The United States has been reeling in sho*ck following the tr*gic sho*ting of Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University.
The 31-year-old activist and executive director of Turning Point USA was attending an event when he was struck by a bull*t that ultimately claimed his life.
As tributes poured in from political leaders and supporters, news channels scrambled to cover the breaking story.
Among them was MSNBC, where commentary during a live segment quickly spiraled into controversy and added a new layer of outrage to an already devastating moment.
During a discussion on air, political analyst Matthew Dowd described Kirk as “one of the most divisive younger figures,” claiming that he was “constantly sort of pushing this sort of hate speech or sort of aimed at certain groups.”
He added,
“Hateful thoughts lead to hateful words, which then lead to hateful actions. And I think that is the environment we are in.”
The remarks sparked immediate backlash online. Many viewers accused Dowd of insensitivity at a time when emotions were running high, with critics blasting the tone of his commentary.
Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy reacted strongly, saying, “Truly an unhinged rant from a lefty lunatic. Imagine saying somebody basically deserves to get murdered for their political beliefs just cause you don’t agree with him.”
Social media erupted with demands for accountability, and within hours MSNBC issued a response.
Network president Rebecca Kutler said,
“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 vi*lence in America, political or otherwise.”
Soon after, sources confirmed that Dowd had been dismissed from the network. The firing came as the channel attempted to contain the fallout and reassure viewers that the analyst’s words did not reflect its stance.
Dowd himself later apologized, acknowledging his poor choice of words and urging Americans to unite against political vi*lence.
While investigators continue their search for the shooter, the episode serves as a reminder of how quickly commentary can ignite outrage and cost a national analyst his career.
Featured Image Credit: CNN
