Audible cheering and applause disrupted a TMZ Live broadcast announcing the death of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk, creating an unfortunate moment that quickly went viral online.
It happened as the TMZ host was preparing to confirm Kirk’s passing. Off-camera voices could be heard shouting “woo-hoo” and clapping enthusiastically in the background.
TMZ staff quickly clarified that the celebration was unrelated to Kirk’s death. According to newsroom employees, a separate team was watching a live police chase on another monitor. The cheering coincided with a dramatic moment in the pursuit where a suspect attempted a risky escape maneuver.
Viewers who watched the broadcast live pointed to a specific police chase video that appeared to match the timeline. The chase footage shows a particularly intense moment around the nine–10 minute mark that would typically prompt reactions in newsrooms that regularly cover such events.
The timing proved especially unfortunate. The cheering occurred just as the host was transitioning into the death announcement, creating the impression that staff were celebrating Kirk’s passing.
Charlie Kirk founded Turning Point USA in 2012 and hosted The Charlie Kirk Show. He was a prominent figure in conservative media and a polarizing presence in American politics, known for his campus activism and strong positions on immigration and election integrity.
The viral clip sparked immediate debate online. Some viewers found TMZ’s explanation implausible, arguing that newsroom staff wouldn’t react so enthusiastically to a routine police chase. Others defended the explanation, noting that chase coverage is common entertainment in LA media and dramatic moments regularly prompt audible reactions.
TMZ has not issued an official statement beyond the initial explanation from staff members. The exact timing of the cheering relative to the death announcement remains a point of contention among viewers who analyzed the clip frame by frame.
