ABC News correspondent Matt Gutman has apologized after facing fierce criticism from conservatives over remarks he made about text messages connected to the man accused of killing Charlie Kirk. His choice of words, which described the texts as “touching,” quickly triggered outrage across political and media circles.
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Conservatives Slam Gutman’s Coverage
After prosecutors revealed text messages allegedly sent by suspect Tyler Robinson, Gutman highlighted Robinson’s affectionate tone toward his roommate. However, Republicans and media figures argued that Gutman’s remarks painted the suspect in a sympathetic light.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis mocked the coverage, writing, “Legacy media in all its glory.” Similarly, Indiana Sen. Jim Banks reacted bluntly with, “Wait, what???” Meanwhile, Fox News host Will Cain condemned the framing as “Fundamentally, irredeemably, broken.” In addition, Meghan McCain questioned ABC directly: “Is everyone @ABC out of their minds?!”
Because of these reactions, the incident quickly spiraled into a wider debate about media framing and accountability.
What Gutman Originally Said
During his on-air report, Gutman described the texts between Robinson and his roommate as unusually emotional. In fact, he called them “a very intimate portrait” that showed Robinson repeatedly addressing his roommate, who was transitioning, with affectionate terms such as “my love” and “I wanna protect you, my love.”
Gutman then added:
“So it’s this duality of someone who the attorney said not only jeopardized the life of Charlie Kirk and the crowd, but was doing it in front of children … and on the other hand, he was speaking so lovingly about his partner.”
Consequently, his phrasing came across as if he was romanticizing the suspect’s behavior, a perception that fueled criticism.
Gutman Issues an Apology
On Wednesday, Gutman attempted to clarify his intentions and addressed the backlash directly. Posting a statement on X (formerly Twitter), he explained:
“Yesterday I tried to underscore the jarring contrast between this cold blooded assassination of Charlie Kirk — a man who dedicated his life to public dialogue — and the personal, disturbing texts read aloud by the Utah County Attorney at the press conference.”
He continued:
“I deeply regret that my words did not make that clear. But let there be zero doubt here: I unequivocally condemn this horrific crime and the pain it caused Charlie Kirk’s family, those who were forced to witness it at UVU, and the millions of people he inspired.”
Therefore, Gutman stressed that his intent had been to highlight the shocking contrast, not to glorify the suspect’s private communications.
Why the Fallout Matters
The controversy underscores how even small nuances in reporting can generate intense political backlash. Moreover, in the aftermath of Charlie Kirk’s assassination, tensions are running especially high, which makes every detail of media coverage subject to scrutiny.
Additionally, this case demonstrates how quickly online reactions from politicians, commentators, and celebrities can amplify criticism of journalists. As a result, both Gutman and ABC News were forced to move quickly to address the uproar.
Past Issues With Reporting
This is not the first time Gutman has faced disciplinary action. Notably, in 2020, ABC suspended him after he mistakenly reported that all of Kobe Bryant’s daughters had been on the helicopter that crashed, killing the NBA legend, his daughter Gianna, and seven others. Because of that error, Gutman has been under particular scrutiny regarding accuracy and tone in his reporting.
Ultimately, the episode illustrates the fragile balance reporters must maintain when covering violent crimes. On one hand, they must present all aspects of a case; on the other, they must avoid any language that could be seen as sympathetic to alleged perpetrators.
