Jenna Bush Hager Joins Hoda Kotb As Permanent 4th Hour 'Today' Cohost
Feb. 26 2019, Updated 3:20 p.m. ET
Jenna Bush Hager just landed the job of her dreams! This Tuesday, February 26, Kathie Lee Gifford announced the stunner would be replacing her on the show's fourth hour as a permanent cohost with veteran Hoda Kotb!
"I think everybody pretty much knows that in about five weeks I'm going to be leaving the Today show after 11 wonderful, unbelievable years. It's starting to dawn on us that it's really going to happen, and there's been a lot of speculation about what's going to happen, who is going to be here the following Monday, and how is the show going forward and all that," Gifford, 65, said before calling Hager, 37, to the stage.
"The person is — come on out! Jenna bush Hager!" she and Kotb, 54, said in unison as a smiling Hager walked up to the host table.
"Oh, my gosh. My heart is pounding. Pounding!" said Hager while hugging her colleagues.
Staffers brought along glasses of white wine for the stars to sip on as they celebrated Hager's new position.
"I want to cry," said Hager.
"Go ahead," responded Gifford, asking a staffer for some tissues.
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"Jenna bush Hager has been filling in on this show for years. When I was off, she filled in with you, Kath, Kath, when you were off — Jenna is, I don't know if you guys know, but here on NBC and around the country, Jenna is loved," said Kotb.
"Beloved," added Gifford.
"Are you trying to make me weep?" said Hager.
"Kath is a legend. I still can't believe sitting here looking at you today, Kath, I have the great privilege of sitting next to you for 11 years. Those molonoglotics, whatever the word is, that is too big for anybody. Jenna is going to join us, and we should let everyone know we'll probably have other announcements about how the show will unfold. I look at the two of you together. Jenna, how does it feel?" continued Kotb.
"It feels good," said Hager. "It feels humbling and I can't believe it."
This weekend, RadarOnline.com exclusively reported that Hager was "livid" that she hadn't immediately been given the job after Gifford announced her show departure weeks ago.
"Bush is pushing Hoda. to put pressure on the bosses to give her the job," an insider told RadarOnline.com. "Bush is also very close with SavannahOpens a New Window. Guthrie and cannot understand why she doesn't have this job yet."
Meanwhile, the source said the problem was that many top executives thought they could "do better" than Bush and would basically be willing to give her the job if they couldn't "find anyone better."
Now, however, Hager is set to replace Gifford when she leaves NBC this April.
What do you think about Jenna Bush Hager's new Today show role? Sound off below!
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