Jenna Bush Hager Cries Praising Savannah Guthrie for Doing “Today ”Interview amid 'Despair': 'She Didn't Have to Do That'
Jenna Bush Hager Cries Praising Savannah Guthrie for Doing “Today ”Interview amid 'Despair': 'She Didn't Have to Do That'
Rachel McRadyFri, March 27, 2026 at 3:35 PM UTC
1
Jenna Bush Hager, Savannah GuthrieCredit: NBC; TODAY/Youtube -
Savannah Guthrie plans to return to the Today show on April 6, two months after her mother’s abduction
Jenna Bush Hager praised the bravery and vulnerability that Savannah showed during her emotional interview with Hoda Kotb
Savannah’s colleagues noted the symbolic timing of her return and expressed their support for her
Jenna Bush Hager is proud of her friend.
After part two of Savannah Guthrie’s emotional interview with Hoda Kotb aired on the Today show on Friday, March 27, her colleagues at the NBC morning show gathered to discuss her bravery and her plans to return on Monday, April 6 amid the ongoing investigation into her mother Nancy Guthrie’s abduction.
“Jenna, I just want to talk to you because there’s no one at this table that’s closer to Savannah than you. You guys are like sisters,” Kotb told Bush Hager, who appeared live on the Today show following the interview segment, alongside colleagues Dylan Dreyer, Al Roker and Craig Melvin.
Nancy Guthrie, Savannah Guthrie and Jenna Bush Hager on the 'Today' show onApril 17.Credit: Nathan Congleton/Getty
“I just want to say, everything she said to you over the last two days is perfectly Savannah,” said Bush Hager, who chose Savannah as the godmother of her 7-year-old son, Hal Hager, and who attends the same church as the longtime journalist.
“She has been braver than I can even imagine," Bush Hager continued, "She has been so vulnerable. I mean, she took her pain, her heart, her faith, her family in the midst of her despair, she laid it on the table for all of us. She didn’t have to do that. And she has. And I think of all of those people who’ve had heartbreak, they feel seen.”
Weatherman Al Roker commented on the significance of Savannah's return date, which is the Monday after Easter. “What’s wonderful, it’s almost symbolic after Easter and the resurrection, the rising, I think as a family we’ll hold hands and help her.”
Kotb commented that “of course” Roker had noticed the symbolism, and Bush Hager noted, "And [Savannah] had too, you know."
Advertisement
Jenna Bush Hager, Dylan Dreyer, Hoda Kotb, Craig Melvin and Al Roker on 'Today' on Friday, March 27.Credit: The Today Show
— sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
During the fourth hour of today on March 27, Bush Hager appeared again, but this time, in a pre-recorded episode of Today with Jenna & Sheinelle.
Bush Hager and Sheinelle Jones went on-air girls trip to Jamaica earlier this week, and opened up about being away from Savannah during such an emotional time on the March 26 episode.
“We’re gonna have a beautiful show, but before we get started here in Jamaica, we have to just say, we are here by the Caribbean Sea, the wind in our hair, but our hearts are also with our dearest friend Savannah,” Bush Hager said from the oceanside broadcast. “She spoke out today to Hoda. It’s hard, life is this crazy thing of happiness and joy. We’re surrounded by all of you. We’re so happy you’re here, and also [there's] pain. When you love somebody the way we love our girl, you can’t help but feel like she’s with us.”
Savannah Guthrie; Hoda KotbCredit: NBC
Savannah has been absent from the Today show since Feb. 1 when her 84-year-old mom, Nancy, was abducted from her Tucson, Ariz., home. Savannah traveled to Arizona to be with her family for weeks amid the ongoing investigation. However, after almost two months, no suspects have been named in the case.
Anyone with information about Nancy's disappearance is asked to please contact 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324) or the Pima County Sheriff’s Department 520-351-4900.
on People
Source: “AOL Entertainment”
