Hoda Kotb Calls Out Jenna Bush Hager for Suggesting Gayle King asTodayReplacement: 'My Seat Isn't Even Cold Yet!'

Mar. 15, 2025

Jenna Bush Hager teases Hoda Kotb on ‘Today With Hoda & Jenna’ Dec. 3.Photo:NBC/TODAY

NBC/TODAY

Jenna Bush Hageris working through her conflicted emotions overHoda Kotb’s upcomingTodayshow exit.

Calling King, 69, her “bestie,” Bush Hager, 43, addressedOprah Winfrey’s longtime pal, saying, “There’s a seat open.”

Kotb, 60, looked faux aghast, replying, “My seat isn’t even cold yet!”

Bush Hager didn’t let it drop, adding, “I know you have a job over at60 Minutesand such, butGayle & Jennahas a beautiful ring to it. I’m just kidding.”

Kotb said she “loved” King, jokingly adding, “Tell me more about how Gayle King is awesome, please.”

Gayle King on ‘CBS Mornings’ on Jan. 9, 2024.Mary Kouw/CBS

Mary Kouw/CBS

And the former first daughter kept the playful ribbing going while interviewing guestMikey Day.

“Do you likeShaboozey?” Bush Hager she asked him ofSaturday Night Live’s upcoming music performer. “Gayle KinglovesShaboozey.”

But Kotb was quick to call Bush Hager out, saying of her co-anchor, “Why do you? Do you hear what she’s trying to do? She’s shading me. She brings up Gayle King 10 times during our show.”

Rather than denying it, Bush Hager fully admitted to her playful diss. “Today, that’s the anger I have,” she told Day, 44. “I have abandonment issues with her leaving, so today, Gayle King is the way I’m dealing with those.”

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Hoda Kotb and Jenna Bush Hager on the ‘Today’ show on Monday, Nov. 1, 2021.Nathan Congleton/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty

Nathan Congleton/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty

As for Kotb’s role on theTodaymorning newsdesk,Craig Melvinwill be replacing the mother of two alongsideSavannah Guthriecome Jan. 13, 2025. Asource previously told PEOPLEthat the selection was a popular one in theTodayfamily.

“Everybody on the set cheered when the announcement was made,” the insider said. “The whole staff loves him.”

When it comes to Kotb’s post-Todayplans, the longtime morning show host said she is looking forward to hitting the snooze button… sort of.  “I’m used to getting up at 3:00,”Hoda told PEOPLE.“So I’m sleeping in. I’m going to go to a 5:30 SoulCycle.”

Today with Hoda & Jennaairs weekdays (10 a.m. ET) on NBC.

source: people.com