MSNBC Fires Political Commentator Matthew Dowd After ‘Insensitive’ Charlie Kirk Remarks: Report

Matthew Dowd will be missing from MSNBC programming from now on.

As National Enquirer previously reported, right-wing political activist Charlie Kirk, 31, was shot and killed while speaking at Utah Valley University on Wednesday, September 10. Afterwards, Dowd, 64, appeared on MSNBC and was asked by Katy Tur about “the environment in which a shooting like this happens,” according to Variety.

“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 political analyst responded.

“And I always go back to, hateful thoughts lead to hateful words, which then lead to hateful actions,” he continued.

“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,” the political pundit added. “And that’s the unfortunate environment we are in.”

A network source told Variety that Dowd’s remarks got him fired by MSNBC.

However, after receiving backlash on his comments, Dowd issued an apology via BlueSky.

“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.”

A few hours later, MSNBC President Rebecca Kutler released her own statement via the network’s public relations account on X.

“During our breaking news coverage of the shooting of Charlie Kirk, Matthew Dowd made comments that were inappropriate, insensitive and unacceptable,” Kutler wrote. “We apologize for his statements, as has he. There is no place for violence in America, political or otherwise.”