UPDATED: Matthew Dowd is no longer with MSNBC, a network source confirmed, following a furor over remarks he made in the aftermath of the shooting of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
Earlier, the president of MSNBC apologized for remarks made by Dowd, a political analyst who had been with the network since 2022. Dowd also issued his own apology.
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 before asking Dowd to talk about the “environment in which a shooting like this happens.” He told her, “We don’t know if this was a supporter shooting their gun off in celebration. So we have no 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.
Dowd later wrote on Bluesky, “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. 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.”
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