MSNBC Analyst Matthew Dowd Speaks Out After Getting Axed Over Charlie Kirk Comments
MSNBC political analyst Matthew Dowd has been fired from the network over comments he made about the death of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, who was fatally shot at a college event in Utah on Wednesday (September 10). He was 31 years old.
As reported by Variety, citing a network source, Dowd was dismissed following backlash to comments he made on MSNBC on Wednesday regarding Kirk’s killing.
After anchor Katy Tur asked Dowd about “the environment in which a shooting like this happens,” per Variety, the former chief strategist for the Bush–Cheney 2004 presidential campaign said of Kirk, “He’s 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.”
Dowd continued, “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.”
The analyst’s comments sparked outrage on social media, leading to MSNBC president Rebecca Kutler issuing an apology on behalf of the network. “We apologize for his statements, as has he. There is no place for violence in America, political or otherwise,” Kutler wrote on the MSNBC Public Relations X account.
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 also posted an apology on his BlueSky account, writing, “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.”
He 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. Let us all come together and condemn violence of any kind.”
Kirk was hosting the event in Utah on Wednesday as part of his “American Comeback Tour” series of speaking to college students when he appeared to be shot in the neck.
President Donald Trump later confirmed Kirk had died in a statement on Truth Social, writing, “The Great, and even Legendary, Charlie Kirk, is dead. No one understood or had the Heart of the Youth in the United States of America better than Charlie. He was loved and admired by ALL, especially me, and now, he is no longer with us. Melania and my Sympathies go out to his beautiful wife Erika, and family. Charlie, we love you!”
Conversation90 Comments
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Comments are closed on this story.
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O
Good riddance Mr. Dowd. You and your former network's hate and disinformation are a big part of the problem.
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Total agreement.
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Both totally wrong.
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Guess you dont watch FOX.
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I think Katy Tur should be fired as well for setting up the pitch to get the answer she wanted.
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Agree. She knew what she was doing.
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Truth does not sin, but incomodes …
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What did he say that was bad?
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She absolutely did exactly that.
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Give me a break. There was nothing wrong with what either said. Dowd was being truthful and was spot on. Kirk was a monster with a mission in life to radicalize college students. Open debate? Again, give me a break. He edited his debates to make it look like he was destroying his debaters, then would publish that. He wanted women to stay home and bear children. He also wanted to disappear--by any means possible--black, brown, gay, trans, and left-leaning people.
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Just your Hate filled opinions. Nothing more.
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Charlie Kirk was open to opposing opinions and conversation. That's divisive?
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Seriously? He was openly and unapologetically anti-woman, anti-LGBTQ and more than dabbled in racism and antisemitism. He also - famously - said that deadly shootings were the price we have to pay for the second amendment. I do not support violence in any form and this was unacceptable. But to say that he was "open to opposing opinions and conversation" is absurd.
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BS. You have never listened to him then.
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Kirk always deleted or didn't post when he was torched by his opposition, so perhaps you need to listen better.
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His rhetoric is available on myriad platforms. He made some of the most hateful comments I’ve ever heard.
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G
Horeshit of the stinkiest kind. I can tell you have never listened to anything Charlie Kirk said. I would guess Charlie Kirk was over your level in that regard.
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you are just regurgitating things you have heard online. Do some of your own research and stop listening to YouTubers tell you what your opinions should be.
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Bullshit. It’s obvious you’ve never watched him. You’ve just read comments that take what he says out of context.
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His rhetoric was incendiary and provocative. But he had a right to free speech and so does Mr. Dowd. But MSNBC has a right to put on the air whatever toadies and puppets they deign to do so, which is why I will never watch either it or its flip side mirror Fox News, they are both garbage and a pox on America. So to answer your question yes Charlie Kirk was divisive and intended to be so. He did not deserve to be assassinated for doing so.
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How is debating opinions divisive? Have you listened to the debates? No screaming, an exchange of thoughts and ideas. Me thinks that you consider it divisive because you don’t agree. So logically you are also divisive if I don’t agree with you. And there is the problem. Growing up political conversations around are dinner table were common. We learned to respect each other and even accept that maybe we were incorrect.
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Give me a break
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Not open to opposing opinions at all.
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O
MSNBC posts ads extolling its support for free speech. What Matthew Dowd said may not have been politically correct but it certainly should have been part of the discussion. We should remember what Kirk said when an intruder broke into Nancy Pelosi's home and brutally attacked her husband.
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What ?
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G
Give him a day or three he’ll make up something that Charlie never said. 🙄
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Totally agree
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Vitriolic rhetorical comments about people and events leads to violence and needs to be discussed and addressed - not doing so does not help anyone.
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smart and quick move by MSNBC, Next make a wiser choice and dump Joe and Mika.
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For THAT he was fired?
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His words showed an extreme lack of common sense.
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Saddened by another loss of a young life, and the great suffering for his wife and young children. In this country we have have the Constitution giving every citizen the right to speech, but let’s not forget that sparking hatred towards a political party, ethnic group, gender, etc, will result into someone out there that is so filled in rage of whatever group the person falls in that they will in their thoughts do away with the cause of this hatred and lives will be lost. Let’s not make light that Trump was the voice of the invasion of the Capitol, let’s not forget when he was calling out to hang Hillary Clinton, let’s not forget the recent deaths and attacks on democrats and it’s been soon forgotten. When people in general, regardless of party affiliation recognize that speaking without hatred against another human being, that’s the day peace and problems will find a solution without anyone having to lose their lives, again regardless of politics, ethnicity, gender, religion, gay, straight etc., let’s give each other, the human race, the respect we each deserve and treat each other the way we want to be treated. Will it take the loss of this young man to do something about gun control, even though many have children have been murdered in school, people murdered in church, all mass shootings and nothing done, will something be done now or how many more will have to die.
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We cannot yell "fire" in a theatre for a good reason . Doud was wrong !
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Matthew Dodd was not incorrect. Charlie Kirk did speak hateful words and was applauded for them. Hate filled speech often has negative results.
This in no way excuses his murder. We have too many individuals who believe that free speech only is free if they agree. We need to realize that freedom of speech means that you will support someone's right to speech even if you disagree with every word (except for lies).
I am flummoxed at MSNBC's cowardice on this yet Fox actually had Jesse Watters state that progressives are at war with conservatives and nary a complaint or talking to.
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Dowd lost his job, Charlie lost his Life. Big difference. And yes Dowd was playing to the left with his ugly comments.
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charlie never spoke "hate speech" he just had speech you hated.
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Turn off CNN and watch real news. You do not Mr. Kirk at all. Embarrassed for you.
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I am apalled that Mr Dowd was fired. What happened to open and free dialogue and conversation. He didn't say anything wrong. What he said was accurate and appropriate. No one wishes Mr. Kirk dead.
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Free Dialogue. is that what you call it NO it was NOT accurate.
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No , it was not accurate or appropriate . Charlie do not use hateful speech .
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No , it was not accurate or appropriate . Charlie do not use hateful speech . As for "no one wishes Mr. Kirk dead " , someone did !
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Hate speech about a man that was gunned down in cold blood for using His free speech.
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Cold-blooded murder is not an acceptable answer to any of the turmoil affecting this country at the moment and I pray for Mr. Kirk's family. I also pray for the thousands of families being affected by the actions of Mr. Trump and his cronies and for the unnecessary suffering he is causing them. What I think is that conservative groups in this country find the hate-mongering and disgusting attacks of the President of the United States upon people who disagree with him acceptable and preach that liberals who fight for the weak and under-privileged and individuals on the fringes of our society should be eliminated. An intelligent and honest commentator was fired for making a candid observation regarding hateful rhetoric and its consequences. I am through with MSNBC, the only station left that I occasionally watched anymore. Everyone in this country better wake up and realize that our freedoms and institutions are being destroyed by a small-minded and petty man. I only pray that I live long enough to see our society wake from this national nightmare.
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Here's another fine example of TDS he cannot recognize that America doesn't need all these illegal aliens in our country we need to make America great by employing Americans we need to make America First by employing Americans and I'm sorry that you have such TDS but there is a cure it's called making American number one in your mind and making great again not a foreign country not a person that comes over our borders illegally it's all about America America first that's what it's about that's what gave you the freedom that you have right now until you can get over your TDS you're going to spread rhetoric like this
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No sympathy for hate mongers
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No need to even bother clicking on it. It’s some highly liberal leftist Opinions. Nothing more. Libs use any excuse to justify their Hate.
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The media are all jackals and will chew on any carcass.
They only repent when cornered and have no escape,
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The man proved himself unworthy, and showed his true colors. His commentary is no longer welcomed, nor wanted.
Disgusting to hear him rant that afternoon. Embarrassed for his friends and family.
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Words so strong and the bullet that made it all true! You that hate just activated the delete button. But before you go crying , no one going to hurt you. No no no, your life will be deleted , your career will be deleted , you’ll be hung out to dry by people much more powerful then me. Exposed will be your ideologies, and the hatread you spew .
Good luck in the future, GOD BLESS Charlie
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I guess "thoughts and prayers" is the only safe response to a tragedy in the first 24 hours or so. Dowd's comments (which he in short order sincerely apologize for), were certainly insensitive to Kirk's family and friends, but they were not inciteful and probably reflected the immediate reaction of millions of people.
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It seems only one side the republicans have the freedom of speech.. anyone else speaks their mind and not follow the republican rule the person is anti- American non American??? I thought we were all on the same team.. ain’t we all Americans???
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Charlie Kirk was gunned down for using His freedom of speech. President Trump survived Two assassination attempts. The Liberal Left burn down cities ( Multiple) and assault people who dare disagree with them. Not a one way street like your trying to paint it.
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If you really believe that you would not spread the hateful rhetoric that the Liberals have done then the last 7 months you fought our present leader every step of the way of his job where the last four years before Mr Trump we've had to deal with a brainless imbecile in the White House that just had some people signing his name with the auto pin and Flushing America down the toilet so now there's a person in charge trying to bring us back to Greatness again and all you liberal communist anti-American rhetoric spreading all you want to do getting his way and stop progress the right way
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I wish he had not apologized. Kirk was a bigoted racist, and xenophobic white nationalist.
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Just your very ugly opinions. But considering your heart it’s understandable.
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If a girl in a bikini is asking it, so is a hate-monger...
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Something needs to be done about the left wing media ALWAYS stirring up HATE, Divisiveness and race issues. What ever happened to "report the news without fear or FAVOR"? The media has no fear, and say exactly what they want to. Finally, there was a consequence last night for one of the left wing media's lies about a terrific young man. The "without favor" part..... the media NEVER leaves you guessing where they stand on any issue. I'm sick to death of their opinions.
Just like the people in Hollywood, I could give a rats rear end, about who George Clooney or anyone else in Hollywood wants for President, Governor or garbage collector. Who do they think they are?
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Are you for real? What world are you living in?
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The Real one.
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Charlie Kirk’s Faith and political ideology did not die with him. No it will only grow stronger and stronger. Charlie may he RIP is a martyr. The torch of Freedom and Justice and above all Faith in Jesus Christ Will be passed on. Charlie did not die in vain.
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His faith in Jesus? He said some of the most hateful lies about women, black people, and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., that are in direct contrast to the Bible. The Bible says we’re to live each other. But, Charlie Kirk didn’t love all the people he disparaged.
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Your wrong opinions of him. Nothing more.
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Another example of leftist fascism: can't compete with someone else's wisdom and eloquence--time to off 'em.
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Clearly, Matthew Dowd is not a Christian because he would understand that Kirk spoke the truth of Jesus Christ. To call that hate speech fully reveals who he is and what he believes in.
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Dowd states the facts and gets punished for it-- that's the environment we live in. Kirk was against gun control, by the way. Political violence will only escalate as gun sales increase. Sympathy and prayers are not a solution, unfortunately.
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And the pencil is guilty of misspelled words
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Political Violence will continue to increase because of the left. The left can't handle that only 15 percent of the world agrees with your thought process, and you resort to pharmaceuticals to relieve your stress which makes you mental. Gun sales have nothing to do with this, again moving blame from the satanic thought of the left and pointing the finger at something else.
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This happened because of the presence of guns? It happened because a sociopath decided to take the life of someone he didn't know. That is a pathology that has nothing to do with the availability of guns.
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You're 100% correct! The rifle didn't pull it's own trigger.
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Guns ? People are killed with knives , cars , clubs , explosives , drugs , animals and weather . Which of these do you suggest we now band ?
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Matthew Dowd fabricated a narrative that was diametrically opposed to the facts and completely and horribly mischaracterized Charlie Kirk and conservatives. "Maybe he was killed by a stray shot in celebration by one of his followers". Charlie Kirk only wanted to bring truth and light to the uninformed and misinformed. I never heard him say anything resembling "hate".
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resolution? neither is gun control when anyone can get a gun anywhere. I know an area I could try to purchase a gun. Of course, I would be met with skepticism because it is a predominantly an area of drug sales and different skin color. They would think this old lady must be an undercover snitch or something. It is an overall safe area to drive through but My husband and I call the little convenience store where all the action happens "The pharmacy" Cops occasionally try crack down on the area but I think that is if the wealthy residents that live on the beach complain. Guns aren't the problem. Mental illness, Propaganda media and socialist and communist politicians and activists spin the truth and lie and then the crazies run with the lies that are told to them. They want the crazies to do their bidding. Keeps their own hands clean. And since they don't have a conscience, that is clean as well.
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The gun was a HUNTING RIFLE . Are you going to suggest that knives be put on the same list as guns . A career criminal killed a young female with a knife or did you miss that one ?
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It was a gun free zone. The gun used was a four round capacity bolt action deer rifle.
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Gun control wouldn’t have saved Iryna Zarutska. An arrest, detention, prosecution & mental institution would have.
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Why is it Trump, and other republicans don’t show any sympathy when something happens to democrats?
No groups preach more hateful comments than the republicans. Meanwhile nothing is getting done in this country. It’s falling apart. I feel for the future for my grandson and other children.
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when has a democrat been assassinated?
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Just a few months ago in Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband were killed. Same night State Senator John Hoffman and wife Yvette were shot by same gun man but survived, just barely. Who ca forget the 60's when President John F Kennedy, Democrat was assassinated and later his brother Senator Robert F Kennedy. How old are you and do you read any history or news?
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JFK by his own party government!
RFK killed by a man who hated the US
Melissa Hortman killed by a democrat for voting with republicans !
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The Republicans respected her during the moment of silence. Unlike the Democrats for charlie Kirk
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You have it backwards
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Nah he don’t.
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The root to all evil. Just pointing fingers and the blame game. The sad truth is if something happens to a democrat, it is usually by another democrat. The citizens of America and the world are actually now realizing ‘Leftism as Mental Illness.' 80 percent of Americans I would say just want to live the American Dream, don't care what you do on the weekends nor what you think. Yes, we can have a nice debate and talk about it. But after we talk move on and agree to disagree. But for some reason the Democrats are the ones that push it down your throat, call you names and resort to violence. I mean an American Christian with a family got killed yesterday, the democrats in congress actually laughed when asked for a moment of silence. THAT IS MENTAL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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This is a headline from TV Channel KMSP's website following the assassination of 2 Democratic Lawmakers:
MN lawmaker shootings: President Trump says 'such horrific violence will not be tolerated'
Trump condemned the shooter and the crime. Multiple times.
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And the shooter was an " anti Trump" person .
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And notice that story has disappeared? Why is that?
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You are projecting. It is obvious.
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What Republican said " Go out and get in their face " ? What Republican said to the Supreme Court , " We're coming after you " ? What Republican said " When you see them out dining , go after them " ? These are just a few of the Democrat's hateful threats .
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Because most of the left is hateful, God-less & deranged. They thrive on lies & grift. And actually, Republicans have more respect & grace than the left in total.
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I try to care but when they r repeatedly doing one negative thing after another I grow weary. I must forgive but sometimes I haven't completed one thing and then there's another. U don't like guns, make a plan for mental institutions or stop whining about guns. U want votes get the illegals in legally.
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