A former ABC news correspondent, soon to lead a revamped CBS News team, caused quite a stir on social media with a personal video. The clip, shot by himself, captured him shirtless during a run amidst the scenic mountains of Southern California.

Matt Gutman, 48, was immediately met with a barrage of Instagram comments on the Thursday post that complimented his physique.

Gutman will begin his role as CBS’s chief correspondent on Monday. He was chosen by the new Editor-in-Chief, Bari Weiss, who is known for her critical stance against traditional news outlets.

‘Lots of changes are coming in 2026 (work and personal) and like many of you I struggle with intrusive thoughts,’ he wrote in an accompanying caption,

“Running is one of the best forms of therapy for me,” Gutman expressed in the video.

He further shared, “This is among my favorite runs,” with the picturesque view of Palm Springs serving as the backdrop.

However, the video drew attention not just for its message, but also for Gutman himself, sparking a wave of admiring comments.

One viewer commented, “Thank you for this!” accompanied by emojis that clearly indicated their admiration was directed more toward Gutman than his words.

Incoming CBS Chief reporter Matt Gutman – formerly of ABC – posted a run he went on in the mountains of Southern California on Thursday

A flurry of ‘thirsty’ comments followed, fueled by the reporter’s cut physique

‘Well hello sir – great trail view,’ a more tongue-in-cheek response read.  

‘A more frank follower wrote: This stud is so freaking hot’ followed by a series of flame emojis. 

‘One of THE most sexiest reporters ever!!! Happy 2026 to us!!! Thanks Matt for this thirst trap video!!!’ said someone else.

Multiple referred to the post as a ‘thirst trap.’

Hashtags like ‘#TheHotnessOfMatt’ were hurled.

The response was so pronounced, many appeared to miss a glaring typo in the reporter’s other caption, emblazoned over his head on the hard run.   

‘Why I mostly rumountain [sic] trails (when I can),’ it read.   

The recording was filmed the day before on the Lykken trail, according to Gutman’s other caption.

It read, in part: ‘Running a steep trail with a precipitous drop off and rocks strewn everywhere forces you to focus on every footfall. 

Gutman, 48, starts is CBS stint next week. ABC let him go last month willingly, according to a source

Gutman was handpicked by  Bari Weiss, a legacy media-hating opinion journalist who’s been tasked with revamping the Tiffany Network

‘Your brain doesn’t have time to let in all the other noise because it’s just trying to prevent you from going splat and breaking a femur or your face. 

‘And for 45 minutes one can experience a sliver or zen, mountain air, and a pretty awesome view.’  

Gutman – a longtime ABC journalist – is Weiss’s first hire since she took the reins back in October. He previously worked at the Jerusalem Post.

He made headlines in September for describing texts sent by Charlie Kirk ‘s suspected assassin to his partner as ‘very touching’.

In 2020, he offered up a false report that all four of late NBA star Kobe Bryant’s children died in a Calabasas helicopter crash that killed the athlete, when in actuality, only one daughter, 13-year-old Gianna, had passed away.

Both incidents led to on-air apologies. He was suspended by ABC for a month for the Bryant report.

Execs at ABC let the longtime correspondent go without a fight, a well-placed source told the Daily Mail last month. 

Following Weiss’s unspecified offer, ABC did not issue a counter, the source said.