It’s been a week since Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk was assassinated by a trans-adjacent (allegedly) leftist with a grudge. Despite a press conference by the local prosecutor with extensive details, the legacy newscasts avoided any discussion of the shooter’s motive.
CBS has been the most reluctant to discuss motive among the nightly newscasts. Here’s how las
MAURICE DuBOIS: The suspect in the fatal shooting of the conservative activist Charlie Kirk made his first court appearance today. Tyler Robinson heard the charges against him.
JOHN DICKERSON: Including aggravated murder. If convicted, Robinson could get the death penalty.
DuBOIS: Prosecutors say Robinson had planned the assassination for more than a week and confessed to his roommate. As for motive, the Utah County Attorney Jeffrey Gray says Robinson claimed Kirk was spreading hate and told the roommate “I had enough.”
DICKERSON: Gray did not cite any specific example of what Kirk had said that may have set Robinson off.
Maurice DuBois laid it outright there in the open, for all to see. John Dickerson, however, continued to avoid the subject, relying on technical sleight of hand. What the Utah County district attorney read was a charging document with its probable cause predicates, not a trial transcript. But Dickerson expects a full evidentiary display.
At ABC, you got an inkling on World News Tonight, but no direct acknowledgement within anchor David Muir’s extensive open to Matt Gutman’s report:
DAVID MUIR: Good evening and it’s great to have you with us here on a very busy Tuesday night. We begin tonight with the breaking developments in the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. Just a short time ago, the suspect, Tyler Robinson, and his first appearance in court. The suspect appearing over a video link, the first time he’s been seen since his arrest. Utah County Attorney Jeff Gray signaling late today his intent to seek the death penalty. Robinson facing seven charges now, including aggravated murder, obstruction of justice, and witness tampering. And the county attorney sharing for the first time that suspect’s mother allegedly recognizing her son from the surveillance images and then going to her husband and he agreed. And what they did next. The county attorney also revealing text messages the suspect allegedly shared with his roommate, saying the suspect disliked Charlie Kirk, texting his roommate, quote, “I had enough of his hatred.” And tonight here, the Utah County attorney on what the suspect allegedly said when asked by his family and by his roommate- why. Matt Gutman leading us off again tonight from Utah.
I am pleased to report that Gutman did not close out with another likening of this terrible story to a trans-adjacent Rodeo & Juliet, as he did twice prior to the evening news. Three times was NOT the charm.
NBC went for more of the same except for one big divergence from the script that no else on the legacies had touched as of yet: the chat server.
MORGAN CHESKY: And tonight, the FBI says its investigation is not over, including into an online group chat Robinson was allegedly communicating with.
JOHN KENNEDY So others could have been involved?
KASH PATEL: Yes, sir.
LLAMAS: Okay. Morgan joins us now live. Morgan,
Credit to NBC for putting that out there instead of pretending it doesn’t exist- which is what the legacies did for a week regarding leftist inclinations, sexual preferences. The chat server leads to many more unbelievable items, and we’ll see if and how they cover them. For now, there remains a reluctance from legacy media to examine a theory of motive that might prove offensive to their sensibilities. But we’ll see.
Click “expand” to view the full transcripts of the aforementioned reports as aired on their respective networks on Tuesday, September 16th, 2025:
ABC WORLD NEWS TONIGHT
9/16/25
6:32 PM
DAVID MUIR: Good evening and it’s great to have you with us here on a very busy Tuesday night. We begin tonight with the breaking developments in the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. Just a short time ago, the suspect, Tyler Robinson, and his first appearance in court. The suspect appearing over a video link, the first time he’s been seen since his arrest. Utah County Attorney Jeff Gray signaling late today his intent to seek the death penalty. Robinson facing seven charges now, including aggravated murder, obstruction of justice, and witness tampering. And the county attorney sharing for the first time that suspect’s mother allegedly recognizing her son from the surveillance images and then going to her husband and he agreed. And what they did next. The county attorney also revealing text messages the suspect allegedly shared with his roommate, saying the suspect disliked Charlie Kirk, texting his roommate, quote, “I had enough of his hatred.” And tonight here, the Utah County attorney on what the suspect allegedly said when asked by his family and by his roommate- why. Matt Gutman leading us off again tonight from Utah.
MATT GUTMAN: Tonight, the man accused of gunning down conservative activist Charlie Kirk in front of hundreds of people appearing before a judge for the first time, now charged with seven counts, including aggravated murder.
JUDGE TONY GRAF: State of Utah versus Tyler James Robinson. Could you state your name?
TYLER ROBINSON: Tyler James Robinson.
GUTMAN: The 22-year-old appearing to listen intently, nodding slightly, as prosecutors said they would be seeking the death penalty.
CHAD GRUNADER: We did file just recently within the last few minutes a notice of intent to seek the death penalty.
GUTMAN: Earlier today, county attorney Jeff Gray outlining the case against Robinson, including video and DNA evidence.
JEFF GRAY: DNA consistent with Robinson was found on the rifle’s trigger.
GUTMAN: He described Robinson’s appearance in those widely circulated photos, the black cap, shades, t-shirt, with an eagle and an American flag. Millions saw those images. One of them was the suspect’s own mother.
GRAY: Robinson’s mother saw the photo of the shooter in the news and thought the shooter looked like her son. Robinson’s mother expressed concern to her husband that the suspect shooter looked like Robinson. Robinson’s father agreed.
GUTMAN: And prosecutors say that father got his son on the phone.
GRAY: Robinson’s parents were able to meet at the home. As they discussed the situation, Robinson implied that he was the shooter and stated that he couldn’t go to jail and just wanted to end it. When asked why he did it, Robinson explained, there is too much evil and the guy, referring to Charlie Kirk, spreads too much hate.
GUTMAN: Prosecutors say Robinson’s parents convinced him to turn himself in, and his mother later describing a change in her son.
GRAY: Over the last year or so, Robinson had become more political, and had started to lean more to the left, becoming more pro-gay and trans-rights oriented. She stated that Robinson began to date his roommate, a biological male, who was transitioning genders. This resulted in several discussions with family members, but especially between Robinson and his father, who have very different political views.
GUTMAN: And prosecutors say that in the hours after the assassination, Robinson texted that roommate a note.
GRAY: The roommate received a text message from Robinson, which said, “Drop what you’re doing, look under my keyboard.” The roommate looked under the keyboard and found a note that stated, quote, “I had the opportunity to take out Charlie Kirk and I’m going to take it.”
GUTMAN: Prosecutors say that at first the roommate thought Robinson was joking. But Robinson insisting he wasn’t.
GRAY: “To be honest, I had hoped to keep this secret until I died of old age. I am sorry to involve you”. Roommate : “you weren’t the one who did it, right?” Robinson: “I am. I’m sorry”. Roommate: “why?” Robinson: “why did I do it?” Roommate: “yeah.” Robinson: “I had enough of his hatred. Some hate can’t be negotiated out.”
GUTMAN: And David, that suspect here at this jail is under what’s called special watch to ensure that he doesn’t harm himself or that others don’t harm him. Now he’s had those seven charges brought against him. Some of them enhanced, said the prosecutor, because he allegedly committed this crime in full view of children. And when I asked the prosecutor whether anyone else is involved, he said he couldn’t comment but the investigation is ongoing, David.
MUIR: Matt Gutman leading us off here again tonight. Matt, thank you.
CBS EVENING NEWS
9/16/25
6:34 PM
MAURICE DuBOIS: The suspect in the fatal shooting of the conservative activist Charlie Kirk made his first court appearance today. Tyler Robinson heard the charges against him.
JOHN DICKERSON: Including aggravated murder. If convicted, Robinson could get the death penalty.
DuBOIS: Prosecutors say Robinson had planned the assassination for more than a week and confessed to his roommate. As for motive, the Utah County Attorney Jeffrey Gray says Robinson claimed Kirk was spreading hate and told the roommate “I had enough.”
DICKERSON: Gray did not cite any specific example of what Kirk had said that may have set Robinson off. Carter Evans has been covering this story since the killing last Wednesday at Utah Valley University and joins us tonight from the courthouse in Provo. Carter?
CARTER EVANS: Today we saw suspect Tyler Robinson for the first time in court after prosecutors laid out pages of new details that showed the alleged shooter may have killed Charlie Kirk with what he called “grandpa’s rifle.”
Shortly before suspect Tyler Robinson made his first court appearance from jail…
JUDGE TONY GRAF: Mr. Robinson, on count one, aggravated murder…
EVANS: Utah County Attorney Jeff Gray unveiled sweeping allegations of what happened after Charlie Kirk was assassinated on the campus of Utah Valley University last Wednesday.
JEFF GRAY: Police interviewed Robinson’s roommate, a biological male who was involved in a romantic relationship with Robinson.
EVANS: Perhaps most stunning was this accusation of what happened shortly after the shooting.
GRAY: The roommate received a text message from Robinson which said “Drop what you’re doing, look under my keyboard.” The roommate looked under the keyboard and found a note that stated, quote, “I had the opportunity to take out Charlie Kirk, and I’m going to take it.”
EVANS: Court documents included a series of text messages where Robinson seemed to confess.
GRAY: Roommate : “you weren’t the one who did it, right?” Robinson: “I am. I’m sorry”. Roommate: “why?” Robinson: “why did I do it?” Roommate: “yeah.” Robinson: “I had enough of his hatred. Some hate can’t be negotiated out. If I am able to grab my rifle unseen, I will have left no evidence.”
EVANS: The alleged murder weapon was found in a wooded area near campus.
GRAY: Robinson again: “I’m wishing I had circled back and grabbed it as soon as I got to my vehicle. I’m worried what my old man would do if I didn’t bring back grandpa’s rifle.”
EVANS: And the county attorney said Robinson made a request toward the end of the string of text messages.
GRAY: Robinson again: “Delete this exchange. You are all I worry about, love.” That came from Robinson. Roommate: “I’m much more worried about you.” I am filing a notice of intent to seek the death penalty.
GRAF: You will remain in custody without bail.
EVANS: The hearing lasted just a few minutes.
EVANS: Did your investigation uncover any individuals that may have known about this shooting in advance?
GRAY: They are still looking into, it is an undergoing investigation.
EVANS: So it’s not a possibility?
GRAY: They haven’t ruled that out.
DuBOIS: Carter, what did you notice about Robinson’s demeanor?
EVANS: He was stoic the entire time. He showed no emotion, even when the judge mentioned the death penalty. And by the way, that green vest he was wearing, that’s to prevent self-harm.
DICKERSON: So any remorse, Carter, at all?
EVANS: I didn’t see any in the courtroom, and not in those text messages that were released earlier, as well. It seems like the suspect was more concerned with getting caught. His partner’s well-being, and losing his grandpa’s gun.
DuBOIS: Okay. Carter Evans in Provo, Utah. Thank you.
NBC NIGHTLY NEWS
9/16/25
6:32 PM
TOM LLAMAS: And good evening. We thought we knew a lot about the killing of Charlie Kirk, and today we learned so much more. Prosecutors painting a dark and twisted plot to kill. The suspect in the case, you see him right here, appearing in court for the first time wearing that protective vest. He now faces a long list of charges. Here they are, including aggravated murder and state prosecutors say they will now seek the death penalty. It comes as investigators released excerpts of text messages between him and his roommate, who he was romantically involved with. His roommate texting, “why?” The suspect responding, “why did I do it?” “Yeah”, writes his roommate. “I had enough of his hatred.” Also, investigators say after the shooting his mother and father recognized him in pictures released by authorities and confronted their son. The alleged killer saying his plan was to keep the murder a secret, but he appears to have left investigators a pile of evidence. Morgan Chesky shows us what they found.
MORGAN CHESKY: Tonight, the suspect in the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk appearing in court, wearing a safety smock to prevent suicide.
JUDGE TONY GRAF Could you state your name?
TYLER ROBINSON: Tyler James Robinson.
CHESKY: 22-year-old Tyler Robinson facing seven counts, including aggravated murder. The prosecutor saying he’ll seek the death penalty, which means a potential firing squad.
JEFF GRAY: I do not take this decision lightly. And it is a decision I have made independently.
CHESKY: The prosecutor also revealing new details about the hours leading up to Robinson’s arrest, saying his mother saw these surveillance images, believing it looked like her son. Calling him to ask where he’d been.
GRAY: He said he was at home sick.
CHESKY: Then revealing her suspicions to her husband.
GRAY Robinson’s father agreed. Robinson’s mother explained that over the last year or so, Robinson had become more political and had started to lean more to the left, becoming more pro-gay and trans-rights oriented. She stated that Robinson began to date his roommate, a biological male who was transitioning genders. This resulted in several discussions with family members, but especially between Robinson and his father, who have very different political views.
CHESKY: Prosecutors say Robinson’s parents then spoke with him at their home.
GRAY: Robinson implied that he was the shooter and stated that he couldn’t go to jail and just wanted to end it.
CHESKY: They called a family friend, who convinced Robinson to turn himself in. Tonight, we’re also learning more about disturbing text messages. Prosecutors say he sent his roommate the day of the shooting, telling the roommate to look under his keyboard.
GRAY: The roommate looked under the keyboard and found a note that stated, quote, “I had the opportunity to take out Charlie Kirk, and I’m going to take it”.
CHESKY: The prosecutor saying the roommate later texted, “you weren’t the one who did it, right? And Robinson responded, “I am, I’m sorry”. The roommate asking, “why?” And Robinson writing,” I had enough of his hatred. Some hate can’t be negotiated out.” Telling his roommate to delete the texts and not talk to police.
Mr. Gray, are you confident that the roommate had no part of this attack whatsoever?
GRAY: Again, I’m not going to comment on the evidence.
CHESKY: And tonight, the FBI says its investigation is not over, including into an online group chat Robinson was allegedly communicating with.
JOHN KENNEDY So others could have been involved?
KASH PATEL: Yes, sir.
LLAMAS: Okay. Morgan joins us now live. Morgan, prosecutors also revealing more details about forensic evidence in this case?
CHESKY: Yeah, Tom, they are. They found DNA on the trigger of that bolt action rifle as well as target boards inside Robinson’s apartment. And we’re hearing that when the roommate asked Robinson how long he’d been planning this, he allegedly responded “over a week.” Tom.
LLAMAS: All right. Morgan Chesky for us.
