MSNBC has parted ways with political analyst Matthew Dowd after comments he made during live coverage of the fatal shooting of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk at a college event in Utah.
The network issued an apology Wednesday, saying Dowd's remarks were "inappropriate, insensitive and unacceptable," and on Wednesday evening Variety reported that Dowd had been let go. During the breaking-news appearance, Dowd suggested the gunshot that struck Kirk could have been fired by one of Kirk's supporters and described Kirk as a divisive figure, comments that drew immediate criticism from viewers and public figures.
"During our breaking news coverage of the shooting of Charlie Kirk, Matthew Dowd made comments that were inappropriate, insensitive and unacceptable. We apologize for his statements, as has he," MSNBC President Rebecca Kutler said in an earlier statement. "There is no place for violence in America, political or otherwise." Dowd, a longtime political analyst and the chief strategist for George W. Bush's 2004 re-election campaign, issued his own apology on the social platform BlueSky, saying he had not intended to blame Kirk and that his tone was wrong.
Kirk, 31, was shot while speaking at Utah Valley University in Orem during an event that organizers described as part of his "Great American Comeback Tour." Witnesses and campus officials said the bullet entered Kirk's neck as he sat under a tented gazebo. Video circulating online showed Kirk collapsing and attendees screaming; witnesses described chaotic scenes and people running for cover. University officials said the shot was fired from the top of the Losee Center, about 200 feet away from the stage.
Authorities initially detained an elderly man and later a person described as a "person of interest," but both were released after questioning, Utah Gov. Spencer Cox and FBI Director Kash Patel said. The FBI said the individual taken into custody was released after interrogation and that the investigation remains active. As of Wednesday evening, officials had not identified or arrested a suspect.
Kirk, the founder of the conservative group Turning Point USA and a prominent online voice with a large following, is survived by his wife, Erika Frantzve, a three-year-old daughter and a 16-month-old son. The couple celebrated their fourth wedding anniversary in May. The White House ordered American flags to be lowered to half-staff through Sunday evening in Kirk's memory.
Coverage of the shooting prompted swift public rebuke of Dowd's commentary. Critics on social media urged journalists to refrain from politically charged conjecture during breaking news about a fatal attack. Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy and other public figures publicly challenged Dowd's suggestion that the gunshot might have been celebratory fire from a supporter.
Dowd had said on air that the nation faces an environment in which "hateful thoughts lead to hateful words, which then lead to hateful actions," and that Kirk was "one of the most divisive, especially divisive younger figures." In his BlueSky post, Dowd wrote: "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."
The shooting prompted Utah Valley University to evacuate the campus and cancel classes until further notice. Witnesses said some attendees were treated at the scene, and campus officials and law enforcement personnel were investigating the location and trajectory of the shot. Authorities have asked anyone with video or information to come forward.
The killing has intensified scrutiny of rhetoric and violence in U.S. political life, with leaders and commentators on both sides calling for calm while law enforcement continues the investigation. The FBI and local authorities said they would provide updates as they develop more information and urged the public to avoid speculation that might hinder the investigation.
MSNBC did not immediately respond to requests for further comment beyond the statement from its president. Variety reported Dowd's departure Wednesday evening; the Daily Mail reported the development and contacted the network for comment.