MSNBC contributor suggests Charlie Kirk killed by ‘supporter shooting their gun off in celebration’

The remarks came during live coverage on Wednesday afternoon, shortly after news broke that Kirk, 31, had been shot while addressing students at Utah Valley University.

As anchor Katy Tur discussed Utah’s gun laws, she turned to Dowd, who said: “We don’t know if this was a supporter shooting their gun off in celebration.”

Dowd went on to describe Kirk as “one of the most divisive younger figures,” adding: “Hateful thoughts lead to hateful words, which then lead to hateful actions. And I think that is the environment we are in… You can’t stop with these sort of awful thoughts you have and then saying these awful words and not expect awful actions to take place.”

The comments quickly drew backlash online, with critics accusing MSNBC of downplaying the targeted nature of the attack and appearing to shift blame toward Kirk himself.

MSNBC President Rebecca Kutler issued a formal apology. “During our breaking news coverage of the shooting of Charlie Kirk, Matthew Dowd made comments that were inappropriate, insensitive and unacceptable,” she said in a statement. “We apologize for his statements, as has he. There is no place for violence in America, political or otherwise.”

Dowd also issued his own apology later in the day, writing on Bluesky that he “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.” Dowd was fired from the network after his comments, Variety reported later on Thursady, citing sources. 

Kirk, the founder of Turning Point USA, was killed by a single rifle shot fired from a rooftop on the Orem, Utah campus. Authorities believe the incident was a targeted attack, though the identity and motives of the gunman remain unknown as the suspect remains at large.