Ousted MSNBC analyst Matthew Dowd said MSNBC bent its knee to a “right wing media mob” after the outlet fired him over comments he made on air about the shooting of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
“The Right Wing media mob ginned up, went after me on a plethora of platforms, and MSNBC reacted to that mob,” Dowd wrote in a a Friday Substack post. “Even though most at MSNBC knew my words were being misconstrued, the timing of my words forgotten (remember I said this before anyone knew Kirk was a target), and that I apologized for any miscommunication on my part, I was terminated by the end of the day,”
“I am getting over the shell shock of the past few days, and will turn my gaze on adventures and the journey ahead. And a big part of that will be using my voice on this and other platforms to advocate for finding ways to unite our country around a common-sense vision of ideals and values,” he added.
Dowd’s statement comes just a day after MSNBC President Rebecca Kutler announced his dismissal, issuing a statement apologizing for his words while urging other employees to be cautious of their comments.
“During our breaking news coverage of the shooting of Charlie Kirk, Matthew Dowd made comments that were inappropriate, insensitive and unacceptable,” Kutler, who replaced Rashida Jones as leader of the network in January, said.
“We apologize for his statements, as has he,” she added. “There is no place for violence in America, political or otherwise.”
Dowd has worked for MSNBC for three years and contributed to major coverage of breaking news events.
On Wednesday, Dowd described Kirk as “divisive” while details of his death were developing, adding that the Turning Point USA founder was known for hate speech.
“Hateful thoughts lead to hateful words, which then lead to hateful actions,” the former MSNBC analyst said on air.
He later apologized for those comments.
“My thoughts & prayers are w/ 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. Let us all come together and condemn violence of any kind,” he wrote on social media Thursday.
In a follow up Substack post on Friday, Dowd said he would pursue new opportunities to promote peace nationwide.
Dowd said, “reimagining a new America starts with new eyes, leads to a new language, and will involve building new institutions and reforming many that no longer fit us.”
“Even though I am down and a bit disheartened in this moment, I still have hope and faith in a majority of Americans who want and hunger for the same things I do. We can do this,” he concluded.
