MSNBC political analyst Matthew Dowd was fired from the network after his comments about Charlie Kirk following the shooting at Utah Valley University, according to Variety, citing sources.
“You can’t stop with these sort of awful thoughts you have and then saying these awful words and then not expect awful actions to take place,” Dowd, who most recently ran as a Democrat for Texas lieutenant governor, said moments after the shooting on Wednesday.
“That’s the unfortunate environment we’re in.”
MSNBC president Rebecca Kutler quickly rushed to put out the fire after Dowd’s comments sparked backlash online.
“During our breaking news coverage of the shooting of Charlie Kirk, Matthew Dowd made comments that were inappropriate, insensitive, and unacceptable,” Kutler said in a statement on X after the segment.
“We apologize for his statements, as has he. There is no place for violence in America, political or otherwise,” Kutler said.
The outlet ultimately axed Dowd for his “insensitive” words later Wednesday, sources told Variety.
Dowd also strangely suggested that a supporter could have killed Kirk by shooting off their gun in “celebration,” during the segment.
“We don’t know if this was a supporter shooting their gun off in celebration,” Dowd told Tur.
“We have no idea,” he told the lefty network. “We don’t know any of the full details of this.”
Dowd joined MSNBC in 2022 after a long career at ABC News.
The political analyst later apologized for his comments.
“My thoughts & prayers are w/ the family and friends of Charlie Kirk,” Dowd said. “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.”
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