MSNBC Fires Matthew Dowd After He Said Charlie Kirk’s ‘Hateful Words Lead to Hateful Actions’

MSNBC has fired political analyst Matthew Dowd after his comments on the fatal shooting of conservative activist and key Trump ally Charlie Kirk sparked outrage online.

During live coverage of the shooting, Dowd said Kirk was “one of the most divisive younger figures” who spread rhetoric targeting certain groups. He added that “hateful thoughts lead to hateful words, which then lead to hateful actions.” His remarks implied that Kirk’s own words created an environment for violence.

At the time Dowd spoke, it had not yet been confirmed that Charlie Kirk had died. Shortly after, news broke that Kirk, 31, had been killed by a rooftop sniper while speaking at Utah Valley University. He leaves behind his wife, Erika Frantzve, and their two children.

Dowd’s comments quickly went viral, with many social media users calling them “disgusting” and accusing him of justifying the killing. One user on X wrote: “Put your politics aside and have some humanity. Charlie is a person, a husband and father.”

MSNBC president Rebecca Kutler later issued a public apology, saying: “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.”

Following the backlash, Dowd was terminated from his role at MSNBC. He has since apologised, though his remarks continue to trend across platforms.

“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,” he wrote on his BlueSky account. 

Here's what he was heard speaking during the coverage: “We don’t know any of the full details of this yet. We don’t know if this was a supporter shooting their gun off in celebration. 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. 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’re in.”  

Meanwhile, the investigation into Kirk’s assassination continues. Authorities say the sniper fired from a rooftop in dark clothing. The FBI initially detained a person of interest but later confirmed that the suspect was not the shooter. The gunman remains at large.

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