The president of MSNBC apologized for remarks made by political analyst Matthew Dowd during the network’s coverage of the shooting of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
Rebecca Kutler said in the statement, “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. There is no place for violence in America, political or otherwise.”
Around 3 p.m. ET, as networks were scrambling for more details of what happened, MSNBC’s Katy Tur spoke about Utah’s gun laws, she turned to Dowd, asking him about “the environment in which a shooting like this happens…. We don’t know if this was a supporter shooting their gun off in celebration. So we have know idea about this.”
He added about Kirk, “He’s been one of the most divisive, especially divisive younger figures in this, who is constantly sort of pushing this sort of hate speech or sort of aimed at certain groups. And I always go back to, hateful thoughts lead to hateful words, which then lead to hateful actions. And I think that is the environment we are in. You can’t stop with these sort of awful thoughts you have and then saying these awful words and not expect awful actions to take place. And that’s the unfortunate environment we are in.”
Dowd’s comment quickly spread on social media, drawing criticism for him and the network.
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