A memorial space for Charlie Kirk set up at the headquarters of 'Turning Point USA' in Phoenix, Arizona, on the 10th (local time). Reuters=Yonhap News. 

A political commentator who stated on air with a nuance that the death of American conservative political activist Charlie Kirk, who died in a shooting, was his own fault, has been fired from the broadcasting company.

According to the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) and others on the 10th (local time), MSNBC senior political analyst Matthew Dowd, who made these remarks, is no longer with MSNBC, broadcasting officials said.

Dowd appeared on MSNBC's 'The Katie Phang Show' that day and said of the deceased Kirk, "You can't expect terrible actions not to occur when you are not stopping terrible thoughts and are spewing terrible words."

The remarks were interpreted to mean that 'terrible words' were the cause of Kirk being shot, and that he brought about his own death, drawing strong backlash.

In response, MSNBC President Rebecca Cutler issued a statement saying, "During the news coverage of the Charlie Kirk shooting, Matthew Dowd made inappropriate, insensitive, and unacceptable remarks," and apologized, stating, "There is no place for violence in America."

Dowd also apologized directly. In a post on Bluesky, he said, "I apologize for my tone and language," adding, "It was never my intention to blame Kirk for the horrific attack."

Kirk, known as a supporter and close associate of U.S. President Donald Trump, was shot and killed during a debate at Utah Valley University in Utah on the same day.

He served as the founder and president of 'Turning Point USA,' a youth-oriented right-wing organization that played a significant role in President Trump's re-election.

Hanmi Ilbo · Yonhap News