MSNBC has terminated political analyst Matthew Dowd following widespread backlash over comments he made during the network’s coverage of the assassination of conservative activist and Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk on Wednesday.
Kirk, 31, was fatally shot on stage by an unidentified gunman during a “Prove Me Wrong” debate event at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah, prompting a national outcry and intense media scrutiny.
During MSNBC’s live coverage, anchored by Katy Tur at approximately 2:50 p.m. ET, Dowd appeared as a guest commentator and suggested that Kirk’s own rhetoric may have contributed to the violent act against him.
Within seconds of reporting Kirk had been shot, anchor Katy Tur speculated aloud about whether President Donald Trump might “use the Charlie Kirk shooting as a justification for something bad.” MSNBC Politics reporter Allan Smith wondered if conservatives might now do something similar to the “take over Washington” as it did in response to a DOGE staffer getting mugged. All of this, as viewers were just learning that Kirk had been assassinated.
“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 stated. He elaborated, “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.”
🚨 BREAKING: Matthew Dowd has been FIRED from MSNBC after blaming the assassination of Charlie Kirk on Charlie himself, per Variety
— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) September 11, 2025
Good riddance, loser! pic.twitter.com/BbfFxTTzpM
The remarks sparked immediate controversy, with critics on social media platforms, particularly X, accusing Dowd of victim-blaming and politicizing a tragedy. The backlash was amplified by conservative commentators and politicians, who argued that Dowd’s comments were not only insensitive but also reflective of broader media bias.
By Wednesday evening, MSNBC president Rebecca Kutler issued a public apology, describing Dowd’s statements as “inappropriate, insensitive, and unacceptable.” She announced his termination, stating, “Such remarks have no place in our coverage, especially in the wake of such a tragic event, and we have ended our relationship with Mr. Dowd effective immediately.”
Kirk was shot near the neck during a question-and-answer session with a student, reportedly discussing mass shootings involving transgender individuals, as captured in widely circulated video footage. The gunman fled the scene, and despite a swift response from law enforcement, the suspect remains at large.