MSNBC drew widespread criticism after on-air comments made while the network was reporting on the fatal shooting of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk at a college event in Utah on Wednesday.
During live coverage of the shooting at Utah Valley University in Orem, host Katy Tur described Kirk as "polarizing" and "divisive," and network contributor Matthew Dowd suggested on air that, in the absence of confirmed details, the gunshot could have been the result of a supporter "shooting their gun off in celebration." "We don't know any of the full details of this yet," Dowd said. "We don't know if this is a supporter shooting their gun off in celebration or... So we have no idea about this." He added comments linking hateful rhetoric to violent action, saying, "hateful thoughts lead to hateful words, which then lead to hateful actions."
Footage that circulated online appeared to show Kirk, 31, struck in the neck. He was killed at the event, which sources say included a security detail. As of Thursday evening, authorities had not publicly identified a suspect and the gunman remained at large. Kirk leaves a wife and two children.
The on-air discussion prompted immediate backlash on social media, where critics called the remarks "disgusting" and "shameful" and urged journalists to show restraint following the fatality. "Put your politics aside and have some humanity. Charlie is a person, a husband and father," one user wrote on X in response to the segment. Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy also publicly rejected Dowd's speculation, posting on X that he would "rule out" the notion the shooting was celebratory.
Former President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social around 5 p.m., confirming Kirk's death and praising him as a figure who "understood or had the Heart of the Youth in the United States of America," and extending sympathies to Kirk's family.
MSNBC's Tur and Dowd framed their remarks in part as caveats about the lack of confirmed information in the immediate aftermath of the shooting. Dowd prefaced his speculation by noting the details were not yet known. The comments, however, were widely criticized for appearing to politicize the incident while the facts were still emerging.
Media outlets and local authorities were reporting and updating details through the day. Video footage and social posts circulated online as journalists sought confirmations from law enforcement. The Daily Mail reported that it had reached out to MSNBC for comment.
The shooting has renewed attention on the safety of public events and the responsibilities of both commentators and broadcasters during breaking, traumatic events. Authorities in Orem have urged anyone with information about the incident to contact local law enforcement. Investigations into the circumstances of the shooting and the identity of the gunman were continuing.