Why did MSNBC fire Matthew Dowd? Charlie Kirk comments trigger outrage online

American political pundit and consultant Matthew Dowd is now facing online outrage after his comments on Charlie Kirk’s murder, according to Variety. On September 10, 2025, Kirk, who was a right-wing political activist, author, and media personality, was shot dead at a college event in Utah.

Following his assassination, Dowd was fired by his employer, MSNBC, for his remarks about Kirk, where he called the late activist “divisive” and accused him of promoting “hate speech.”

During the network’s coverage of Charlie Kirk’s shooting, host Katy Tur asked Matthew about “the environment in which a shooting like this happens.” The 64-year-old responded by commenting on Kirk:

“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.”

Matthew Dowd continued, “And I think that is the environment we are in. You can’t stop with these sorts of awful thoughts you have and then say these awful words and not expect awful actions to take place. And that’s the unfortunate environment we are in.”

His remarks sparked online outrage.

“This man should be fired. Matthew Dowd is a disgusting disgrace to the shambles called journalism. It's not journalism anymore because there are no ethics. He's a media hack and so is his network,” a person wrote.

“A true anti-American scum bag… Simply a disgusting and disgraceful mindset promoted by this filthy network…” another person wrote.

“Pure evil,” said a user.

“The most disgusting thing ever said on @MSNBC by Matthew Dowd and Katie Turr let him say it, and the editors let it be broadcast. They deserve their license revoked @FCC,” another wrote.

Meanwhile, others defended Matthew Dowd.

“I deplore the shooting of anyone. But Matthew Dowd is right. He didn’t say it was Mr. Kirk’s fault, but rather that hate speech engenders hateful actions,” a netizen wrote.

“Freedom of the press is officially compromised. Matthew Dowd was fired from MSNBC for speaking the truth. For every journalist that had the platform & ability to chase facts instead of hype man-made drama & call it news, for ‘access,’ seriously F**K YOU,” a user wrote.

Dowd has since apologized for his comments. Meanwhile, MSNBC announced Dowd was “no longer with” the network.

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MSNBC called Matthew Dowd’s comments about Charlie Kirk's murder “insensitive”

On Wednesday night, a few hours after Matthew Dowd’s take on Charlie Kirk’s assassination, MSNBC terminated him from the network. In a statement posted on their Public Relations account on X, MSNBC President Rebecca Kutler shared that Dowd’s remarks were “inappropriate, insensitive, and unacceptable.”

“We apologize for his statements, as has he. There is no place for violence in America, political or otherwise,” she added.

Meanwhile, Matthew took to his BlueSky account and apologized for his comments. He clarified his words weren’t intended at Kirk, but violence in general.

“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,” the former ABC News political analyst wrote.

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On Wednesday, Charlie Kirk, 31, was attending a TPUSA event titled “The American Comeback Tour” at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah. Twenty minutes after the event started, he was fatally shot in the neck from a long range while speaking on stage.

FBI Director Kash Patel later announced that a suspect was in custody, but he was later released. According to the latest reports by the BBC, a search is ongoing, and more details are awaited. Donald Trump took to Truth Social and shared a video post, calling Charlie a “patriot” and his murder a “dark moment for America.”