Matthew Dowd Speaks Out After His MSNBC Firing

12 September 2025

Matthew Dowd. Credit : Lorenzo Bevilaqua/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty

Matthew Dowd has broken his silence after being fired from his role as a contributor at MSNBC following comments he made in the immediate aftermath of Charlie Kirk’s tragic killing. Dowd says he is in “shell shock” over recent events and insists that his words were taken out of context.

The controversy began September 10 when Kirk was shot while speaking at Utah Valley University. Dowd appeared on MSNBC Live with Katy Tur as news of the shooting unfolded. He commented that Kirk was among the most divisive public figures and argued that hateful thoughts turn into hateful words which can lead to hateful actions. At that time there was no confirmation that Kirk was shot or that he was the target.

Dowd later said those remarks were misconstrued. He emphasizes that he was speaking about the broader environment in America rather than assigning blame to one person. He also pointed out that he apologized for any misunderstanding.

He claims MSNBC fired him in response to mounting pressure from conservative media outlets. Though he says many at the network understood his meaning and noted that the timing of his comments was too early to make determinations, he says he was nonetheless let go by the end of the same day.

Comcast, MSNBC’s parent company, also addressed the issue. Executives emphasized the importance of respectful dialogue and how the network does not tolerate statements that undermine civil discourse. In an internal memo they acknowledged the serious impact events like Kirk’s death have on the public and called for employees to engage with empathy and care.

Dowd described his firing as painful. He admitted he was disappointed and believed that some of the backlash was unfair because of misunderstanding what he said. He wrote that he hoped Americans could still come together around shared values. He says he will continue speaking out in other venues.

MSNBC’s leadership, including president Rebecca Kutler, condemned Dowd’s remarks as inappropriate, insensitive, and unacceptable.1

The moment also led Comcast to issue companywide statements reminding staff that violence or hate have no place in society and that respect is essential when addressing highly charged political or tragic events.

Dowd says he believes his firing is more about perception than intent. He pointed out that he made no claims that Kirk was responsible for his own death. He also acknowledged that he should have been more careful given how quickly information was developing.

He concluded his remarks with hope that even though he is unsettled now he will be able to contribute to a healthier public conversation going forward.