Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy publicly condemned now-former MSNBC analyst Matthew Dowd for what he described as “insensitive and unacceptable” comments regarding the assassination of Charlie Kirk, the conservative activist and founder of Turning Point USA, as reported by The New York Post.
Kirk, 31, was shot and killed Wednesday during a town hall event at Utah Valley University, part of his “American Comeback Tour.”
I write this in tears, because I don’t know how to feel about this, but I will feel it nonetheless.
I’ve watched Charlie Kirk for a long time.
I didn’t always agree with him, but I respected his ability to debate, and have civil conversations with people – even as they yelled… pic.twitter.com/4lH4zzkcew
— Northern Perspective (@NorthrnPrspectv) September 11, 2025
According to authorities, the gunman was positioned on a building east of the university library and opened fire with a long rifle as Kirk answered a question about mass shootings by transgender individuals.
This Could Be the Most Important Video Gun Owners Watch All Year
The shooting occurred about 20 minutes into the event. The suspect remains at large.
During live coverage on MSNBC, Dowd suggested the possibility that Kirk may have been shot by one of his supporters, saying it could have been the result of “shooting their gun off in celebration.”
Portnoy, 48, responded in real time on X. “Hey @MSNBC I’m gonna go ahead and rule out that it was one of Charlie Kirk’s supporters that accidentally shot him with a celebratory gunshot,” he posted.
Hey @MSNBC I’m gonna go ahead and rule out that it was one of Charlie Kirk’s supporters that accidentally shot him with a celebratory gun shot. pic.twitter.com/8qdtH5XQj0
— Dave Portnoy (@stoolpresidente) September 10, 2025
As graphic footage of the shooting spread online, Portnoy added that “anybody who is happy about this is a disgusting human.” He later posted a video clip of Dowd’s remarks, calling them “truly an unhinged rant from a lefty lunatic.”
Portnoy continued: “Imagine saying somebody basically deserves to get murdered for their political beliefs just cause you don’t agree with him.”
Truly an unhinged rant from a lefty lunatic. Imagine saying somebody basically deserves to get murdered for their political beliefs just cause you don’t agree with him.
pic.twitter.com/JLdK1BUB2d— Dave Portnoy (@stoolpresidente) September 10, 2025
Dowd, 64, defended his initial comments during the broadcast, saying: “I always go back to hateful thoughts lead to hateful words, which then lead to hateful actions. I think that’s the environment we’re in.”
Anchor Katy Tur interrupted Dowd to confirm on-air that Turning Point USA had announced Kirk had been shot.
The backlash prompted MSNBC to issue a formal apology. “During our breaking news coverage of the shooting of Charlie Kirk, Matthew Dowd made comments that were inappropriate, insensitive and unacceptable,” MSNBC president Rebecca Kutler said in a statement.
“We apologize for his statements, as has he. There is no place for violence in America, political or otherwise.”
Statement from MSNBC president Rebecca Kutler: “During our breaking news coverage of the shooting of Charlie Kirk, Matthew Dowd made comments that were inappropriate, insensitive and unacceptable. We apologize for his statements, as has he. There is no place for violence in…
— MSNBC Public Relations (@MSNBCPR) September 10, 2025
Dowd later issued his own apology.
“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 posted.
Despite the apology, MSNBC terminated Dowd’s contract late Wednesday night, according to Variety.
Matthew Dowd leading his apology with “Thoughts and Prayers” and ending with “let us all come together…” may or may not be among the most sublime “you can’t fire me cuz I quit” peace out in media history. https://t.co/XKp28PCWdC
— BlacKanSeyKo (@BlackXtian) September 11, 2025
The FBI confirmed that two persons of interest had been questioned and released, but the shooter remains at large.
Kirk, known for his “Prove Me Wrong” campus debates and as the leader of Turning Point USA, is survived by his wife, Erika, a former Miss Arizona, and their two young children.
Charlie Kirk is op 31-jarige leeftijd overleden. Een echtgenoot, vader van twee kinderen en een man van God. Hij heeft ons land compleet veranderd en had nog zoveel voor zich. Hartverscheurend.
️❤️Rust zacht, Charlie https://t.co/B7BqGLAqfO— MariaDJohanna (@gioiello_maria) September 10, 2025
The opinions expressed by contributors and/or content partners are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of LifeZette. Contact us for guidelines on submitting your own commentary.
![Gavin Newsom Threatens to 'Punch These Sons of B*thces in the Mouth' [WATCH]](https://www.right2024.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Gavin-Newsom-Threatens-to-Punch-These-Sons-of-Bthces-in-350x250.jpg)
![ICE Arrests Illegal Alien Influencer During Her Livestream in Los Angeles: ‘You Bet We Did’ [WATCH]](https://www.right2024.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/ICE-Arrests-Illegal-Alien-Influencer-During-Her-Livestream-in-Los-350x250.jpg)
