A TV analyst for MSNBC has been fired after making controversial remarks about Charlie Kirk after he was shot.
Kirk died on Wednesday
Charlie Kirk, 31, died on Wednesday, September 10, when he was fatally shot at Utah Valley University while manning his ‘Prove Me Wrong’ table as part of his ‘American Comeback’ tour.
The rightwing activist, who was also a close friend to US President Donald Trump, was shot in the neck and died of his injuries.
Trump put out a statement following his death
Taking to social media, Donald Trump confirmed news of Kirk’s death, 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.”
The president paid him tribute
Trump added, “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!”
The shooting was covered by several news channels
The incident of Kirk’s death was covered by several outlets, one of which was MSNBC, which featured political analyst Matthew Dowd commentating on the matter.
MSNBC’s Katy Tur had asked a question about ‘the environment in which a shooting like this happens’.
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Dowd gave a response that many didn’t like
To Tur’s question, Dowd replied, “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,” he added, per The Hollywood Reporter.
He kept talking about the activist
“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 went on.
A clip of Dowd’s remarks was posted online where he received backlash, with one person branding his words as ‘unhinged’.
Many weren’t happy with what he said
Truly an unhinged rant from a lefty lunatic. Imagine saying somebody basically deserves to get murdered for their political beliefs just cause you don’t agree with him.
— Dave Portnoy (@stoolpresidente) September 10, 2025
pic.twitter.com/JLdK1BUB2d
One person online wrote, “Truly an unhinged rant from a lefty lunatic. Imagine saying somebody basically deserves to get murdered for their political beliefs just cause you don’t agree with him.”
The political analyst has since lost his job, with MSNBC issuing a public apology for his words.
MSNBC issued a statement about his remarks
A statement by MSNBC president Rebecca Kutler read, “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.”
