ABC News correspondent Matt Gutman was harshly criticized for his empathetic description of text messages between Charlie Kirk's accused assassin and his transgender partner.
And now the outcry has led Gutman to issue a public apology on X.
"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," he wrote in his explanation on X.
"I deeply regret that my words did not make that clear.
"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."
Gutman presented the killer's apparent confessional texts as "intimate," "fulsome," and "very touching."
Prosecutors on Tuesday revealed text messages between Tyler Robinson and his roommate, in which Robinson allegedly admitted to killing Kirk, described hiding his rifle, and detailing his planning in the days before the shooting.
After the press conference was over, Gutman reported, "I don't know if 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.
"But also it was very touching in a way that 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 was transitioning, calling him 'my love' and 'I want to protect you my love.'"
Gutman's comments have provoked backlash on social media, with some calling for him to be fired, the New York Post reported Wednesday, with ABC News having not yet responded.
Republican political strategist Alex Bruesewitz called reporting "absolutely disgusting" and insisted that Gutman "should be fired."
Conservative commentator Meghan McCain shared a clip of the interview, and wrote: "Is everyone @ABC out of their minds?!"
Brian Freeman ✉
Brian Freeman, a Newsmax writer based in Israel, has more than three decades writing and editing about culture and politics for newspapers, online and television.