Liberals share ‘insensitive’ responses to the assassination of Charlie Kirk

While Charlie Kirk’s shocking assassination has prompted an outpouring of grief nationwide, some figures on the left are facing scrutiny for responses that critics described as insensitive, dismissive, or even celebratory.

At MSNBC, political analyst Matthew Dowd — a former Democratic candidate for Texas lieutenant governor — appeared to suggest that Kirk’s rhetoric bore responsibility for the attack. 

“You can’t stop with these sort of awful thoughts you have and then saying these awful words and then not expect awful actions to take place,” Dowd said during live coverage Sept. 10. “And that’s the unfortunate environment we’re in.” 

Before Kirk’s death was confirmed, Dowd speculated the gunfire could have come from “a supporter shooting their gun off in celebration,” the New York Post reported.  

Dowd later apologized on his BlueSky account. He said his “thoughts & prayers are w/ the family and friends of Charlie Kirk,” and added, “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.” 

Later in the day, MSNBC President Rebecca Kutler condemned the remarks as “inappropriate, insensitive and unacceptable,” in a statement posted to MSNBC’s Public Relations account. “We apologize for his statements, as has he. There is no place for violence in America, political or otherwise."

MSNBC has since fired Dowd, according to the Post. 

Other Democrats were met with strong disapproval for reportedly downplaying the assassination. 

On Sept. 10, House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., led a moment of silence for Kirk on the House floor. Rep. Lauren Boebert, R-Colo., broke the silence by urging colleagues to join in an audible prayer, remarking, “Silent prayers get silent results.” 

According to FOX News, her call triggered loud objections from Democrats, some of whom shouted that Republicans had ignored a school shooting that same day. 

Democratic Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker linked Kirk’s murder to President Donald Trump’s rhetoric and the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol riots. 

After offering condolences to Kirk and his family, Pritzker said, “But I will say political violence, unfortunately, has been ratcheting up in this country.” 

“There are people who are fomenting it in this country,” he continued. “I think the President’s rhetoric often foments it. We’ve seen the January 6th rioters who clearly have tripped a new era of political violence.” 

Even left-leaning cultural outlets sparked criticism. Jezebel ran an essay Sept. 8 — two days before Kirk’s assassination — titled “We Paid Some Etsy Witches to Curse Charlie Kirk.” 

“To ruin his day with the collective feminist power of the Etsy coven,” the author wrote, “would be my life’s greatest joy.” 

The piece detailed “witchcraft services” provided by Etsy, noting, “It's not uncommon for [witches] to channel their energy toward thwarting Republicans (there's even a subreddit devoted to casting nightly hexes on Trump).”

After Kirk’s death, the site added an editor’s note to the article disavowing political violence: “This story was published on September 8. Jezebel condemns the shooting of Charlie Kirk in the strongest possible terms. We do not endorse, encourage, or excuse political violence of any kind.”

TMZ also ignited controversy after viewers noticed background staff cheering during a livestream moments before Kirk’s death was announced. The outlet later issued an apology video explaining that the employees were cheering over a car chase, not the assassination. 

“As we were reporting the assassination of Charlie Kirk, there were some people in the back room — away from our news desk here — who were watching a car chase, and they were laughing,” TMZ founder Harvey Levin said. “They were clapping. And you could hear it out here.”