MSNBC has dismissed political analyst Matthew Dowd following remarks he made about conservative activist Charlie Kirk, whose fatal shooting this week has shaken the political world.

The decision came after Dowd's on-air comments during a live segment with anchor Katy Tur on Wednesday, September 10.

Tur asked Dowd about the environment that may have led to the deadly attack.

Dowd, 64, responded by describing Kirk as "one of the most divisive younger figures" and suggested that hateful thoughts and words can lead to violent actions, People reported.

His comments sparked immediate outrage online and prompted criticism that he appeared to blame Kirk for his own death.

Within hours, MSNBC president Rebecca Kutler issued a statement apologizing for what was said.

The network's official account, managed by Kutler, noted that an apology had been issued both by the company and by Dowd himself for the remarks.

"There is no place for violence in America, political or otherwise."

Matthew Dowd Apologizes After Controversial Kirk Comments

By late Wednesday, multiple outlets including Variety and Deadline confirmed that Dowd had been terminated. The network has not yet released an additional formal statement beyond Kutler's apology.

According to US Magazine, Dowd himself addressed the controversy on social media. "My thoughts & prayers are w/ the family and friends of Charlie Kirk," he posted.

"On an earlier appearance on MSNBC I was asked a question on the environment we are in. I apologize for my tone and words."

He added, "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."

Kirk, 31, was shot while speaking at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah, as part of his "American Comeback Tour."

Authorities said a single bullet was fired from around 200 yards away, striking him in the neck.

He was taken to a hospital but later pronounced dead. Utah's governor described the incident as a "political assassination."

Kirk was best known as the founder of Turning Point USA, a group that helped rally young conservatives.

He was also a strong supporter of former President Donald Trump, who called the killing a "heinous assassination" and announced he would posthumously award Kirk the Presidential Medal of Freedom.