An MSNBC analyst who suggested Charlie Kirk’s “hateful words” were responsible for his shocking assassination has been fired by the network.
Political analyst Matthew Dowd appeared on the network as part of Katy Tur Reports when news broke of gunfire at Utah Valley University, where Kirk, 31, was speaking on Wednesday afternoon.
Host Tur introduced the analyst, then clarified that reports of what happened had yet to be confirmed. Dowd said, “We don’t know the full details of this; we don’t know if this was a supporter shooting their gun off in celebration or, so we have no idea about this.”
He added: “He’s been one of the most divisive, especially divisive younger figures in this who is constantly pushing this sort of hate speech aimed at certain groups.”
He added, “I always go back to hateful thoughts lead to hateful words, which then lead to hateful actions. I think that’s the environment we’re in… you can’t stop with these awful thoughts you have and then saying these awful words and then not expect awful actions to take place.”
Tur awkwardly stopped Dowd to say they had confirmation Kirk had been shot and cut to their investigative correspondent Marc Santia. But minutes later she returned to Dowd to discuss the rise of political shootings in the U.S.
Dowd said America had “this awful toxic stew of political, divisive hate speech that’s being pushed and simultaneously combined with unbelievable access that people have to guns and guns at every level, not just handguns or shotguns, but assault rifles.
He added, “We’re one of one in the world where we have this free speech, which has turned into hate speech, combined with access to guns. I hope we can take a pause and say, ‘what are we doing in America that’s different and why is this happening here?’”
As the news of Kirk’s death broke, social media was flooded with criticism of Dowd’s “hateful words lead to hateful actions” comments.
MSNBC president Rebecca Kutler apologized in a statement on X, stating “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.”
Dowd posted his own apology to BlueSky, stating his thoughts and prayers were with Kirk’s family and friends.
He added, “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.”
CNN Media Analyst Brian Setzer followed up with a post on X that read “Matthew Dowd is no longer an MSNBC political analyst, according to a network source.” The Wall Street Journal confirmed the move through a person familiar with the matter. Variety, meanwhile, cited a network source.
The Daily Beast has contacted MSNBC for comment.
The shooter who killed Kirk is still on the run at the time of publishing, with the FBI detaining then releasing a suspect overnight.
“Our investigation continues and we will continue to release information in interest of transparency,” FBI Director Kash Patel said.
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