MSNBC has fired political analyst Matthew Dowd following his live news coverage of Kirk’s shooting, where Dowd implied that Kirk’s rhetoric had a role in fostering his assassination.
“Hateful thoughts lead to hateful words, which then lead to hateful actions,” Dowd expressed during the broadcast.
The controversy intensified when Fox News host Jesse Watters publicly called for Dowd’s dismissal after the analyst described Kirk as a “divisive” figure and connected his rhetoric to the shooting.
As previously reported by The Dallas Express, Kirk was assassinated during an event in Utah while he was debating Utah Valley University students on September 10.
MSNBC President Rebecca Kutler swiftly condemned Dowd’s comments.
“During our breaking news coverage of the shooting of Charlie Kirk, Matthew Dowd made comments that were inappropriate, insensitive, and unacceptable,” Kutler said in announcing the network’s decision to part ways with the analyst.
The network issued a public apology, distancing itself from Dowd’s analysis. “We apologize for his statements, as has he. There is no place for violence in America, political or otherwise,” Kutler added.
Dowd himself attempted to clarify his remarks, saying, “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.”
Dowd joined MSNBC in 2022 after previously working at ABC News.