By Martha McHardy
US News Reporter
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ABC News reporter Matt Gutman is facing backlash for describing a text exchange between alleged Charlie Kirk killer Tyler Robinson and his partner as "very touching."
Newsweek has approached ABC News for comment in an email sent outside of regular working hours.
Why It Matters
Charlie Kirk's assassination and the firestorm that followed show how dangerous and divided America's political climate has become. His death has been met with both outrage and celebration—MAGA figures blaming the "radical left" and even calling for "war," while some critics cheered his killing. In this volatile environment, comments that appear to minimize or frame the shooting insensitively—like Matt Gutman's—can quickly become career-ending.
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The backlash against Gutman highlights the intense scrutiny facing journalists and public figures, and it comes against the backdrop of a string of political attacks, including an attempt on Donald Trump's life in 2024 and the shooting of a Democratic lawmaker in Minnesota this year.
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What To Know
Prosecutors on Tuesday revealed text messages between accused gunman Tyler Robinson and his roommate, in which Robinson allegedly admits killing conservative activist Kirk, describes hiding his rifle and details his planning in the days before the shooting.
Robinson first instructed Lance Twiggs to look under his computer keyboard, where a handwritten note said, "I had the opportunity to take out Charlie Kirk and I'm going to take it," according to court filings.
When Twiggs responded in disbelief, Robinson wrote, "I am, I'm sorry," later explaining that police had mistakenly detained others while he tried to recover his weapon.
Over the course of the exchange, Robinson justified the shooting as retaliation against Kirk's "hatred," discussed hiding the rifle in a bush, and his worries about leaving fingerprints.
Robinson also urged Twiggs to delete their conversation and stay silent: "Don't talk to the media please … if any police ask you questions ask for a lawyer and stay silent."
Reporting after the conclusion of the press conference, Gutman said: "I don't know if we have seen an alleged murder with such specific text messages about the alleged murder weapon, where it was hidden, how it was placed, what was on it.
"But also it was very touching in a way that many of us didn't expect. A very intimate portrait into this relationship between the suspect's roommate and the suspect himself with him repeatedly calling his roommate who was transitioning, calling him 'my love' and 'I want to protect you my love.'
"So, it was 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, which is one of the aggravating circumstances of this case. And then, on the other hand, he was, you know, speaking so lovingly about his partner."
Utah Governor Spencer Cox had previously said Robinson lived with a romantic partner who is transgender. FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino confirmed on The Megyn Kelly Show on Monday that the name of Robinson's partner is Lance Twiggs.
Gutman's comment have provoked backlash on social media, with some calling for him to be fired from his role.
ABC News has not yet responded, but if he is fired, he would not be the only one to lose his job over remarks about Kirk.
MSNBC fired political analyst Matthew Dowd after he said of Kirk: "You cannot harbor these dreadful thoughts and express them without anticipating dreadful actions to follow. This unfortunate environment is where we find ourselves."
Glen Turf, a senior official at Miami Country Day School, resigned, the Miami Herald reported, after commenting on Instagram: "He died. Oh well … He ironically promoted gun usage. Karma."
Amid the reaction, some have called for an end to political division and violence, including Utah Governor Spencer Cox, a Republican. "Our nation is broken," he said, pleading that "all of us will try to find a way to stop hating our fellow Americans."
What People Are Saying
Gutman's remarks have sparked backlash online and calls for him to be fired.
Fox News contributor Joe Concha wrote on X: "In a sane world—Matt Gutman would have been fired by now. This is absolutely delusional and nauseating."
Republican political strategist Alex Bruesewitz, called the reporting "absolutely disgusting" and said Gutman "should be fired."
Conservative commentator Meghan McCain shared a clip of the interview, and wrote: "Is everyone@ABC out of their minds?!"
What Happens Next
ABC News has not responded to the backlash against Gutman.
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