Political analyst Matthew Dowd affiliated with the US news agency MSNBC was reportedly fired in light of the remarks he made about conservative activist Charlie Kirk after his death in Utah.
Shortly after the key Donald Trump ally was fatally shot in the neck at Utah Valley University on Wednesday, September 10 (US time), Dowd was featured on MSNBC’s coverage of the harrowing shooting. Not much was known about the violent undertaking then, as the American political pundit went on to ridicule the late 31-year-old’s controversial ideology.
Charlie Kirk death: What Matthew Dowd said on MSNBC
“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,” he fumed during the broadcast.
“And I always go back to, hateful thoughts lead to hateful words, which then lead to hateful actions. 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. And that’s the unfortunate environment we are in.”
A network source privy to the latest development shared the word about Dowd being sacked with Variety.
Dowd even went on to speculate if the person who took aim at Kirk was possibly one of his supporters, presumably alluding to the Trump ally’s own controversial comments on “gun deaths” in the past. “We don’t know if this was a supporter shooting their gun off in celebration,” he told anchor Katy Tur. At the time, little was known about had happened at the Utah university.
Even as of now, not much clarity has been offered by the authorities, especially since certain subjects previously in custody had also been released after formal interrogations. Despite the lack of concrete arrests in the case, videos of a possible shooter being stationed on a roof over hundred yards from where Kirk was speaking have been circulating online.
MSNBC issue apology for Matthew Dowd’s remarks
Putting out a statement from the network’s president Rebecca Kutler, the official MSNBC Public Relations account on X said, “During our breaking news coverage of the shooting of Charlie Kirk, Matthew Dowd made comments that were inappropriate, insensitive and unacceptable.” Apologising for his comments, they added there was “no place for violence in America, political or otherwise.”
Statement from MSNBC president Rebecca Kutler: “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…
— MSNBC Public Relations (@MSNBCPR) September 10, 2025
Matthew Dowd apologises too
In addition to MSNBC addressing the issue, Dowd took to his profile on Bluesky to send prayers to Charlie Kirk’s family and friends. Referencing his recent national TV appearance, he said, “I was asked a question on the environment we are in. I apologise for my tone and words.”
He then asserted that he didn’t intend to blame the right-wing activist for his the “horrendous attack,” asking everyone to “come together and condemn violence of any kind.”
My thoughts & prayers are w/ the family and friends of Charlie Kirk. 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…
— Matthew Dowd (@matthewjdowd.bsky.social) September 11, 2025 at 3:03 AM
What more do we know about Matthew Dowd?
The American pundit was initially an ABC news a political analyst. Moreover, he is an author and has held a nomination for the title “Outstanding Live Coverage of a Current News Story – Long Form” at the News & Documentary Emmy Awards.
Despite his Democrat alliance, he switched sides to assist former President Bush in his White House bid, and even the second term win thereafter. According to The Times, he spent years promoting the politician’s policies, only to frown at them later.
He grew up in a big Irish Catholic family in Detroit. While his father was an auto executive, his mother was a teacher at an elementary school before renouncing that job. Both of his parents harboured the conservative bent towards politics.
Years ago, the former George W Bush political strategist kicked off his own bid to step up as the Democratic nominee for lieutenant governor in Texas. However, he killed his campaign in December 2021. “When I first announced, the only other candidate was a white male Christian,” he said of fellow Democratic candidate Mike Collier. “A diverse field is now emerging in the Democratic primary for this office. I do not want to be the one who stands in the way of the greater diversity we need in politics.”
Having created the online community “Listen.To.Us.,” his bibliography includes the 2017 book “A New Way: Embracing the Paradox as We Lead and Serve.” Furthermore, he even co-authored the New York Times bestseller “Applebee’s America: How Successful Political, Business, and Religious Leaders Connect with the New American Community.”