TMZ Faces Backlash Over Laughter During Charlie Kirk Coverage

Faced with a storm of criticism, TMZ’s executive producers Harvey Levin and Charles Latibeaudiere quickly addressed the incident in a follow-up broadcast.

“We were livestreaming all day during this tragedy,” Levin explained. “When we were reporting the assassination of Charlie Kirk, there were some people in the back room, away from our news desk, who were watching a car chase.”

According to Levin, the cheering and laughter came from staff members reacting to the car chase, not Kirk’s death. He insisted that if any employees had laughed at the tragedy, “they wouldn’t still be working at TMZ.”

Latibeaudiere echoed Levin’s remarks, acknowledging the poor timing:
“We acknowledge that it was horrible timing. And for that, we are sorry. We assure you, the laughter was not about that.”

A Public Apology

Soon after, TMZ released an official written statement on their website, offering a more detailed apology.

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