(The Hill) Matthew Dowd, a political operative and contributor to MSNBC, has been fired by the network over comments he made on the air Wednesday just minutes after the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.

“We don’t know any of the details of this, we don’t know if this was a supporter shooting their gun off in celebration,” Dowd said while appearing on the network, calling Kirk “one of the more divisive figures in this.”

“He was constantly pushing this sort of hate speech aimed at certain groups,” Dowd continued. “And I always go back to hateful thoughts lead to hateful words, which then lead to hateful actions … You can’t say these awful words and not expect awful actions to take place.”

Dowd’s comments were met with swift pushback and prompted MSNBC President Rebecca Kutler to issue a statement apologizing.

“During our breaking news coverage of the shooting of Charlie Kirk, Matthew Dowd made comments that were inappropriate, insensitive and unacceptable,” Kutler said. “We apologize for his statements, as has he. There is no place for violence in America, political or otherwise.”

Dowd, who joined the network in 2022, was fired by the network over his comments, a network source confirmed to The Hill.

He issued an apology online afterwards.

“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 said.

Kirk was shot and killed on Wednesday during an event in Utah. His killer remains at large.