Photo of Charlie Kirk, Matthew Dowd
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MSNBC fired political analyst Matthew Dowd following controversial statements he made about the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.

Kirk, 31, was shot in the neck while speaking to students at Utah Valley University in Orem, north of Provo on Wednesday, Sept. 10.

He was rushed to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead.

The gunman is still at large. A witness described him as a white male wearing jeans, a black shirt, black vest, black facemask, and carrying a long rifle.

Dowd, who worked at MSNBC since 2022, made the comments to MSNBC anchor Katy Tur on Wednesday. Tur asked Dowd to explain the “environment in which a shooting like this happens.”

He replied: “We don’t know if this was a supporter shooting their gun off in celebration. So we have no idea about this.”

Dowd continued:

“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. And I always go back to, hateful thoughts lead to hateful words, which then lead to hateful actions. And I think that’s the environment we’re in.”

The reaction was swift on social media. MSNBC viewers accused Dowd of blaming Kirk for his own murder.

In a statement on Wednesday, MSNBC president Rebecca Kutler apologized for Dowd’s remarks.

“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.”

Dowd also issued his own apology on Wednesday.

“My thoughts & prayers are w/ the family and friends of Charlie Kirk,” he wrote on Threads. “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.”