Imagine a story so bizarre that an alleged assassin’s personal texts are dubbed "heartbreaking" by a mainstream reporter.
That’s the surreal twist in the tragic case of Charlie Kirk’s assassination, where ABC News correspondent Matt Gutman has ignited a firestorm by praising intimate messages between the suspect and his partner. It's a reminder of the lengths leftist media will go to humanise murderers.
The controversy swirls around Tyler Robinson, a 22-year-old charged with aggravated murder in the shocking killing of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk, as announced by Utah County Attorney Jeff Gray.
Fox News reported that Robinson faces multiple counts for a crime that authorities say endangered not just Kirk but a crowd, including children, adding to the severity of the case.
Home surveillance video, potentially capturing the killer fleeing, has been collected by law enforcement. The brutality of the act has left many reeling, with Jay Leno calling it the “death of free speech.”
Amid the legal proceedings, text exchanges between Robinson and his roommate, Lance Twiggs—a biological male identifying as a woman—were revealed in the indictment.
Reports from Fox News Digital previously noted a romantic relationship between the two. These messages, discussed at a press conference, paint a complex picture of the suspect.
In one exchange, Robinson wrote, “I am still ok, my love,” expressing regret for involving Twiggs while mentioning a need to retrieve his rifle. Another text saw Twiggs asking if Robinson committed the act, to which he chillingly replied, “I am, I’m sorry.” The rawness of these words contrasts sharply with the violence of the crime.
Yet, it’s ABC’s Matt Gutman who turned heads by describing these exchanges as “very touching” during both a press conference and a livestream. His take, while perhaps aiming for nuance, has struck many as wildly off-key for a case involving such a heinous act. How does one reconcile murder with sentimentality?
Gutman doubled down, calling the texts “heartbreaking on so many levels” and highlighting a supposed duality in Robinson’s character.
It’s a framing that feels like a stretch when weighed against the gravity of Kirk’s death. Critics are left wondering if the media is more concerned with building sympathy for Kirk's killer.
Social media erupted with backlash, as public figures and commentators slammed Gutman’s remarks as inappropriate. Sen. Jim Banks, R-Ind., reacted with a stunned “Wait, what???” while others labeled the take “insane” and questioned the press’s judgment. The outrage is palpable and, frankly, understandable.
ABC News has yet to respond to requests for comment on Gutman’s statements, leaving the public to parse this odd narrative alone. One can’t help but wonder if the network anticipated such a visceral reaction. Silence, in this case, speaks volumes.
The press conference itself was a clash of emotions, with prosecutors detailing aggravating factors like the public nature of the crime.
Robinson’s actions, they argued, put countless lives at risk, including those of children nearby. It’s a sobering reminder of the stakes involved.
Yet Gutman’s lens seemed fixated on the personal, almost romanticizing a suspect’s words to his partner. While understanding human complexity is valid, timing and context matter—something many feel was missed here. The focus on “touching” texts risks overshadowing the victim’s loss.
Robinson’s messages, including promises to protect Twiggs and requests to keep secrets, add a layer of intrigue to his motives. But do they justify a sympathetic spin? Most would argue they’re a footnote, not the headline.
The duality Gutman highlighted—violence versus affection—may exist, but it’s a tough sell when a life has been taken.
Charlie Kirk’s assassination isn’t a soap opera; it’s a tragedy that demands accountability over sentiment. The media’s role should be clarity, not confusion.
Critics like Karol Markowicz, with a blunt “Wtaf,” capture the frustration of those who see this as another example of progressive bias clouding judgment. When personal identity becomes the story over a violent crime, priorities seem misaligned. It’s a polite nudge to refocus on what matters: justice for Kirk.
