MSNBC has fired political analyst Matthew Dowd after comments he made during the network’s live coverage of the shooting of conservative activist Charlie Kirk drew widespread condemnation.
"During our breaking news coverage of the shooting of Charlie Kirk, Matthew Dowd made comments that were inappropriate, insensitive and unacceptable," MSNBC president Rebecca Kutler said in a statement. "We apologize for his statements, as has he. There is no place for violence in America, political or otherwise."
The remarks came while Dowd was discussing the shooting, which occurred Wednesday at an event on the campus of Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah. Dowd suggested the attack could be tied to a broader environment he described as shaped by "hateful words" and said, "hateful thoughts lead to hateful words, which then lead to hateful actions." On air he also said, "We don’t know any of the full details of this yet. We don’t know if this was a supporter shooting their gun off in celebration."
Kirk later died of his wounds. The 31-year-old was a founder of the conservative organization Turning Point USA and a prominent backer of former President Donald Trump.
Dowd issued an apology on the social platform Bluesky after his remarks provoked criticism. "On an earlier appearance on MSNBC I was asked a question on the environment we are in. I apologize for my tone and words. Let me be clear, I in no way intended for my comments to blame Kirk for this horrendous attack. Let us all come together and condemn violence of any kind," he wrote.
The firing followed sharp reactions from conservative commentators and some White House staffers, who denounced Dowd’s remarks and urged MSNBC to remove him. Fox News' Jesse Watters said Dowd should be terminated immediately. A senior administration official, speaking to Fox News Digital, called the comments "scumbag" rhetoric that harms the nation. MSNBC did not provide additional comment beyond Kutler’s statement.
Dowd joined MSNBC in 2022 after a long tenure at ABC News and a career that included work as a Republican strategist. He has also been active in Democratic politics, mounting an unsuccessful bid for the Democratic nomination for Texas lieutenant governor in 2021.
News organizations and political leaders reacted to the shooting itself with calls for unity and denunciations of political violence. Details about the motive behind the attack and the identity of the shooter were not immediately available, and authorities have not publicly tied the incident to any specific political cause.
The killing of Kirk adds to a series of high-profile incidents that have prompted renewed debate about rhetoric, polarization and safety at political events. Coverage of the shooting has included scrutiny of statements made by public figures across the political spectrum and how those statements are discussed in real time on cable news.
This report is based on statements from MSNBC, Dowd’s public apology, and contemporaneous reporting of the shooting at Utah Valley University.
