BREAKING UPDATE: MSNBC fires Matthew Dowd after he blamed Charlie Kirk for his own assassination

Update: Matthew Dowd has been fired from MSNBC following his comments in the aftermath of Charlie Kirk’s assassination, suggesting the conservative icon was responsible for his own death, a network source told Variety. Dowd wrote on his BlueSky account on Wednesday evening following his comments, "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. 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."

Moments after Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk was shot during an event at Utah Valley University on Wednesday, MSNBC commentators suggested the conservative activist may have been partly responsible for the attack.

On MSNBC, analyst Matthew Dowd said Kirk’s rhetoric contributed to the violence. “[He 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 often then to hateful actions,” Dowd said. “You can’t stop with these awful thoughts you have and then saying these awful words and then not expect awful actions to take place.”

Earlier in the network’s coverage, MSNBC anchors speculated the shot may have been fired accidentally “in celebration” by a supporter, before acknowledging that police were still investigating.

The incident occurred as Kirk was speaking at the university as part of his American Comeback Tour. Witnesses say the 30-minute mark of the event had just passed when a gunshot rang out, striking Kirk in the neck area. Video from the scene showed attendees fleeing as security rushed in.

Law enforcement officials confirmed to the Associated Press that Kirk is in critical condition at a local hospital. Video circulating online showed one individual being taken into custody immediately after the shooting, though Utah officials later confirmed that the man was released.

The news network later apologized for the comments made with a 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 America, political or otherwise."
 

This article has been updated with a statement from MSNBC.