MSNBC offered an apology for on-air remarks delivered by political analyst Matthew Dowd following the news concerning influential conservative activist, before his death had been confirmed.
“During our breaking news coverage of Charlie Kirk’s shooting, Matthew Dowd made comments that were inappropriate, insensitive, and unacceptable,” read a statement from MSNBC president Rebecca Kutler. “We apologize for his statements, as has he. There is no place for violence in America, political or otherwise.”
Dowd, a veteran political commentator who served as the chief strategist for George W. Bush’s 2004 presidential campaign, was asked on air to discuss “the environment in which a shooting like this occurs.”
After underscoring that there were no details of the shooting available at that moment, Dowd commented on Kirk: “He has been one of the most divisive, especially among younger figures, consistently promoting a form of hate speech directed at certain groups. And I always revert to the idea that hateful thoughts lead to hateful words, which then lead to hateful actions.”
“And I believe that is the environment we currently inhabit. One cannot persist with these kinds of terrible thoughts and then voice these terrible words without anticipating terrible actions to unfold. And that is the regrettable environment we are in.”
Subsequent to the televised commentary, numerous outlets indicated that Dowd had been let go by MSNBC, according to network insiders and contacts familiar with the situation.
TIME has sought comment from MSNBC.
Dowd himself issued an apology prior to the statement from MSNBC’s president.
“My thoughts and prayers are with Charlie Kirk’s family and friends. During a previous appearance on MSNBC, I was asked a question about the environment we are in. I regret my tone and language,” . “Let me be clear, I in no way intended for my comments to assign blame to Kirk for this horrific attack. Let us all come together and condemn violence of any kind.”
Kirk, 31, passed away Wednesday, having been shot during a speech at Utah Valley University, the initial stop on his fall campus tour. The co-founder of Turning Point USA, a conservative non-profit student organization, was among thousands of attendees when he was struck in the neck.
The search for Kirk’s assailant is now in its second day, with police still seeking a suspect.
A staunch ally of President Donald Trump, Kirk played a significant role during the 2024 presidential election, promoting Trump’s campaign and messages on university campuses nationwide.
“Charlie Kirk is assisting. He has his corps of young people. These are young patriots,” Trump stated while speaking at the 2024 event. “We extend our thanks to you, Charlie.”
It was Trump who shared the news on Wednesday. The President commended his work, stating that “no one comprehended or resonated with the youth in the United States of America more effectively than Charlie.”
Trump additionally addressed the incident in a video message, in which he characterized the shooting as “a dark moment for America” and contended that “radical left political violence has harmed too many innocent individuals and claimed too many lives.”
“For years, elements of the radical left have equated admirable Americans like Charlie to Nazis… this form of rhetoric is directly accountable for the terrorism we are witnessing in our nation, and it must cease immediately,” Trump declared, who also alluded to the event that transpired during a rally in Butler, Pa., in July 2024.
America has experienced an increase in political violence, with individuals across the political spectrum becoming targets.
This year alone has witnessed the home of Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, a Democrat, being set ablaze by an arsonist; the fatal shooting of ; the outside the Capital Jewish Museum in D.C.; a man yelling “free Palestine” in Boulder, Co.; and a shooter who reportedly held anti-vaccine views in Atlanta.
Concerns are now emerging that this recent act of political violence—the slaying of Kirk—might incite greater division and radicalization.
