In a letter sent to all employees, Comcast’s top executives—CEO Brian Roberts, President Mike Cavanaugh, and incoming Versant CEO Mark Lazarus—addressed the recent shooting death of Charlie Kirk, a prominent conservative commentator, at Utah Valley College on September 10, 2025 according to a report by Deadline. The letter emphasized the need for a “respectful exchange of ideas” in response to growing concerns about political violence in the United States.
The executives referenced controversial remarks made by former MSNBC political analyst Matthew Dowd in the immediate aftermath of the shooting. Dowd had suggested on air that Kirk’s rhetoric contributed to the incident, prompting swift backlash across social media platforms. MSNBC’s president issued an apology, and Dowd was subsequently terminated from the network. “You may have seen that MSNBC recently ended its association with a contributor who made an unacceptable and insensitive comment about this horrific event,” the executives wrote in the letter. They noted that Dowd’s remarks were inconsistent with fostering civil dialogue and respecting differing viewpoints.
The letter underscored the importance of maintaining open and respectful communication, even amid passionate disagreements. “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,” the executives stated. “We should be able to disagree, robustly and passionately, but, ultimately, with respect. We need to do better.”
The executives also reflected on Kirk’s own perspective, noting his belief that “when people stop talking, really bad stuff starts.” They emphasized that, regardless of differing political views, Kirk’s words highlighted the critical need for constructive dialogue. “Charlie Kirk believed that ‘when people stop talking, really bad stuff starts.’ Regardless of whether you agreed with his political views, his words and actions underscore the urgency to maintain a respectful exchange of ideas—a principle we must champion,” the letter stated. The executives expressed concern about the broader state of public discourse, describing it as “fractured” and underscoring Comcast’s responsibility as a media company to help address this issue. “We believe in the power of communication to bring us together. Today, that belief feels more vital than ever,” they wrote.
The shooting has drawn significant attention, with President Donald Trump stating there is a “high degree of certainty” that a suspect is in custody. Utah Governor Spencer Cox has also addressed the incident, warning of “tremendous amounts of disinformation” circulating about the event and sharing new video evidence of the suspect.
The incident comes at a time of transition for MSNBC, which is set to be spun off from Comcast into a new corporate entity named Versant. The network will also undergo a rebranding to MSNOW. The executives’ letter reflects Comcast’s broader commitment to navigating this challenging moment with a focus on unity and respect in public discourse.
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