Former MSNBC analyst Matthew Dowd criticized his previous employer on Friday for yielding to the “mob” while trying to explain contentious remarks he made about Charlie Kirk this week. Dowd was let go by the Progressive Network after conservative activists’ inflammatory language reportedly contributed to a shooting in Utah, which led to Kirk’s death. He insisted he was unaware that Kirk was the target when he made his comments.
“At MSNBC, we discussed a range of topics and constantly denounced all types of gun and political violence, regardless of our background. This Wednesday, I was asked to address several issues,” he explained. “When the anchor turned to me about the national atmosphere, the only detail known was a shooting, with no confirmation that Kirk was the target.”
Dowd attempted to connect his accusations of Kirk spreading “hateful” rhetoric to insights from Holocaust survivors about the perils of dangerous speech during 1930s Germany, citing the phrase “#itstartedwithwords.” He remarked, “I famously stated: ‘Hateful thoughts lead to hateful words and ultimately to hateful actions.’ I didn’t expect to find disagreement with this.” He added, “The right-wing media targeted me on various platforms, and MSNBC caved to the mob. Most at MSNBC understood my comments were taken out of context, but they seemed to forget the timing. It was common knowledge that Kirk was the victim.”
Dowd’s remarks, made during breaking news coverage, ignited considerable backlash on social media. Before his termination, MSNBC President Rebecca Kutler issued an apology, labeling Dowd’s comments as “inappropriate, insensitive, and unacceptable.” On Friday, top executives at MSNBC’s parent company, Comcast, faced criticism for the network’s reporting.
“MSNBC recently severed ties with a contributor for making wholly unacceptable comments about this tragic event,” Comcast CEO Brian Roberts, President Mike Cavanagh, and Versant CEO Mark Lazarus informed staff. “The reporting contradicted our commitment to foster civic dialogue and respect differing views. We need to be able to express our opinions.”
Kirk, co-founder of Turning Point USA and a prominent conservative activist, was shot and killed during an event at Utah Valley University on Wednesday at the age of 31. Tyler Robinson, a 22-year-old, was arrested the following night as the suspect.
MSNBC has been contacted for further comments.
