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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsFormer MSNBC Analyst Matthew Dowd Says Channel "Reacted" to "Right Wing Media Mob" by Firing Him
On his Substack, Dowd noted that he made his comments about Charlie Kirk before people realized that he was the target of the attack.
By Alex Weprin
Matthew Dowd, the political operative turned MSNBC analyst who was fired by the cable news channel after making comments about Charlie Kirk, took to Substack to give his side of the story.
Dowd, a veteran of the George W. Bush-Dick Cheney 2004 presidential campaign, was asked by MSNBC anchor Katy Tur about the environment in which a shooting like this happens.
Dowd, in his response, stated, Hes 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 cant stop with these sort of awful thoughts you have and then saying these awful words and not expect awful actions to take place. And thats the unfortunate environment we are in.
MSNBC parted ways with him by the end of the day, and on Friday Comcast CEO Brian Roberts, president Mike Cavanagh and Versant CEO Mark Lazarus told staff that coverage was at odds with fostering civil dialogue and being willing to listen to the points of view of those who have differing opinions. We should be able to disagree, robustly and passionately, but, ultimately, with respect. We need to do better.
https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/politics-news/fired-msnbc-analyst-matthew-dowd-explains-1236369427/

Joinfortmill
(18,885 posts)MSM is gonna be hurting a big one if they keep acting like assholes.
deRien
(298 posts)MSNBC and told them what I thought about firing him... # is 212-664-4444
LetMyPeopleVote
(169,519 posts)global1
(26,206 posts)Dowd was spot on with his comments and MSNBC should be ashamed of themselves for firing him.
They owe him an apology and should re-instate him.
lizardkingjr
(94 posts)based upon misinterpreting a tweet.
That was a mistake then. This is a mistake now.
oberle
(185 posts)msnbctvinfo@nbcuni.com
I told them to stop being sycophants for the Right and start telling the truth for the Left. I'm sure I'll never hear a thing back.
2na fisherman
(83 posts)Dowd said nothing false in his reply to the question he was asked by Tur. What management was reacting to is their fear of having Trump goons from a weaponized FCC jeopardize their license to operate, so management complied with what they thought the Trump mob wanted.
SocialDemocrat61
(5,599 posts)They have no authority over cable channels.
2na fisherman
(83 posts)"...the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) does have jurisdiction over cable, as it is an independent U.S. government agency tasked with regulating interstate and international communications by cable, radio, television, wire, and satellite, a role affirmed by the Supreme Court in United States v. Southwestern Cable Co." (Google search)
Perhaps you are correct in saying this is not true, but the Trump regime can put official pressure on MSNBC broadcast and business practices with the FTC or the IRS to target them for reprisals if they fail to follow their news content and personnel preferences. So they submit and find it easier to fire reporters like Mr. Dowd. But in the long run, such appeasement will only be met with demands for the abject surrender of all journalistic independence and the "Fourth Estate" will wither away to nothing but the PR organ of a despotic regime.
SocialDemocrat61
(5,599 posts)like Spectrum or Comcast but not cable channels, which don't require licensing by the FCC.
But sure any administration can use other government agencies to put pressure on any business.
But they can't use the FCC to pressure cable channels.
Botany
(75,254 posts)Last edited Fri Sep 12, 2025, 09:03 PM - Edit history (2)
Hateful thoughts lead to hateful words which can lead to hateful actions. What
part of that is wrong?
BigmanPigman
(53,691 posts)Aren't they tanking in the ratings? CNN, MSNBC and FOX are all the same now.
BattleRow
(1,769 posts)telling the truth becomes a revolutionary act.
Crunchy Frog
(27,880 posts)La Coliniere
(1,555 posts)to any potential threats or acts of violence because the right cant handle the truth. This is the environmental we must now live in. Id call it fascism.
Cha
(314,213 posts)TY & Matthew Dowd.
H2O Man
(77,891 posts)He was fired for speaking the truth.
flvegan
(65,254 posts)They ARE NOT our friends and ARE NOT on our side. I wish them luck fighting with CNN to be FoxLite. Fuck them.
Sorry Rachel and Lawrence, but your forums on THAT channel are dead to me.
GoodRaisin
(10,496 posts)Im so tired of this bullshit M$M talking point over and over this week. Ill be glad when they get back to talking about what Krasnov is hiding in those Epstein files.