Overview

• During a live segment with Katy Tur, Dowd called Kirk a divisive figure and said “hateful thoughts lead to hateful words, which then lead to hateful actions,” while also speculating the shot could have come from a supporter firing in celebration.
• MSNBC president Rebecca Kutler condemned the comments as inappropriate, insensitive and unacceptable and issued a public apology on the network’s behalf.
• Dowd later apologized on BlueSky, saying he did not intend to blame Kirk for the attack and expressing regret for his tone and words.
• Variety, The Hollywood Reporter and other outlets reported Dowd was dismissed, citing network sources, while MSNBC’s public statements focused on the apology and did not detail personnel moves.
• Kirk, 31, was fatally shot while speaking at Utah Valley University; federal and local investigators have not publicly identified a suspect after briefly detaining and releasing two persons of interest.