Fired MSNBC Analyst Opens Up After Backlash Over Charlie Kirk Assassination Comments: ‘Guess I Was Naive’
Former MSNBC political analyst Matthew Dowd admitted Friday that he was “naive” to claim on live television that conservative activist Charlie Kirk brought his own assassination upon himself.
MSNBC fired Dowd on Wednesday after his remarks sparked outrage among conservatives and mourners alike. On his Substack, Dowd attempted to explain himself, insisting he did not anticipate the backlash.
“I said that Kirk has been a very divisive and polarizing figure. I then added that we are in a toxic time in America, unlike every other democracy in the world, where we have a combination of divisiveness and near unlimited access to guns,” Dowd wrote. He recalled invoking Holocaust survivors’ campaign #ItStartedWithWords before concluding with his now-infamous line: “Hateful thoughts lead to hateful words which ultimately lead to hateful actions.”
“I thought to myself how could anyone disagree with this. I guess I was naive,” Dowd said.
Despite his dismissal, Dowd accused MSNBC of caving to what he called the “Right Wing media mob,” even as he doubled down on his narrative. He suggested the fatal gunshot could have even been “someone firing a gun in celebration because Kirk was a diehard advocate of the 2nd Amendment.”
“The Right Wing media mob ginned up, went after me on a plethora of platforms, and MSNBC reacted to that mob,” Dowd complained. “Even though most at MSNBC knew my words were being misconstrued… I was terminated by the end of the day.”
MSNBC just FIRED Matthew Dowd for his vile, disgusting comments with Katy Tur. Good.
Next, do Katy Tur.
And CNN it’s time to show the door to Van Jones too. These propaganda peddlers have poisoned America long enough. https://t.co/bSEIjaADI6 pic.twitter.com/nwER8o1eyv
— Kylie Jane Kremer (@KylieJaneKremer) September 11, 2025
Dowd’s firing comes amid a wave of left-wing voices openly celebrating Kirk’s death. University of Michigan assistant professor Charles H.F. Davis called the assassination a “solution” to so-called “violent rhetoric.” Middle Tennessee State University assistant dean Laura Sosh-Lightsy was fired after she wrote that she had “zero sympathy” for Kirk.
Meanwhile, authorities have arrested 22-year-old Tyler Robinson, who confessed to his father that he carried out the shooting at Utah Valley University. Robinson’s father then contacted a youth pastor, who alerted U.S. Marshals, leading to the suspect’s capture.
Utah Governor Spencer Cox said Robinson had grown “more political” and “full of hate” in recent years. Family members also confirmed that Robinson spoke at a dinner the night before about his intense dislike for Kirk and the activist’s upcoming campus event.
Kirk, 31, was assassinated with a single bullet to the neck while speaking to students. He leaves behind his wife Erika and their two young children.