MSNBC political analyst Matthew Dowd has been fired from the network over comments he made about the death of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, who was fatally shot at a college event in Utah on Wednesday (September 10). He was 31 years old.
As reported by Variety, citing a network source, Dowd was dismissed following backlash to comments he made on MSNBC on Wednesday regarding Kirk’s killing.
After anchor Katy Tur asked Dowd about “the environment in which a shooting like this happens,” per Variety, the former chief strategist for the Bush–Cheney 2004 presidential campaign said of 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.”
Dowd continued, “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.”
The analyst’s comments sparked outrage on social media, leading to MSNBC president Rebecca Kutler issuing an apology on behalf of the network. “We apologize for his statements, as has he. There is no place for violence in America, political or otherwise,” Kutler wrote on the MSNBC Public Relations X account.
Statement from MSNBC president Rebecca Kutler: “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…
— MSNBC Public Relations (@MSNBCPR) September 10, 2025
Dowd also posted an apology on his BlueSky account, 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.”
He added, “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 was hosting the event in Utah on Wednesday as part of his “American Comeback Tour” series of speaking to college students when he appeared to be shot in the neck.
President Donald Trump later confirmed Kirk had died in a statement on Truth Social, writing, “The Great, and even Legendary, Charlie Kirk, is dead. No one understood or had the Heart of the Youth in the United States of America better than Charlie. He was loved and admired by ALL, especially me, and now, he is no longer with us. Melania and my Sympathies go out to his beautiful wife Erika, and family. Charlie, we love you!”