MSNBC has cut ties with political analyst Matthew Dowd after he suggested that Charlie Kirk’s “hateful” rhetoric contributed to the conservative activist’s assassination, according to multiple reports.
Kirk, 31, founder of Turning Point USA, was shot in the neck during a campus event at Utah Valley University. He later died of his injuries.
Kirk leaves behind his wife, Erika, and their two young children.
The Remarks
Dowd, a former Republican strategist turned Democratic commentator, appeared on MSNBC’s live coverage Wednesday afternoon after news broke that Kirk had been shot at Utah Valley University.
“We don’t know if this was a supporter shooting their gun off in celebration,” Dowd speculated before Kirk’s death had been confirmed.
🚨OMG — MSNBC just said the shooter might have been “a supporter shooting their gun off in celebration.”
WHAT?!
The Fake News is blaming MAGA already. Shameful. pic.twitter.com/BEOP3NlgFD
— Townhall.com (@townhallcom) September 10, 2025
Dowd then called Kirk “one of the most divisive younger figures” and argued that “hateful thoughts lead to hateful words, which then lead to hateful actions.”
🚨 BREAKING: Matthew Dowd has been FIRED from MSNBC after blaming the assassination of Charlie Kirk on Charlie himself, per Variety
Good riddance, loser! pic.twitter.com/BbfFxTTzpM
— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) September 11, 2025
Firing Confirmed
The comments quickly drew condemnation online, with critics accusing Dowd of blaming the victim.
MSNBC President Rebecca Kutler issued an unusual statement distancing the network from Dowd.
“During our breaking news coverage of the shooting of Charlie Kirk, Matthew Dowd made comments that were inappropriate, insensitive and unacceptable,” Kutler said. “We apologize for his statements, as has he. There is no place for violence in America, political or otherwise.”
By Wednesday evening, MSNBC confirmed Dowd was no longer with the network. He had been an analyst with the channel since 2022.
Dowd’s Apology
On the social media platform Bluesky, Dowd attempted to clarify his remarks.
“I apologize for my tone and words,” he wrote. “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.”
He also offered thoughts and prayers to Kirk’s family.
The apology did little to calm outrage.
“Dowd should be fired immediately; I expect him to be terminated within 24 hours,” Fox News host Jesse Watters said. “You can’t say Charlie deserved to die.”
A senior Trump administration official told Fox News Digital: “They are scumbags. They need to look inward and realize they are hurting this nation with their awful rhetoric.”
Dowd’s Background
Dowd previously ran as a Democrat for Texas lieutenant governor in 2021 after years as a Republican strategist and then an independent.
