MSNBC has terminated political analyst Matthew Dowd following controversial on-air comments he made about conservative activist Charlie Kirk after Kirk was fatally shot at Utah Valley University on September 10, 2025.
During MSNBC’s live breaking news coverage of the shooting, host Katy Tur asked Dowd to discuss “the environment in which a shooting like this happens.” Dowd responded by suggesting that Kirk, who died from his injuries, bore some responsibility for the violence due to his rhetoric. He characterized Kirk as one of the most divisive younger political figures who constantly pushed hate speech aimed at certain groups.
According to Variety, Dowd stated that hateful thoughts lead to hateful words, which then lead to hateful actions. He indicated that people cannot express awful thoughts and words without expecting awful actions to take place, describing this as the unfortunate environment America currently faces.
Dowd also made the peculiar suggestion during the segment that the shooting might have been caused by a supporter firing their gun in celebration, telling anchor Katy Tur that they had no idea about the full details of the incident.
The comments sparked immediate backlash across social media platforms, prompting swift action from MSNBC leadership. Network President Rebecca Kutler issued a public apology through the MSNBC Public Relations account on X, describing Dowd’s remarks as inappropriate, insensitive, and unacceptable. Kutler emphasized that there is no place for violence in America, political or otherwise.
Following the widespread criticism, Dowd attempted to clarify his position through his BlueSky social media account. He apologized for his tone and words, stating that he never intended to blame Kirk for the attack. He called for unity in condemning violence of any kind while expressing thoughts and prayers for Kirk’s family and friends.
Despite the apologies from both the network and Dowd himself, MSNBC quietly terminated Dowd’s employment later on September 10. Network sources confirmed his departure to multiple media outlets, including Variety, Deadline, and Fox News.
Kirk, who was 31 years old, served as co-founder of Turning Point USA, a conservative student organization with significant influence on college campuses nationwide. He was conducting an event as part of his American Comeback Tour when he was struck in the neck by gunfire. Despite immediate medical attention, he died from his injuries at a local hospital.
President Donald Trump announced Kirk’s death through his Truth Social platform, describing him as great and legendary. Trump indicated that no one understood or connected with American youth better than Kirk, expressing condolences to Kirk’s wife Erika and their family. Kirk is survived by his wife, former Miss Arizona USA Erika Frantzve, and their two children, including a three-year-old daughter and one-year-old son.
The shooting occurred at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah, where Kirk was surrounded by thousands of attendees when the incident took place. Authorities initially detained a person of interest but later released the individual after questioning. The manhunt for Kirk’s shooter has extended into multiple days as the FBI continues its investigation.
Utah Governor Spencer Cox characterized the incident as a political assassination, stating that authorities do not believe a second person was involved. FBI Director Kash Patel announced through social media that the person in custody had been released following interrogation, with the investigation continuing in the interest of transparency.
Dowd joined MSNBC in 2022 after spending years as a political analyst at ABC News. He previously served as chief strategist for President George W. Bush’s 2004 presidential campaign before later expressing disappointment with Bush administration policies. More recently, he ran unsuccessfully as a Democratic candidate for Texas lieutenant governor before abandoning that campaign in December 2021.
The incident has prompted broader discussions about political violence in America, with various public figures calling for unity and condemnation of violence across the political spectrum. Late-night television hosts and other media personalities have addressed the shooting, emphasizing the need to avoid political violence regardless of ideological differences.
