MSNBC fired political analyst Matthew Dowd after remarks he made on live TV following the fatal shooting of Charlie Kirk, the 31-year-old Turning Point USA co-founder, at Utah Valley University on September 10. Officials said a single shot was fired from a campus rooftop; two people were briefly detained and released, and the shooter remains at large.
Asked about the “environment” for such violence, Dowd called Kirk “one of the most divisive” figures and linked hateful thoughts and words to hateful actions. His comments drew swift criticism.
MSNBC president Rebecca Kutler called the remarks “inappropriate, insensitive and unacceptable,” issuing an apology on behalf of the network. Dowd also apologized on Bluesky, saying he didn’t intend to blame Kirk and condemning all violence.
Despite the apology, the network terminated Dowd. Meanwhile, the police manhunt for the gunman continues.
