MSNBC has apologized and reportedly fired analyst Matthew Dowd over on-air comments he made about the fatal shooting of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.

Multiple media outlets, including Deadline, Variety and The Hollywood Reporter, reported that the network had fired Dowd, whose comments sparked backlash after Kirk, a close political ally of President Donald Trump, was shot and killed while speaking at an event at Utah Valley University on Sept. 10. Authorities were still searching for the shooter, as of early Sept. 11.

Republican and Democratic lawmakers alike were quick to denounce the shooting, which officials have described as a "targeted attack" and "political assassination."

In an interview on MSNBC about the shooting, Dowd said, in part: "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."

USA TODAY has reached out to MSNBC for comment.

What did Matthew Dowd say about Charlie Kirk shooting?

At around 3 p.m. ET on Sept. 10, when reports began emerging about the shooting, MSNBC correspondent Katy Tur interviewed Dowd about the attack.

In part, he theorized whether the incident was “a supporter shooting their gun off in celebration.”

Dowd said Kirk had 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," Dowd said. "And I think that is the environment we are in."

He added, "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. And that's the unfortunate environment we are in."

MSNBC, Matthew Dowd issue apologies about Charlie Kirk comments

After the interview, Dowd apologized for his comments in a statement on Bluesky, writing that his "thoughts & prayers are w/ the family and friends of Charlie Kirk."

"On an earlier appearance on MSNBC I was asked a question on the environment we are in. I apologize for my tone and words," he wrote. "Let me be clear, I in no way intended for my comments to blame Kirk for this horrendous attack."

Dowd added, "Let us all come together and condemn violence of any kind."

Later, MSNBC president Rebecca Kutler also issued a statement apologizing for Dowd's comments.

“During our breaking news coverage of the shooting of Charlie Kirk, Matthew Dowd made comments that were inappropriate, insensitive and unacceptable," the statement said. "We apologize for his statements, as has he. There is no place for violence in America, political or otherwise."

Who is Matthew Dowd?

Dowd is a political commentator and former strategist for President George W. Bush's 2004 reelection campaign. He was later a longtime political contributor for ABC News.

In 2021, he launched a short-lived, unsuccessful bid for lieutenant governor of Texas.

Dowd joined MSNBC as a political contributor and analyst in 2022, according to Deadline.

Other apologies, firings follow after Charlie Kirk shooting fallout

More organizations swiftly responded to actions deemed inappropriate in the moments after news of the shooting broke.

TMZ issued an apology for laughter heard in its newsroom as reports emerged about the incident. Employees in another part of the building were laughing and clapping in reaction to a car chase they were watching, the outlet said.

"Nevertheless ... watching a car chase at that moment was tone deaf, and the sounds of laughter at that crucial moment were totally out of line," TMZ said. "We apologize to anyone who heard that as we were in the middle of covering such a tragic story."

In Tennessee, an employee at Middle Tennessee State University was fired after posting "inappropriate and callous comments" on social media, President Sidney A. McPhee said in a statement.

Melina Khan is a national trending reporter for USA TODAY. She can be reached at melina.khan@usatoday.com.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: MSNBC fires Matthew Dowd after Charlie Kirk shooting comments, reports say

Reporting by Melina Khan, USA TODAY / USA TODAY

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