MSNBC fired senior political analyst Matthew Dowd after he speculated on-air about a possible link between slain conservative activist Charlie Kirk's rhetoric and the shooting that killed him. Dowd suggested that hateful rhetoric can incite violence, prompting an apology and his immediate dismissal from MSNBC. MSNBC President Rebecca Kutler called Dowd's comments inappropriate and insensitive. Dowd also issued an apology, stating he didn't intend to blame Kirk for the attack. Federal authorities are investigating the shooting, with a suspect still at large.

Prepared by Lauren Mitchell and reviewed by editorial team.