‘Very touching in a way we did not expect’: Reporter forced to apologize after calling Charlie Kirk assassin’s texts ‘intimate’

ABC News reporter Matt Gutman found himself at the center of a controversy after making comments about text messages sent by the suspected assassin of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. The reporter’s remarks during a Tuesday broadcast drew widespread criticism from conservative voices and prompted a formal apology.

The incident occurred while Gutman was reporting on charging documents against Tyler Robinson, the man accused of killing Kirk at Utah Valley University last week. During his coverage, Gutman discussed text messages between Robinson and his roommate that were revealed during a press conference by the Utah County Attorney.

According to The Hill, during the broadcast, Gutman described the messages as “very touching in a way we did not expect” and said the exchange provided an “intimate” window into the moments following the assassination. These comments quickly sparked outrage across social media platforms, with clips of the segment being widely shared and criticized by Republican strategists, conservative influencers, and prominent right-wing accounts.

Gutman issues public apology on social media

On Wednesday, Gutman took to the social platform X to issue a formal apology for his remarks. In his statement, he attempted to clarify his intentions and expressed regret over the controversy his words had caused.

“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 wrote in his apology post.

The reporter acknowledged that his choice of words had failed to convey his intended message clearly. “I deeply regret that my words did not make that clear,” he continued in his statement. He emphasized his condemnation of the crime, stating: “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.”

The controversy has added fuel to ongoing tensions between conservative figures and ABC News. President Trump and his allies have previously raised issues with the network, with Trump threatening earlier this year to use Federal Communications Commission powers to revoke ABC’s broadcast license. 

Many on the right have blamed media coverage for contributing to an atmosphere that they argue has led to violence against conservatives and Trump supporters. This incident has reinforced those concerns about how major media outlets handle sensitive political stories, similar to other controversial celebrity apology situations that have drawn public backlash.

The assassination of Charlie Kirk has become a focal point for discussions about political violence and media responsibility. Kirk, known for his work as a conservative activist and public speaker, was killed during what appeared to be a targeted attack at the university campus. The case continues to develop as investigators work to understand the motives behind the attack and the relationship between Robinson and his victim. The incident joins a growing list of public apologies from celebrities and media figures who have faced criticism for their public statements.