A video posted by soon-to-be CBS News chief correspondent Matt Gutman has ignited a social media firestorm, with the focus squarely on the journalist's physique rather than the scenic backdrop.
Shirtless Run Sparks Online Frenzy
Matt Gutman, 48, shared a self-filmed clip on Thursday showing him running shirtless on the Lykken trail in the mountains of Southern California. The former ABC news correspondent, who starts his new role at CBS on Monday, was immediately met with a barrage of complimentary Instagram comments about his build.
In an accompanying caption, Gutman reflected on using running as therapy amid personal and professional changes coming in 2026. "I find running to be one of the most effective forms of therapy," he wrote, describing the Palm Springs view as one of his "all-time favorite runs."
A Flood of 'Thirsty' Reactions
The response from followers was swift and overwhelmingly focused on his appearance. Comments ranged from playful to outright adulation, with many dubbing the post a classic 'thirst trap.'
"Well hello sir - great trail view," read one tongue-in-cheek remark. Another follower declared, "This stud is so freaking hot," followed by flame emojis. A third commented, "One of THE most sexiest reporters ever!!! Happy 2026 to us!!! Thanks Matt for this thirst trap video!!!" Hashtags like #TheHotnessOfMatt proliferated.
The reaction was so pronounced that many appeared to overlook a typo in a caption overlaid on the video, which read "Why I mostly rumountain [sic] trails."
A High-Profile Hire Under Bari Weiss
Gutman's move to CBS is a significant one. He was handpicked by new Editor-in-Chief Bari Weiss, a noted critic of legacy news media, and is her first major hire since taking the reins in October. Gutman, a longtime ABC journalist who previously worked at the Jerusalem Post, was reportedly let go by ABC without a fight last month, with the network not issuing a counter-offer following Weiss's approach.
His tenure at ABC was not without controversy. In 2020, he incorrectly reported that all four of Kobe Bryant's children died in the helicopter crash, leading to a one-month suspension and an on-air apology. He also apologised for describing texts from Charlie Kirk's suspected assassin as "very touching."
As he prepares to spearhead a new-look CBS News next week, his social media debut has certainly ensured he is already a topic of widespread conversation, albeit for reasons perhaps unexpected in news circles.
