MSNBC Axes Political Analyst Matthew Dowd Hours After He Blamed Charlie Kirk for Own Assassination: Report

MSNBC senior political analyst Matthew Dowd was reportedly dropped by the network on Wednesday after he blamed Charlie Kirk for his own assassination live on-air.

Citing an unnamed network source, CNN chief media analyst Brian Stelter reported on Wednesday evening that Dowd was “no longer an MSNBC political analyst,” just hours after MSNBC president Rebecca Kutler issued an apology over his comments.

“During our breaking news coverage of the shooting of Charlie Kirk, Matthew Dowd made comments that were inappropriate, insensitive and unacceptable,” said Kutler in an MSNBC statement. “We apologize for his statements, as has he. There is no place for violence in America, political or otherwise.”

The network received backlash after Dowd blamed Kirk for his own assassination, mere moments after the Turning Point USA founder was shot during an event at Utah Valley University.

After bizarrely suggesting that Kirk may have been shot by a supporter firing a “gun off in celebration,” Dowd said, “He’s been one of the most divisive, especially divisive younger figures in this, who is constantly sort of pushing this sort of hate speech.”

“And I always go back to hateful thoughts lead to hateful words, which then lead to hateful actions,” he continued. “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. And that’s the unfortunate environment we are in.”

Dowd’s comments sparked uproar, including from Fox News host Jesse Watters, who called on MSNBC to fire the senior political analyst “immediately.”