New York, September 11, 2025 — MSNBC has abruptly severed ties with veteran political analyst Matthew Dowd after he sparked outrage with controversial comments made in the immediate aftermath of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk’s assassination.
The firing came less than 24 hours after Dowd appeared on Katy Tur Reports, where he suggested Kirk’s fiery rhetoric may have played a role in fueling the climate of violence that led to his death. At one point, he even speculated — without evidence — that the fatal shot could have come from celebratory gunfire by one of Kirk’s supporters.
The remarks triggered swift backlash online and across the political spectrum. Critics blasted Dowd for being insensitive and for speculating before any facts were confirmed. Social media users accused him of “blaming the victim” and demanded MSNBC take action.
MSNBC President Rebecca Kutler announced Dowd’s dismissal in a statement, calling his comments “inappropriate, unacceptable, and crossing a line.” She also issued condolences to Kirk’s family, stressing the network’s commitment to responsible coverage.
Dowd later posted an apology on social media, claiming he did not intend to blame Kirk for his own assassination and expressing regret for his “poorly chosen words.”
The controversy underscores the increasingly volatile intersection of politics, media, and free speech in America — where one live comment can cost a career, and where political violence continues to test the nation’s fragile civic fabric.