ABC News chief national correspondent Matt Gutman apologized Wednesday after criticism of his description of text messages sent by Tyler Robinson, the accused killer of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, and Robinson’s transgender partner.
Gutman described the texts as “very touching” and “intimate.”
“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,” Gutman said on X.
“I deeply regret that my words did not make that clear,” the apology continued. “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.”
Conservatives blasted Gutman in the replies, many doubting the sincerity of his apology.
“You were not trying to draw a contrast between Charlie’s assassination & ‘disturbing’ texts by Robinson — you were rather claiming the contrast was between Kirk’s assassination & ‘so touching’ & ‘very touching’ texts by Robinson who was ‘speaking so lovingly about his partner,’” one X user wrote.
“I don’t see an apology here. I see ‘sorry if you were too stupid to understand me and were offended.’ Shame on you. Shame. Shame. Shame,” wrote a second.
“Matt Gutman has still not been fired and should be fired,” a third added.
More over at The New York Post:
ABC News reporter Matt Gutman issues groveling apology after calling texts from alleged Charlie Kirk assassin ‘very touching’ https://t.co/pylut15p2P pic.twitter.com/e5wM434vPE
— New York Post (@nypost) September 17, 2025