Topics: Charlie Kirk, Donald Trump, US News, Politics
The NBC analyst who lost his job for making 'unhinged' comments about Charlie Kirk after his assassination has spoken out.
The shocking assassination of right-wing commentator and media personality Charlie Kirk as he spoke at an event at Utah Valley University has gripped headlines worldwide.
Dramatic footage shows the moment the 31-year-old was shot in the neck by a single bullet at the event on Wednesday (September 11) while the crowd burst into panicked screams.
Tributes have since been flooding in for the late director of Turning Point USA, a conservative youth group, including from President Donald Trump himself, who described Kirk as a 'very good friend.'
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However, MSNBC political analyst Matthew Dowd has landed himself in hot water, appearing a little less enthusiastic about Kirk's politics which ultimately cost him his job, a source familiar to the network confirmed to UNILAD.
Amongst his alleged 'unhinged' comments, Dowd had slammed Kirk as 'divisive' and accused him of 'constantly' driving 'hate speech' at certain groups of people.
The strategist was then blasted on social media while the MSNBC president Rebecca Kutler said in a statement that Dowd's comments were 'inappropriate, insensitive and unacceptable.'
Now, Dowd has broken his silence about the ordeal, apologizing in a statement.
He penned on BlueSky: "My thoughts and prayers are with 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."
He continued: "Let us all come together and condemn violence of any kind."
His statement comes as Dowd appeared to weigh in on Kirk's death when he responded to a question abut the 'environment in which a shooting like this happens.'
The 64-year-old had replied: "He’s [Kirk] been one of the most divisive, especially divisive younger figures in this, who 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 then lead to hateful actions. And I think that is the environment we are in.
"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. And that’s the unfortunate environment we are in."
Viewers then said they believed Dowd had suggested people deserve to be gunned down and killed for their political beliefs.
Kutler added in her condemnation: "We apologize for his statements, as has he. There is no place for violence in America, political or otherwise."
Announcing Kirk's death, Trump wrote on Truth Social: "The Great, and even Legendary, Charlie Kirk, is dead.
"No one understood or had the Heart of the Youth in the United States of America better than Charlie.
"He was loved and admired by ALL, especially me, and now, he is no longer with us. Melania and my Sympathies go out to his beautiful wife Erika, and family. Charlie, we love you!"
In a video statement, he added: "He fought for liberty, democracy, justice and the American people.
"He's a martyr for truth and freedom and there's never been anyone who was so respected by youth."
Trump has since ordered all American flags be flown at half mast in Kirk's memory until Sunday.
