MSNBC political analyst Matthew Dowd has been fired from the network after remarks he made in the wake of Charlie Kirk’s assassination at Utah Valley University.
Kirk, 31, the CEO and co-founder of Turning Point USA, was addressing a massive outdoor crowd in Orem on September 10 as part of his “American Comeback Tour” when the gunfire erupted.
Video circulating online shows him raising his hand to his neck before collapsing from his chair, sending attendees fleeing in panic.
The shooting drew immediate reactions from political leaders. President Donald Trump first announced Kirk’s death on Truth Social, writing: “The Great, and even Legendary, Charlie Kirk, is dead.
"No one understood or had the Heart of the Youth in the United States of America better than Charlie. He was loved and admired by ALL, especially me, and now, he is no longer with us. Melania and my Sympathies go out to his beautiful wife Erika, and family. Charlie, we love you!” he added.
Later from the Oval Office, the 79-year-old said he was “filled with grief and anger,” blaming “those on the radical left” for rhetoric he claimed had fueled violence. “This kind of rhetoric is directly responsible for the terrorism that we’re seeing in our country today, and it must stop right now.”
President Joe Biden also weighed in: "There is no place in our country for this kind of violence. It must end now. Jill and I are praying for Charlie Kirk’s family and loved ones."
As tributes poured in, MSNBC found itself at the center of backlash over Dowd’s commentary.
"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," the analyst said during the network’s breaking coverage. "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," he added.
Dowd also speculated: “We don’t know if this was a supporter shooting their gun off in celebration. We have no idea. We don’t know any of the full details of this.”
MSNBC president Rebecca Kutler quickly issued a statement on X: “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.”
Variety reported that the network cut ties with Dowd later that day. The longtime analyst, who joined MSNBC in 2022 after a career at ABC News, later apologized on social media.
“My thoughts & prayers are w/ the family and friends of Charlie Kirk,” he wrote on his BlueSky account. “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.”
Officials say the shot was likely fired from the roof of the university’s Losee Center, about 200 meters from where Kirk was speaking.
Clips shared by conspiracy theorist Alex Jones appear to show a figure moving on the rooftop in the aftermath, as well as attendees pointing out what they believed to be a person “running on the roof.”
Police initially arrested two suspects but later released them, saying they had “no current ties” to the attack.
FBI Director Kash Patel confirmed: "The subject in custody has been released after an interrogation by law enforcement. Our investigation continues, and we will continue to release information in interest of transparency."