Van Lathan was fired from TMZ in October 2019 after a disagreement with a colleague escalated into a verbal altercation.
Lathan, who had been with TMZ for several years and was a prominent on-air personality, was involved in a confrontation with fellow staffer Michael Babcock. The incident, which was not aired, reportedly took place in the newsroom and stemmed from a disagreement over a political matter. The argument became heated, and at some point, Lathan allegedly threatened Babcock, which led to HR involvement.
The decision to terminate Lathan’s employment was made after an internal review of the incident. The news of his firing was met with a mix of reactions from fans and viewers, many of whom had come to appreciate his contributions to the show, particularly his perspective on social and political issues.
Lathan himself addressed the situation on social media and in interviews, expressing his disappointment but also his intention to move forward positively. Since his departure from TMZ, Van Lathan has continued to work in media, including hosting “The Red Pill” podcast, where he discusses various topics ranging from pop culture to politics.