MSNBC analyst Matthew Dowd fired over Charlie Kirk comments after assassination

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.”

Elsewhere on the air, before Kirk’s death was confirmed, Dowd said: “We don’t know if this was a supporter shooting their gun off in celebration,” implying that lax firearms laws may have been responsible.

Dowd later apologized for his comments.

“My thoughts & prayers are w/ the family and friends of Charlie Kirk,” Dowd said on his BlueSky account Wednesday. “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.