ABC News reporter Matt Gutman blasted for hailing ‘very touching’ texts between Charlie Kirk suspect and trans lover

ABC News reporter Matt Gutman is being slammed for describing texts from Charlie Kirk’s alleged assassin to his transgender lover as ‘very touching.’

The Chief National Correspondent, 47, sparked outrage while commenting on the messages murder suspect, Tyler Robinson, 22, sent to his roommate and romantic partner, Lance Twiggs, 22.

During the damning exchange, Robinson allegedly confessed to murdering the conservative commentator, 31, because he ‘had enough of his hatred.’

While the texts, which Utah County Attorney Jeffrey S. Gray read aloud during a press conference, offer blood-curdling insight into the suspected plot behind Kirk’s gory death, Gutman had a different take on what they revealed.

‘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,’ Guttman began.

‘But also, it was very touching in a way that I think 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 is 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.

ABC News reporter Matt Gutman (pictured) is being slammed for describing texts from Charlie Kirk ‘s suspected assassin to his transgender lover as ‘very touching’

Tyler Robinson (pictured), 22, appeared in court via Zoom on Tuesday. He faces capital murder charges

Political activist Charlie Kirk (pictured) was assassinated on September 10 at Utah Valley University

‘And then on the other hand, he was, you know, speaking so lovingly about his partner.’

Gutman’s analysis of the messages was immediately criticized by viewers who did not appreciate his commentary.

‘He is a despicable reporter,’ one user reacted on X. ‘I have no words,’ someone expressed in disbelief.

‘Godless view of humanity using God’s nature as the filter. It’s wickedness,’ another said.

‘I wonder what he had to say about Erika Kirk’s address on Friday? Did he find the anguish of a WIDOW touching?’ one woman chimed in.

Others called for Gutman to be ‘fired’ and for him to ‘cut it out.’ One woman asserted that ‘people on the left have lost their minds.’

‘These people are farther gone than I ever thought,’ another added, while someone said Gutman’s remarks were ‘insane and creepy of ABC.’

‘Yeah. Trying to humanize this evil bastard. Naaaaa. The BS ends now,’ one user wrote.

ABC reporter describes the text messages between the scumbag killer and his trans roommate, in which he admitted to killing him for being a conservative, as “very touching in a way that I think many of us didn’t expect.”pic.twitter.com/pMlPV3Abbg

— Greg Price (@greg_price11) September 16, 2025

Robinson allegedly confessed to killing Kirk to his romantic partner (pictured: messages shared by investigators)

The texts were read aloud by Utah County Attorney Jeffrey S. Gray (pictured) during a press conference

Kirk (pictured with his family) was a co-founder of the political nonprofit Turning Point USA

‘@ABC…you are sick, perverted journalists, not interested in promoting any health within our society. Evil,’ one man said.

The Daily Mail has reached out to ABC for comment.

On Tuesday, prosecutors released the text messages that detail the moment Robinson told his partner he allegedly murdered the Turning Point USA co-founder at Utah Valley University.

As Gray read at the conference, Robinson told Twiggs to look underneath his keyboard for a note.

According to a photo of the message reviewed by investigators, it reads: ‘I had the opportunity to take out Charlie Kirk and I’m going to take it.’

Robinson also wrote how he had left his rifle in the woods and inscribed messages in the bullets.

‘I’m worried what my old man would do if I didn’t bring back grandpa’s rifle … idk if it had a serial number, but it wouldn’t trace to me,’ Robinson allegedly wrote.

Authorities said he urged Twiggs to delete the messages, and later said he was going to turn himself in.

Kirk (pictured) died at UVU, which was the first stop of his American Comeback Tour

Gutman (pictured) has been criticized for his analysis of Robinson’s alleged messages

‘You’re all I worry about my love,’ he allegedly wrote to Twiggs. He also asked his roommate to avoid the media and investigators, Gray said.

Utah Governor Spencer Cox said Twiggs has been cooperative with the FBI’s investigation, while Robinson has not been.

‘What we have learned specifically is that this person did not have any knowledge, was shocked when they found out about it,’ Cox told NBC of Twiggs on Sunday.

Kirk was shot and killed on September 10 while visiting UVU in Orem during the first stop of his American Comeback Tour.

Less than two days later, Robinson turned himself in after being urged to do so by his father and a youth pastor.

He has been held without bail since his arrest, and it remains unclear whether he has an attorney.

Authorities say Robinson held a ‘leftist ideology’ and may have been ‘radicalized’ online before he was arrested for killing the MAGA influencer.

X users reacted to Gutman’s report on the text messages, in which Robinson allegedly confessed to Kirk’s murder

The murder suspect has been charged with capital murder charges for Kirk’s untimely death, which authorities said was a political assassination.

Robinson appeared in court via Zoom on Tuesday. He wore a suicide vest and spoke only to confirm his details during the hearing.

The suspect was seen repeatedly looking down, as he sat at the county jail wearing a green jumpsuit.

Prosecutors said they are seeking out the death penalty – meaning Robinson could die by firing squad – and have filed a protective order, preventing Robinson from approaching Kirk’s widow Erika.