Following the tragic death of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, MSNBC analyst Matthew Dowd sparked backlash during live coverage by calling Kirk “divisive” and linking his rhetoric to a culture of hostility. His comments were viewed by many as insensitive, especially so soon after the shooting, and led to swift criticism.

Kirk was fatally shot in the neck while speaking at Utah Valley University on September 10. Authorities suspect the bullet came from a nearby rooftop. Former President Donald Trump confirmed the death and called Kirk “a martyr for youth” on Truth Social, while tributes and outrage flooded social media.

MSNBC president Rebecca Kutler condemned Dowd’s comments, calling them “inappropriate” and apologizing to viewers. Dowd was fired from his role and later issued a statement on Bluesky, clarifying that he did not mean to blame Kirk and expressing his opposition to violence in any form.

The incident highlights the tensions between political commentary and sensitivity during moments of national tragedy, raising questions about how networks handle live analysis in the wake of such events.