CBS News anchor Matt Gutman is facing a sexual harassment lawsuit filed by a former ABC News colleague, Samira Said, who alleges he made inappropriate sexual remarks during assignments between 2021 and 2025. The lawsuit brings renewed attention to Gutman's past reporting errors during his 17 years as a correspondent for ABC News.
Said claims that during one assignment, Gutman discussed and rated the appearance of a female correspondent while they were waiting in line, an exchange where other male crew members allegedly encouraged Said to participate. According to the lawsuit, Gutman then made a "sexualized insinuation" about Said in front of coworkers, suggesting she had an "after-hours date in the city." Said asserts these comments were demeaning and reduced her professional judgment to a sexualized stereotype.
This is not the first time Gutman's professional conduct has drawn scrutiny. In January 2020, he falsely reported on-air that all four of Kobe Bryant's children died in a helicopter crash; only Bryant and his 13-year-old daughter, Gianna, perished. ABC News suspended Gutman for this error, stating his reporting failed to meet editorial standards. He later corrected the report and apologized to the Bryant family.
Approximately a year later, in February 2021, Gutman received another suspension for violating ABC News' COVID-19 policy. He visited a hospital without prior approval from the news department, a requirement for all hospital visits at the time.
In late 2025, while covering the killing of Charlie Kirk, Gutman faced backlash for describing a text exchange between the alleged shooter, Tyler Robinson, and his transitioning partner as "very touching." He commented on the "duality of someone who the attorney said not only jeopardized the life of Charlie Kirk and the crowd… and then on the other hand, he was, you know, speaking so lovingly about his partner." Following criticism, Gutman issued a statement clarifying his intent, condemning the crime, and expressing regret that his words did not adequately convey the contrast he intended to highlight.
Gutman was hired by CBS News in October 2025 by Bari Weiss. He has not yet publicly responded to the lawsuit filed by Said. The California Post has reached out to ABC, CBS, and Gutman for comment.