MSNBC fired political pundit and partner of Maria Shriver, Matthew Dowd, following his comments on-air about the murder of Turning Point USA CEO Charlie Kirk on September 10, according to The Hollywood Reporter. When journalist Katy Tur asked Dowd about “the environment in which a shooting like this happens,” Dowd responded, “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 aimed at certain groups. And I always go back to, hateful thoughts lead to hateful words, which then lead to hateful actions.” He added that, “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.” Dowd made the comments following the shooting but before Kirk’s death was confirmed, per Time.
My 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.
— Matthew Dowd (@matthewjdowd) September 11, 2025
Both he and MSNBC later apologized for the comments. “My thoughts & prayers are w/ the family and friends of Charlie Kirk,” Dowd wrote on Bluesky that evening. “On an earlier appearance on MSNBC I was asked a question on the environment we are in. 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.” In a statement, MSNBC president Rebecca Kutler said Dowd’s comments were “inappropriate, insensitive and unacceptable.” “We apologize for his statements, as has he,” the statement added. “There is no place for violence in America, political or otherwise.”
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He said that “hateful thoughts lead to hateful words, which then lead to hateful actions.”
