Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

The Grand Illuminist

(1,892 posts)
Thu Sep 11, 2025, 08:29 AM Thursday

MSNBC Fires Matthew Dowd After Charlie Kirk Assassination Comments

Source: Newsweek

MSNBC has issued an apology and fired political consultant Matthew Dowd after comments he delivered shortly after the assassination of Turning Point USA co-founder and conservative activist Charlie Kirk that the broadcaster deemed inappropriate.

The statement was posted to the MSNBC Public Relations X account rather than the company's main account, which has drawn some backlash from X users.

Read more: https://www.newsweek.com/msnbc-issues-apology-comments-amid-charlie-kirk-fatal-shooting-coverage-2128012

18 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies

kerouac2

(1,274 posts)
2. Ridiculous
Thu Sep 11, 2025, 08:34 AM
Thursday

What he said was logical and well stated. If anything, it was muted. He could have rattled off examples of ck's hateful rhetoric to his statement.

As a matter of fact, he should do that now since he's been fired.

markie

(23,621 posts)
4. truth
Thu Sep 11, 2025, 08:46 AM
Thursday

"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."

hmmm... to be fired for speaking truth??

....the truth is that some say the only acceptable form of violence/killing is in self-defense.... sadly, I say many of us are fighting for our lives, acting in self-defense


Oppaloopa

(922 posts)
5. Joe said om his show this morning that he spoke to Trump on the phone yesterday and has several times
Thu Sep 11, 2025, 08:46 AM
Thursday

WHY ?????

IronLionZion

(49,889 posts)
6. "hateful thoughts lead to hateful words, which then lead to hateful actions"
Thu Sep 11, 2025, 08:47 AM
Thursday



Completely fair and accurate comment if he had only said this part.

The suggestion that it may be a supporter shooting in celebration was in poor taste of course. That's pretty dumb.

CozyMystery

(682 posts)
16. Yeah, it was dumb, but in retrospect only
Thu Sep 11, 2025, 05:48 PM
Thursday

I bet there isn't one of us who hasn't said something totally inappropriate, just blurted it out, and then wished we could take it back. True, not all of us have the exposure this guy has, but his mistake, in my view was only human.

The totally inappropriate thing that I said only had family members witness it. I'm still embarrassed I said it. My cousin and I both have triplet boys. I have 4 kids, one of them a girl. She has 5 kids, all of them boys. Kid #5 was an infant. I, stupidity on full display, asked her if she was going to have more kids so she'd have a girl, too.

Escurumbele

(3,896 posts)
7. His comments were not insensitive, he pointed out the truth about a guy who promoted hate, why try to hide it?
Thu Sep 11, 2025, 08:57 AM
Thursday

He also pointed out a truth, hate brings hate, the media should never give a platform to people who promote division, hate, let them find their own places where they can do their dirty work, but don't promote it by showing them on TV.

Shame on the network, but of course they have no shame, their cowardice does not allow it.

What a world we live in where people want to place someone who promoted hate, who tried to influence young people into becoming hateful, racists, and other awful things, onto a pedestal, as if he was someone who benefited society in any way.

I do not condone violence, but we have not heard the truth on why he became a target, and hopefully we will, but I am puzzled at the fact that a shooter with that kind of skills has to be someone who was trained in the military for ages in order to become that good at shooting a rifle. We are talking about 200 yards, multiply that by 3 and you have 600 feet, to be able to put a bullet at anything from that distance you have to have very special skill, and a very special gun.

We will start hearing all kinds of ideas on why it happened, and I have, as many of you most probably have, that he was used as a distraction? Maybe, who knows...will we ever hear the truth about what happened?

And last, now that one of the republican people have been the victim of gun violence, will this encourage them to pass gun laws? I don't expect them to, but one can hope.

hueymahl

(2,844 posts)
10. He is saying Kirk brought it on himself because of what he said
Thu Sep 11, 2025, 01:15 PM
Thursday

Similar to blaming the victim of rape because she dressed too slutty. Very tasteless.

maxsolomon

(37,349 posts)
12. Dowd should know that the worst you can say is that Kirk was "polarizing".
Thu Sep 11, 2025, 01:25 PM
Thursday

You can't say that the chickens come home to roost. Gotta walk that narrow center path.

That's only for Repuke Senators to say when Dems are assassinated.

Grim Chieftain

(578 posts)
14. So, Kirk has freedom of speech, but Dowd doesn't.
Thu Sep 11, 2025, 02:11 PM
Thursday

Good god, how this country has gone to hell. Dowd said nothing wrong. Kirk did - many times.

17. Freedom of speech means you can't face any consequences from the government - it doesn't mean you can't face
Fri Sep 12, 2025, 02:37 AM
Friday

any non-governmental consequences - termination of employment, social ostracism, etc.

Latest Discussions»Latest Breaking News»MSNBC Fires Matthew Dowd ...