ABC News is taking heat after senior correspondent Matt Gutman described text messages between accused Charlie Kirk shooter Tyler Robinson and his transgender partner as “intimate” and “very touching.”
Gutman made the comments Tuesday during a live broadcast covering a Utah press conference where prosecutors laid out new evidence in the Kirk case.
Instead of focusing solely on the charges and alleged incriminating details, Gutman emphasized the emotional tone of the suspect’s messages.
“A very intimate portrait into this relationship between the suspect and his partner,” Gutman said. “Repeatedly calling him ‘my love’ and ‘I want to protect you, my love.’ It was very touching in a way many of us didn’t expect.”
Gutman’s Remarks Spark Instant Backlash
The remarks were met with widespread condemnation online from both lawmakers and commentators.
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Karol Markowicz of the New York Post bluntly responded: “Wtaf.”
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Florida Governor Ron DeSantis called it: “Legacy media in all its glory.”
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Sen. Jim Banks (R-IN) tweeted: “Wait, what???”
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Fox News host Will Cain blasted it as: “Fundamentally, irredeemably broken.”
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Meghan McCain piled on: “Is everyone @ABC out of their minds?!”
Several prominent X (formerly Twitter) users demanded that Gutman be fired, with multiple posts calling for ABC News to cut ties with him racking up thousands of likes.
What the Texts Revealed
According to prosecutors, Robinson allegedly texted his partner in the hours following the assassination of Charlie Kirk, using endearments like “my love” while simultaneously urging them to delete messages and avoid cooperating with law enforcement.
Prosecutors said those communications are now being used as part of the obstruction of justice charges Robinson faces.
Yet Gutman repeatedly circled back to the emotional framing:
“I don’t think I’ve ever experienced a press conference where texts were both so self-incriminating and yet, on the other hand, so touching,” he said on ABC’s livestream.
Prosecutors Stress the Seriousness
Utah officials stressed during the briefing that Robinson not only killed Kirk but also endangered attendees — including children present at the event.
Utah County Attorney Jeff Gray confirmed Robinson is charged with seven counts, including aggravated murder, obstruction of justice, and witness tampering. Prosecutors announced they will seek the death penalty.
Media Narrative Under Scrutiny
Critics argue Gutman’s framing soft-pedals the seriousness of the crime by presenting Robinson’s alleged “love story” alongside details of a political assassination.
ABC News has not released an official statement addressing the controversy.
And the network is not alone. Commentators noted that Montel Williams — a former talk show host once romantically linked to Vice President Kamala Harris — also echoed a sympathetic tone, suggesting the texts revealed a “tragic love element” to the case.
The backlash highlights ongoing frustration with how mainstream outlets frame politically sensitive events, especially in high-profile cases involving ideological or cultural divides.
Bottom Line
As the case against Robinson moves forward, ABC News now finds itself entangled in its own firestorm — accused of romanticizing communications from a man prosecutors say carefully planned and executed the murder of one of the most prominent conservative voices in America.
With mounting pressure from viewers, lawmakers, and media critics alike, ABC faces a growing credibility crisis at a time when trust in legacy news organizations is already at historic lows.
James Jenkins is a celebrated Pulitzer Prize-winning author whose work has reshaped the way readers think about social justice and human rights in America. Raised in Atlanta, Georgia, James grew up in a community that instilled in him both resilience and a strong sense of responsibility toward others. After studying political science and creative writing at Howard University, he worked as a journalist covering civil rights issues before dedicating himself fully to fiction. His novels are known for their sharp, empathetic portraits of marginalized communities and for weaving personal stories with broader political realities. Jenkins’s breakout novel, Shadows of Freedom, won national acclaim for its unflinching look at systemic inequality, while his more recent works explore themes of identity, resilience, and the fight for dignity in the face of oppression. Beyond his novels, James is an active public speaker, lecturing at universities and participating in nonprofit initiatives that support literacy and community empowerment. He believes that storytelling is a way to preserve history and inspire change. When not writing, James enjoys jazz music, mentoring young writers, and traveling with his family to explore cultures and stories around the world.
