MSNBC fires Matthew Dowd for suggesting Charlie Kirk deserved to be shot

OMER, UTAH: MSNBC political analyst Matthew Dowd was fired on Wednesday, September 10, after he suggested that Charlie Kirk's "hate speech" inevitably led to him being shot.

Kirk was shot during a Turning Point USA event at Utah Valley University in Orem on Wednesday and tragically died after being rushed to the hosptial.

MSNBC analyst Matthew Dowd said 'hateful thoughts lead to hateful actions' after Charlie Kirk's death

Following Charlie Kirk's death, Matthew Dowd argued on 'Katy Tur Reports' that Kirk’s "hate speech" inevitably led to him being shot.

Dowd said, "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," he added.

Dowd further mentioned, "And I think that’s the environment we’re in. People just, 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’re in."

A video from the campus courtyard that went viral online shows Kirk clutching his neck as the audience scatters, and security rushed him from the scene.

A source in contact with Kirk's colleagues informed the Daily Caller that Kirk was still alive in the hospital, but he had lost a substantial amount of blood.

Moreover, the outlet also obtained an eyewitness account from a local college student who was near the back of the crowd.

The student said that as Kirk discussed the Latter-day Saints faith and moved closer to attendees, "all of a sudden, out of nowhere, there was this loud bang, just one shot, bang. And I saw him hit in the neck, and I saw red gushing blood out of it."

MSNBC fires Matthew Dowd, issues an apology

Following Matthew Dowd's remarks on Charlie Kirk, MSNBC fired the political analyst and also issued an apology.

Dowd's remarks sparked outrage across social media, and MSNBC president Rebecca Kutler issued an apology in response. She also slammed Dowd’s comments as "inappropriate, insensitive and unacceptable".

Kutler said in a statement shared to the MSNBC Public Relations X account, "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."

Moreover, Dowd also issued his own apology for his commentary on his BlueSky account.

He wrote, "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."

President Donald Trump announced Kirk’s death on Truth Social and wrote, "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!"