MSNBC’s public relations department scrambled to apologize after one of its top commentators insinuated hours after Charlie Kirk was assassinated that the political commentator had it coming.
MSNBC President Rebecca Kutler issued a statement, saying, “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.”
Kutler’s statement focused solely on Dowd, who had implied during the live coverage that Kirk himself was responsible at least in part for the culture of political violence that killed him.
“[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.
WATCH:
Late Wednesday night, Variety reported that Dowd had been fired, citing a network source.
The decision came as critics argued that a simple apology was not enough.
“If he’s not fired this doesn’t matter,” Stephen L. Miller posted.
“Not even a period in the time-out chair, huh?” Jim Geraghty commented.
“If you bring him on again as a commentator, this statement means nothing,” another added.
Patricia Heaton added, “Fire Matthew Dowd and close up shop. Otherwise shut it.”
Some noted that the statement was only posted by the public relations account — which has just over 20,000 followers — and not the main network account that has more than five million.
“Leaving aside that this is probably only the tenth worst thing MSNBC said today, notice that they sent the apology from their junior account, which has 217 times fewer followers, ensuring that far fewer people will see it. You don’t hate the media enough,” Hans Mahncke said.
“Rather than firing Tur and Dowd or doing anything real at all regarding deranged coverage today, left-wing hate network MSNBC issues a very quiet tweet on an account with 20K followers,” Mollie Hemingway added.
And a number pointed out that Dowd was not the only person involved in the coverage. Anchor Katy Tur, for example, went right back to trashing Kirk within minutes of reporting he’d been shot and before his condition was even known. She referred to the TPUSA founder as “a divisive figure, polarizing, lightning rod. Whatever term you want to use.”
Tur then wondered aloud about the possibility that someone on the Right would take up arms on Kirk’s behalf.
And speculated that Trump might “use” Kirk’s shooting in order to “justify” some unspecified unconstitutional action in the future.
Dowd also speculated that the shooter might have been one of Kirk’s supporters, “shooting a gun off in celebration.”
Chuck Ross summed it up, saying, “A decent news organization (so, not MSNBC) would fire Matthew Dowd for this, and probably Katy Tur, too. Beyond the callous remarks, Dowd also speculated that maybe a Kirk supporter was shooting off celebratory gunfire.”
UPDATE: This piece was updated with reports that Dowd was ultimately fired.
