The Left has shown their true colors. And they aren’t apologizing at all.
Now an MSNBC analyst shamelessly defended their callous Charlie Kirk comments.
Matthew Dowd’s Callous Remarks on Charlie Kirk’s Assassination Spark Justified Outrage
MSNBC fired political analyst Matthew Dowd after his reprehensible comments blaming Charlie Kirk for his own assassination, revealing a deep-seated bias and insensitivity that rightly led to his ouster. Dowd, 64, a former Republican strategist turned left-leaning commentator, made baseless claims on air that Kirk’s advocacy for conservative values and Second Amendment rights contributed to the “hateful environment” that led to his death on September 10 at Utah Valley University.
His remarks, made to anchor Katy Tur, included a reckless suggestion that Kirk could have been shot by a supporter “shooting their gun off in celebration,” demonstrating a shocking disregard for the tragedy and the facts. Dowd’s subsequent defense on Substack, accusing MSNBC of caving to a “Right Wing media mob,” only deepened the perception of him as an unapologetic opportunist exploiting Kirk’s murder to push a divisive narrative.
Dowd’s Reckless On-Air Statements
During MSNBC’s coverage of the shooting, Dowd stated, “I always go back to hateful thoughts lead to hateful words, which then lead to hateful actions,” labeling Kirk—one of the most prominent conservative voices and founder of Turning Point USA—as “one of the most divisive” figures who pushed “hate speech” at certain groups.
He continued, “I think that’s the environment we’re in that people just… You can’t stop with these sort of awful thoughts you have and then saying these awful words and then not expect awful actions to take place. That’s the unfortunate environment we’re in.” His outlandish speculation that the shooting, later confirmed as a targeted assassination by 22-year-old Tyler Robinson, could have been a celebratory act by a Kirk supporter was not only baseless but also inflammatory, especially as details of Kirk’s death were still emerging.
Dowd’s Substack post on September 12 claimed his comments were made before Kirk was confirmed as the target, writing, “Keep in mind when the anchor came to me to comment on the ‘national environment’ the only thing known at the time was shots were fired and there was no reporting yet that Kirk was the target or had been shot at.”
He argued he was reflecting on Holocaust survivors’ warnings about hate, asserting, “I said in the moment that we needed to get the facts because we have no idea what this could be and that it could easily be someone firing a gun in the air to celebrate the event. Remember Kirk is a diehard advocate of the 2nd amendment.”
This defense, however, failed to acknowledge the callousness of blaming Kirk’s advocacy for his murder, especially given the event’s clear political motive, as evidenced by Robinson’s rifle casings inscribed with anti-fascist messages like “Hey fascist! Catch!” and lyrics from “Bella Ciao.”
MSNBC’s Response and Dowd’s Deflection
MSNBC swiftly terminated Dowd, with network president Rebecca Kutler calling his remarks “inappropriate, insensitive and unacceptable.” Comcast executives issued a memo urging staff to maintain respect on air, regardless of political differences with Kirk, a MAGA icon known for fostering civil debate through his “American Comeback” tour.
Dowd’s claim that MSNBC succumbed to a “Right Wing media mob” ignored the widespread bipartisan condemnation of his comments, including from figures like Utah Gov. Spencer Cox, who labeled the killing a “political assassination.” His Substack defense, accusing the network of ignoring the timing of his remarks and his supposed apology, rang hollow, as he offered no genuine remorse for vilifying Kirk or his movement. Instead, Dowd doubled down, framing himself as a victim of conservative backlash rather than owning the harm caused by his reckless rhetoric.
Kirk’s Assassination and Broader Context
Kirk, 31, was fatally shot in the neck by Tyler Robinson during a Q&A session at Utah Valley University, the first stop of his tour aimed at encouraging open dialogue among young conservatives and their critics. Robinson, arrested on September 11 after confessing to his father and a youth pastor, faces charges of aggravated murder, felony discharge of a firearm, and obstruction of justice.
The FBI recovered a bolt-action rifle with anti-fascist inscriptions, confirming the political nature of the attack, which followed other incidents like the 2024 assassination attempts on President Trump and the June 2025 killing of a Minnesota Democratic lawmaker.
Kirk’s death, mourned by figures like Trump and Vice President JD Vance, intensified calls for unity against political violence, making Dowd’s comments particularly egregious.
Dowd’s attempt to shift blame to Kirk’s conservative advocacy, while ignoring the shooter’s clear ideological motives, reflects a broader pattern of divisive rhetoric that fuels tension. His termination by MSNBC was a necessary response to his failure to uphold basic decency, especially in the wake of a national tragedy. As America grapples with rising political violence, Dowd’s remarks stand as a stark example of how inflammatory commentary can undermine efforts to foster dialogue and unity, justifying the public’s demand for accountability.
