MSNBC President Responds to Analyst’s Comments on Charlie Kirk Shooting

On Wednesday, MSNBC’s President Rebecca Kutler released a statement regarding political analyst Matthew Dowd’s remarks about the recent assassination of Turning Point USA founder, Charlie Kirk. Dowd’s comments, which he referred to as “unacceptable,” were made during the broadcast covering the attack on Kirk.

During the coverage, Dowd suggested that Kirk’s alleged “hate speech” had contributed to the violence directed at him. Interestingly, reviews of live TV transcription services on Wednesday evening revealed that MSNBC had not aired Dowd’s apology posted on their public relations account.

Kutler expressed regret for Dowd’s inappropriate remarks: “During the news coverage of Charlie Kirk’s shooting, Matthew Dowd made inappropriate, insensitive, and unacceptable comments. We apologize for his statement.”

In a segment of “Katy Tur Reports,” Dowd labeled Kirk as the “most divisive” figure among conservatives, asserting that he consistently disseminates “hate speech.” He remarked, “A hateful thought leads to hateful words, which leads to hateful behavior. I think that’s the environment we’re in. People don’t think they’ll stop at these terrible thoughts—you have to consider the impact.”

Charlie Kirk, 31, was speaking with a student at Utah Valley University when he was tragically shot. As the founder of TPUSA, he frequently visited college campuses to engage in political discourse. Utah marked his latest stop on this tour.

Footage shared online captured the chaotic moment before Kirk’s shooting, showing him in a heated discussion with a large crowd about gun violence and transgender issues.

A spokesperson for the university disclosed that the shot originated from a building approximately 200 yards away. Kirk was quickly escorted to his vehicle by security and taken to a hospital where he was initially reported stable before later succumbing to his injuries.

He is survived by his wife, Erica Kirk, and their two young children.