MSNBC has fired political analyst Matthew Dowd after comments he made on air moments after right-wing activist Charlie Kirk was shot at a speaking event in Utah, according to Variety, which cited unnamed sources.
Dowd, who most recently ran as a Democrat for Texas lieutenant governor, made the remarks during live coverage of the Sept. 10 shooting at Utah Valley University in Orem. "You can’t stop with these sort of awful thoughts you have and then saying these awful words and then not expect awful actions to take place," he said. Earlier in the appearance, before Kirk’s death was publicly confirmed, Dowd said, "We don’t know if this was a supporter shooting their gun off in celebration," comments that critics said implied a link between lax firearms laws and the attack.
Variety reported the firing late Thursday; the outlet cited unidentified sources. Dowd issued an apology on his BlueSky account the same day, writing, "My thoughts & prayers are w/ the family and friends of Charlie Kirk. 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."
Kirk, a conservative commentator and founder of Turning Point USA, was shot while speaking at the university, according to law enforcement and media reports. The shooting prompted a vigil at the Utah State Capitol and widespread coverage across national outlets. The circumstances of the attack, including motive and the identity of the shooter, were the subject of ongoing investigation in the immediate aftermath.
Dowd’s comments and the subsequent news of his dismissal highlight scrutiny of on-air commentary in the wake of politically charged violence. He had held roles as a Republican strategist in earlier parts of his career before his recent Democratic candidacy in Texas, a background that had made him a frequent television commentator on politics.
Attempts to obtain comment from MSNBC were not successful by publication time. The network’s personnel decisions and the handling of on-air remarks in the hours after a mass-shooting incident are expected to continue drawing attention as officials investigate the attack and as public debate over political rhetoric and violence persists.