Explosive leaked text messages have ripped the veil off the cosy relationship between a senior ABC News correspondent and a Democrat operative, revealing a coordinated attempt to ambush a leading conservative voice.
The messages, obtained by DailyMail.com, show ABC's chief national correspondent Matt Gutman in detailed discussions with Tyler Robinson, a Democratic activist, about orchestrating a secretly recorded interview with Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk.
The Setup: A Coordinated Ambush
The plot unfolded over a series of texts in March. Robinson, who had previously worked with the Democratic opposition research firm American Bridge, pitched Gutman on the idea of secretly recording Kirk during what would be presented as a friendly meeting.
Gutman's response was far from that of a detached journalist. Instead of shutting down the ethically dubious proposal, he engaged, asking logistical questions and even requesting a 'menu of options' for the questions Robinson would ask.
In one damning exchange, Gutman advises Robinson on how to appear more credible to Kirk, suggesting he use a pseudonym and create a fake LinkedIn profile to bolster his cover story.
Ethical Lines Blurred Beyond Recognition
The correspondence reveals a stunning disregard for basic journalistic standards:
- Collusion over Objectivity: Gutman moved from reporting on events to actively participating in their creation.
- Endorsement of Deception: He advised on how to best deceive the interview subject.
- Blurring of Roles: The line between journalist and political operative was completely erased.
This is not a case of a source tipping off a reporter to a story. This is a journalist acting as a strategic partner in a political sting operation.
The Fallout: Apologies and Internal Reviews
Following the expose, ABC News and Gutman were forced into damage control. The network issued a statement calling the texts 'a clear breach of ABC News editorial standards.' Gutman himself apologised to Kirk in a text message, admitting his actions were 'f**ked up' and 'not okay.'
For his part, Charlie Kirk has called for Gutman's resignation, stating that the journalist's conduct was 'disqualifying.' The incident has sparked outrage among media watchdogs and conservatives, who see it as confirmation of deep-seated bias within mainstream newsrooms.
The scandal raises profound questions about the integrity of political journalism and the lengths to which some in the media will go to target their ideological opponents.
