Reports from MSNBC indicate that political analyst Matthew Dowd has been dismissed following controversial remarks made during coverage of conservative activist Charlie Kirk’s fatal shooting.
During breaking news coverage, Matthew Dowd speculated that the shooter might have been “a supporter shooting his gun off in celebration.” MSNBC President Rebecca Kutler issued a statement calling Dowd’s comments “inappropriate, insensitive, and unacceptable,” and apologized on behalf of the network.
Dowd’s remarks occurred during an on-air exchange about the climate of political violence. He suggested a connection between “hateful thoughts,” “hateful words,” and “hateful actions,” while describing Kirk as a divisive figure.
There was immediate backlash from conservatives. They accused MSNBC of justifying or excusing violence against Mr. Kirk. Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon reported that Dowd was terminated shortly after his appearance.
This development follows earlier reports of increasing concerns about media bias and responsibility in the wake of politically motivated violence. Harmeet Dhillon criticized MSNBC’s handling of the coverage, stating, “We don’t shoot our guns off in celebration in the United States at a debate.”
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“I apologize for my tone and words,” he wrote. “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.”
The evidence suggests that this incident will likely fuel further debate about the role and responsibilities of media outlets in reporting on political violence.