MSNBC analyst fired over 'disgusting' Charlie Kirk assassination comments on-air

An MSNBC political analyst has been sacked after making "inappropriate, insensitive and unacceptable" comments about the fatal shooting of right-wing influencer Charlie Kirk.

Matthew Dowd came under fire after discussing Kirk's death on live television, prompting the network to issue a lengthy apology before dismissing him. "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," MSNBC President Rebecca Kutler said on Wednesday.

Dowd, who was a chief strategist for George W. Bush's 2004 re-election campaign, suggested one of Kirk's supporters could have fired the shot accidentally. He said: "[We] don't know any of the full details of this yet. We don't know if this is a supporter shooting their gun off in celebration or... So we have no idea about this."

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He then said Kirk was "one of the most divisive, especially divisive younger figures... who is 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.

"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 not expect awful actions to take place. That's the unfortunate environment we're in."

Responding to a clip of the broadcast, one person said on X: "That's disgusting. Put your politics aside and have some humanity. Charlie is a person, a husband and father."

On Wednesday, Dowd released an apology on Blue Sky. He wrote: "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."

Kirk was struck in the neck by a single bullet while speaking to a crowd of hundreds at a Utah Valley University rally hosted by Turning Point USA - the non-profit organisation he founded.

The 31-year-old, known for his right-wing activism and close friendship with US President Donald Trump, was rushed to hospital in a critical condition where he died shortly after. Speaking from the Oval Office, Trump said in a video message that Kirk was "a martyr for truth and freedom".

The US President condemned the "demonising" of political opponents while at the same time claiming the rhetoric of the "radical left" was "directly responsible" for the assassination of Kirk. Authorities have not named a suspect and no one is in custody for the killing.

The Mirror has contacted MSNBC for comment.