Keith Olbermann apologizes for threatening post toward Scott Jennings after FBI referral
Former ESPN and MSNBC commentator says his posts were misinterpreted and that he opposes political violence
Keith Olbermann apologized Tuesday for a threatening post directed at CNN conservative Scott Jennings, saying the messages were misinterpreted and that he opposes political violence. The apology followed a referral from the FBI and a social-media firestorm over Olbermann’s online exchanges with Jennings.
Screenshots captured by Townhall columnist Dustin Grage show Olbermann writing 'You're next motherf---er' and 'But keep mugging for the camera' toward Jennings, roughly two weeks after an incident at Utah Valley University involving conservative figure Charlie Kirk. Jennings later published the screenshots and tagged FBI Director Kash Patel in the posts, drawing attention to the online exchange and the subsequent investigation.
In a message posted to X, Olbermann said the messages were written and deleted promptly because they could be misinterpreted as threats to anything beyond Jennings’ career. He said he immediately replaced them with messages clarifying what he actually meant and emphasized that he opposes political violence. Olbermann added that he delayed addressing the matter but should have acknowledged the deletions earlier and offered a full apology without reservation.
The episode follows a broader period of backlash against Olbermann for his statements about Kirk and late-night host Jimmy Kimmel. In the past week he criticized Sinclair Broadcast Group affiliates for planning to preempt Kimmel’s show and wrote a dismissive remark aimed at Sinclair in connection with Kirk. Olbermann argued that Kimmel’s criticisms of Kirk were not untrue and accused conservatives of taking the lowest possible political tone in commenting on the case.
The controversy has intersected with law-enforcement statements tied to the broader incident involving Kirk. Officials including the FBI and Utah Gov. Spencer Cox have said the suspect showed radicalization and a leftist ideological tilt in recent years, with prosecutors reaffirming those ties in public filings. The case has continued to draw attention to how political rhetoric online can intersect with real-world violence investigations, even as the public-facing figures involved respond to the criticism and attempt to clarify their own positions.
In addition to Olbermann’s public confrontation with Jennings, reporters have noted that the exchange occurred amid ongoing nationwide debates about the limits of political speech and the responsibilities of commentators who wield large audiences. The FBI referral underscores how law-enforcement channels are sometimes invoked in the wake of online threats, even when the individuals involved are not the subject of formal charges.
As the story develops, observers will be watching how Olbermann, Jennings, and other media figures navigate the tension between robust political commentary and the boundaries that separate criticism from threats. The incident highlights the fragile line many public voices must walk in an era of rapid online amplification, where a single post can trigger a national conversation about safety, accountability, and the responsibilities of political discourse.