting” and “shameful.”

She pointed the finger straight at Harvey Levin, who was main the printed, insisting he ought to condemn the incident.

“They have been comfortable to listen to the information of Charlie Kirk’s demise and might be heard clapping and cheering earlier than passing the information,” she wrote, including that she clipped the footage “earlier than they attempt to delete it.”

Loomer reminded followers that Kirk was not solely a public determine but in addition “a husband and a father” who was “murdered in chilly blood,” making the second much more offensive.

Her phrases and the clip rapidly went viral, sparking a storm of anger towards the publication.

With stress constructing, TMZ launched an announcement on its web site and addressed the controversy head-on.

The outlet defined that the noise had nothing to do with Charlie Kirk’s demise, however as an alternative got here from staff in one other a part of the constructing watching a automotive chase.

“The individuals watching that automotive chase started laughing and clapping in response to what they have been seeing,” TMZ wrote, including, “however we wish to make it clear they weren’t cheering in response to the assassination.”

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

They went on to apologize to anybody who heard the background noise whereas Levin and Charles Latibeaudiere have been reporting the tragic story, acknowledging the harm and confusion it precipitated.

“Watching a automotive chase at that second was tone-deaf,” the assertion learn, because the outlet promised to do higher.

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

Levin stated that if anybody had actually been cheering over Kirk’s demise, “they wouldn’t have been working at TMZ,” stressing that the outlet took the matter significantly.

He revealed that he truly “walked off-camera” through the livestream to examine what was taking place within the workplace after listening to the noise himself.

Levin admitted the timing was “inappropriate” and confirmed that viewers might see his response by rewatching the complete stream.

“We acknowledge that it was horrible timing, and for that we’re sorry,” he stated.

Each males admitted that whereas the laughter wasn’t about Kirk’s demise, it nonetheless created a notion that was deeply disrespectful.

Shortly after the duo tendered their apology, followers took to social media to share their ideas.

On X, many customers slammed Levin and Latibeaudiere, noting that their rationalization was false.

“Don’t consider this for a second. This occurred on the actual second Trump confirmed that Charlie had handed away,” one individual wrote.

One other fan shared the identical sentiments, revealing that it wasn’t a coincidence that the cheering got here precisely when Trump introduced Charlie Kirk’s demise.

Some followers shared that the duo was mendacity, as there was no automotive chase happening in California.

“You’d higher present the automotive chase on video or the information as a result of no person believes you proper now,” one fan shared.

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