ABC News reporter Matt Gutman faced backlash after describing text messages from Charlie Kirk’s accused assassin, Tyler Robinson, to his partner as “very touching” during a Utah press conference.

ABC News correspondent Matt Gutman is under fire after describing text messages exchanged by Tyler Robinson, the accused assassin of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, and his transgender partner as “very touching.”

Gutman’s comments, made during a live report at a press conference in Utah on Tuesday, September 16, have drawn widespread condemnation from political leaders,

commentators, and social media users who accused the veteran reporter of showing undue sympathy for the accused killer.

The controversy erupted after law enforcement revealed chilling text messages sent by Robinson just hours after Kirk was fatally shot on September 10.

Robinson, 27, has been charged with seven counts, including aggravated murder, in connection with the shooting, which prosecutors say endangered not only Kirk but also the crowd of attendees at his rally, including children.

During a televised segment covering the release of the messages, Gutman referred to the texts between Robinson and his live-in partner, identified as Lance Twiggs, as “intimate” and “fulsome.”

He went further, telling viewers that the exchange struck him as unexpectedly emotional. “But also, it was very touching in a way that many of us didn’t expect,” Gutman said.

In his report, Gutman highlighted Robinson’s repeated use of affectionate language toward Twiggs, noting that the suspect referred to Twiggs as “my love” and expressed a desire to “protect” him.

The texts also reportedly included Robinson asking Twiggs to delete the messages and avoid speaking to police — communications that prosecutors described as incriminating.

Gutman characterized the juxtaposition as a “dual reality,” saying, “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. So a very interesting, riveting press conference.”

The reporter’s choice of words quickly went viral, drawing criticism from across the political spectrum. Social media platforms were soon filled with calls for ABC News to discipline or even fire Gutman.

Conservative commentator Meghan McCain expressed outrage, posting, “Is everyone @ABC out of their minds?!” Florida Governor Ron DeSantis weighed in, calling Gutman’s commentary an example of “legacy media in all its glory.”

Senator Jim Banks of Indiana reacted with disbelief, writing simply, “Wait, what???” Fox News host Will Cain was more blunt, labeling the reaction “fundamentally, irredeemably, broken.”

Karol Markowicz, a columnist known for her sharp critiques of mainstream media, summed up her reaction with a terse “Wtaf” on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter.

Thousands of users echoed similar sentiments, with several posts demanding Gutman’s dismissal from ABC News gaining significant traction.

Despite the uproar, Gutman doubled down on his initial remarks during an ABC livestream later that day, reiterating that he found the texts both revealing and emotionally resonant.

“I don’t think I ever experienced a press conference in which we’ve read text messages that are A – so fulsome, so robust, so apparently allegedly self-incriminating and yet, on the other hand, so touching, right?” he told viewers.

He again stressed the suspect’s affectionate language toward Twiggs while acknowledging that Robinson simultaneously urged his partner to conceal evidence from law enforcement.

Robinson, who appeared in court on September 16 for his arraignment, remains in custody.

Prosecutors have confirmed they will seek capital murder charges, citing the aggravated nature of the crime, including the endangerment of children and the premeditated targeting of a high-profile political figure.

The case is expected to reignite debate over Utah’s capital punishment laws, with officials already hinting at the possibility of a firing squad being used if Robinson is convicted and sentenced to death.

The victim, Charlie Kirk, was a prominent conservative activist and founder of the student movement Turning Point USA.

Known for his outspoken defense of former President Donald Trump and his regular appearances at conservative conferences and rallies, Kirk had cultivated a large following among young Republicans and was seen as one of the movement’s rising figures.

His death on September 10 sent shockwaves through the conservative community and beyond.

Eric Trump, speaking in the days following the assassination, described Kirk as someone his father regarded as “a second son,” adding that the killing was “the biggest mistake the left has ever made.”

Meanwhile, Robinson’s partner, 23-year-old Lance Twiggs, has also come under scrutiny. Identified in court filings as Robinson’s roommate and romantic partner, Twiggs was the recipient of the controversial text exchange that sparked Gutman’s comments.

Social media posts connected to Twiggs show the young individual documenting aspects of their gender transition and personal life.

Authorities have not accused Twiggs of wrongdoing, but prosecutors pointed to Robinson’s urging of Twiggs to erase evidence as part of their case against the suspect.

The fallout for ABC News remains uncertain. While the network has not issued a public statement in response to the criticism, pressure is mounting for a response to Gutman’s remarks.

Media analysts noted that Gutman, a longtime ABC correspondent who has covered international conflicts, natural disasters, and high-profile criminal cases, has previously been regarded as a serious journalist with extensive on-air experience.

This incident, however, has cast a shadow over his credibility in the eyes of many viewers.

Critics argue that Gutman’s description of the texts as “very touching” appeared to humanize the suspect at a moment when the focus should remain on the victim, his family, and the broader public safety concerns raised by the attack.

Supporters, however, suggested that Gutman may have been attempting to highlight the emotional complexity of the case, rather than sympathize with Robinson directly. Still, the prevailing reaction across social media and political circles has been overwhelmingly negative.

As the trial of Tyler Robinson moves forward, attention is likely to remain on both the legal proceedings and the media coverage surrounding them.

For now, ABC News finds itself at the center of a growing controversy, forced to navigate the fallout from one of its top correspondent’s most controversial on-air remarks to date.