A clip circulating online has sparked controversy after allegedly capturing TMZ staff laughing or cheering during a live stream covering the shooting of Charlie Kirk. The incident occurred when President Trump announced Kirk’s death, with audio from the background reportedly showing mixed reactions.

TMZ founder Harvey Levin later attempted to clarify the situation, claiming employees were watching a car chase rather than the news about Kirk. However, analysis by Patrick Bet-David highlighted discrepancies in this explanation. By syncing TMZ’s live stream with an ABC7 broadcast, Bet-David demonstrated that the staff’s reactions coincided with Trump’s announcement of Kirk’s death, not a separate event.

In the footage, voices in the background are heard reacting to the news, prompting Levin to later assert that the employees were distracted by a car chase. However, further evidence suggested the staff was responding to the same breaking news about Kirk. Bet-David questioned the credibility of TMZ’s explanation, noting the lack of excitement in the car chase footage compared to the alleged reactions.

The controversy has raised questions about TMZ’s transparency and professionalism, with critics arguing the network’s behavior was inappropriate given the severity of the situation. The incident underscores ongoing debates about media accountability during high-profile events.