Political analyst Matthew Dowd was dismissed from MSNBC on Wednesday following comments he made during live coverage of the assassination of Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk, according to Variety.

Dowd appeared on Katy Tur Reports as the network covered the shooting of Kirk, 31, who was killed during an event at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah.

During the segment, Dowd suggested that Kirk’s style of speaking made him an inevitable target, referring to what he called “hate speech” toward certain groups.

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A source at MSNBC confirmed to Variety that the remarks led directly to Dowd’s termination.

The decision came within hours of a statement issued by MSNBC President Rebecca Kutler through the network’s public relations account on X.

“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 violence in America, political or otherwise,” Kutler said.

Statement from MSNBC president Rebecca Kutler: “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 violence in…

— MSNBC Public Relations (@MSNBCPR) September 10, 2025

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Dowd’s comments aired while information about Kirk’s condition was still developing.

Initial reports indicated Kirk was in critical condition following the attack. Dowd described Kirk as “one of the most divisive” conservative figures and said he was “constantly sort of pushing this sort of hate speech or sort of aimed at certain groups.”

He added: “And I always go back to: hateful thoughts lead to hateful words, which then lead to hateful actions. And I think that’s the environment we’re in. People just, 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.”

Kirk had been addressing students at Utah Valley University as part of his American Comeback Tour when the shooting occurred.

Videos posted online before the debate showed him interacting with the audience, tossing hats into the crowd, and taking questions from students.

About 20 minutes into the event, Kirk was speaking with a student when a gunshot struck him in the neck.

Witnesses reported panic as attendees scrambled for safety.

A university spokesperson told the Daily Caller that the shot was fired from a building approximately 200 yards away.

Security personnel moved Kirk into a vehicle and transported him to a hospital. He was initially reported in stable condition but later succumbed to his injuries.

The assassination ended a career that had made Kirk one of the most prominent young conservative activists in the country.

As founder of Turning Point USA, he frequently visited college campuses to debate students on politics and public policy.

Kirk is survived by his wife, Erika, and their two children.

The investigation into his killing remains ongoing, with federal and local law enforcement agencies searching for the suspect responsible.

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