Comcast Leaders Send Letter To Employees Following Shooting Of Charlie Kirk
(CLAIR | Simi Valley, CA) — Comcast executives sent a company-wide letter on Friday addressing the shooting death of commentator Charlie Kirk.
CEO Brian Roberts, President Mike Cavanagh, and incoming Versant CEO Mark Lazarus signed the message, which was sent to all Comcast NBCUniversal employees. The communication comes amid heightened scrutiny over media coverage in the wake of the killing.
As reported in The Hill, the letter also follows MSNBC’s decision to cut ties with a contributor whose on-air comments after the shooting drew widespread criticism.
While corporate memos on political events are unusual, Comcast leadership distributed the message across all of its divisions. As posted to The New Republic and reported by Deadline, the company noted its responsibility to encourage respectful dialogue in a time of deep division.
Below is the full text of the letter sent to employees:
A message from Brian Roberts, Mike Cavanagh, and Mark Lazarus to all Comcast NBCUniversal employees on Friday, September 12, 2025
Dear Comcast NBCUniversal Team,
The tragic loss of Charlie Kirk, a 31-year-old father, husband, and advocate for open debate, whose faith was important to him, reminds us of the fragility of life and the urgent need for unity in our nation. Our hearts are heavy, as his passing leaves a grieving family and a country grappling with division. There is no place for violence or hate in our society.
You may have seen that MSNBC recently ended its association with a contributor who made an unacceptable and insensitive comment about this horrific event. 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.
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. We believe in the power of communication to bring us together. Today, that belief feels more vital than ever. Something essential has fractured in our public discourse, and as a company that values the power of information, we have a responsibility to help mend it.
As employees, we ask you to embody our values in your work and communities. We should engage with respect, listen, and treat people with kindness.
Sincerely,
Brian Roberts
Mike Cavanagh
Mark Lazarus
