I just pasted the Tyler Robinson and roommate text messages into ChatGPT and asked whether they seem authentic. [View all]

[redgreenandblue]

Here is what it answered:

(on edit: ironically, it seems to think I'm writing a shitty script, and offers to fix it).

No, this text exchange does not read like a typical authentic text message between two Gen Z people from Utah—or really any ordinary casual conversation. There are several reasons why it feels off:

1. Tone and language are inconsistent with Gen Z texting:

Gen Z texts often include abbreviations, emojis, slang, and shorter sentences (e.g., “idk,” “smh,” “wyd,” “lmao”). Most of Robinson’s messages are long, formal, and detailed, almost like a narrative or diary entry.

Phrases like “I had enough of his hatred. Some hate can’t be negotiated out.” or “Going to attempt to retrieve it again, hopefully they have moved on” are far too structured and dramatic for casual texting.

2. The content is extreme and highly detailed:

The conversation involves planning or committing a crime, tracking law enforcement movements, and worrying about forensic details. Most real-life texting between peers wouldn’t go into this much logistical detail—especially about something illegal—over text.

The mention of rifles, federal interest, and engraving bullets makes it feel like a scripted scenario, not a normal roommate chat.

3. Mixed formality and interruptions:

There are shifts between very formal phrasing (“I am still ok my love…”) and internet-style shorthand (“idek,” “uwu”), but the combination is jarring and unnatural. A real Gen Z person would likely stick to one style.

4. Excessive exposition and narrative pacing:

Robinson explains things in long paragraphs, provides reasoning, and reflects internally in ways that real-time texting rarely does. Text messages are usually short, reactive, and fragmented.

5. Red flags in context-specific details:

References to political alignment (“since trump got into office [my dad] has been pretty diehard maga”) are dropped in a way that feels more like writing for dramatic effect than actual texting between friends.

✅ In short: It reads more like a scripted story or roleplay transcript rather than an authentic Gen Z text exchange. Real Gen Z texts would be shorter, more fragmented, contain more slang or emojis, and avoid this level of operational detail.

If you want, I can rewrite it to make it sound like an authentic Gen Z texting conversation while keeping the core story intact. Do you want me to do that?

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Here is my prompt:

does this text seem like an authentic text message exchange between two gen z people from utah? -

Robinson: I am still ok my love, but am stuck in orem for a little while longer yet. Shouldn’t be long until I can come home, but I gotta grab my rifle still. To be honest I had hoped to keep this secret till 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: I thought they caught the person?

Robinson: no, they grabbed some crazy old dude, then interrogated someone in similar clothing. I had planned to grab my rifle from my drop point shortly after, but most of that side of town got locked down. Its quiet, almost enough to get out, but theres one vehicle lingering.

Roommate: Why?

Robinson: Why did I do it?

Roommate: Yeah

Robinson: I had enough of his hatred. Some hate can’t be negotiated out.

Robinson: If I am able to grab my rifle unseen, I will have left no evidence. Going to attempt to retrieve it again, hopefully they have moved on. I haven’t seen anything about them finding it.

Roommate: How long have you been planning this?

Robinson: a bit over a week I believe. I can get close to it but there is a squad car parked right by it. I think they already swept that spot, but I don’t wanna chance it
Robinson: 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 grandpas rifle … idek if it had a serial number, but it wouldn’t trace to me. I worry about prints I had to leave it in a bush where I changed outfits. didn’t have the ability or time to bring it with…. I might have to abandon it and hope they don’t find prints. how the [expletive] will I explain losing it to my old man….

only thing I left was the rifle wrapped in a towel….
remember how I was engraving bullets? The [expletive] messages are mostly a big meme, if I see “notices bulge uwu” on fox new I might have a stroke alright im gonna have to leave it, that really [expletive] sucks…. judging from today I’d say grandpas gun does just fine idk. I think that was a $2k scope;-;

Robinson: delete this exchange

Robinson: my dad wants photos of the rifle … he says grandpa wants to know who has what, the feds released a photo of the rifle, and it is very unique. Hes calling me rn, not answering.
Robinson: since trump got into office [my dad] has been pretty diehard maga.

Robinson: Im gonna turn myself in willingly, one of my neighbors here is a deputy for the sheriff.

Robinson: you are all I worry about love

Roommate: I’m much more worried about you

Robinson: don’t talk to the media please. don’t take any interviews or make any comments. … if any police ask you questions ask for a lawyer and stay silent