A growing number of individuals are facing professional consequences, from being fired or placed on administrative leave, for public comments they made in the wake of the assassination of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk.
After the 31-year-old CEO of Turning Point USA was shot and killed during an event at Utah Valley University on Wednesday, a growing list of political leaders, business figures and media outlets across the spectrum condemned the political violence.
But others cited Kirk’s political views as a reason not to mourn his death, which critics argued minimized or excused the violence. At the same time, others used it as an opportunity to highlight the rise in shootings, particularly those claiming the lives of children.
MSNBC political analyst Matthew Dowd was seen as the first of many figures to face consequences for his comments, but the list quickly grew.
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MSNBC political analyst
Dowd was fired from the network after his comments during MSNBC’s coverage of the shooting. Dowd was asked about “the environment in which a shooting like this happens.”
In response, Dowd said: “He’s [Kirk] been one of the most divisive, especially divisive younger figures in this, who is constantly sort of pushing this sort of hate speech or sort of aimed at certain groups. And I always go back to, hateful thoughts lead to hateful words, which then lead to hateful actions. And I think that is the environment we are in. You can’t stop with these sort of awful thoughts you have and then saying these awful words and not expect awful actions to take place. And that’s the unfortunate environment we are in.”
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“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 post on X. “We apologize for his statements, as has he. There is no place for violence in America, political or otherwise.”
Meanwhile, Dowd said in a separate post that he never intended for my comments to blame Kirk for his horrendous attack.
“I was asked a question on the environment we are in,” he said. “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.”
Friday, executives at parent company Comcast NBC Universal, sent a memo to employees with stern instructions.
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“The tragic loss of Charlie Kirk, a 31-year-old father, husband, and advocate for open debate, whose faith was important to him, reminds us of the fragility of life and the urgent need for unity in our nation. Our hearts are heavy, as his passing leaves a grieving family and a country grappling with division. There is no place for violence or hate in our society,” the Comcast CEO Brian Roberts, President Mike Cavanagh and prospective Versant CEO Mark Lazarus wrote, as reported by Fox News Digital.
Carolina Panthers communications coordinator
The Carolina Panthers fired an employee, Charlie Rock, who made social media posts following the assassination of Kirk.
A source briefed on the Panthers’ decision confirmed to Fox News Digital that Rock, a member of the team’s communications department, was fired on Thursday.
Social media posts linked to Rock appeared to show him questioning why people were sad that Kirk had been shot and killed. The song “Protect Ya Neck” from the Wu-Tang Clan was also shared.
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“The views expressed by our employees are their own and do not represent those of the Carolina Panthers,” the team said in a statement posted to social media. “We do not condone violence of any kind. We are taking this matter very seriously and have accordingly addressed it with the individual.”
Secret Service employee
A Secret Service employee was put on leave after posting on Facebook about Kirk’s assassination.
Anthony Pough, an employee of the protective agency, posted on Facebook, according to several outlets, that condemned those mourning Kirk, saying the conservative commentator “spewed hate and racism on his show.”
“Especially when we should be mourning the innocent children killed in Colorado,” he added.
The U.S. Secret Service told FOX Business that the employee was immediately put on administrative leave, and they launched an investigation into the matter.
The agency said it “will not tolerate behavior that violates our code of conduct.”
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