Hoda Kotb Shocks Jenna Bush Hager with Surprise Drop-In on Today Show — ‘Wait, What Is Going On!?’

Though Hoda Kotb may have stepped away from her hosting duties, her bond with Jenna Bush Hager clearly hasn’t skipped a beat.

On Tuesday, March 11, the 60-year-old made a surprise appearance backstage at the Today show, catching her former co-host completely off guard just ahead of the morning briefing. The two previously co-hosted Today’s fourth hour for five years before Kotb said farewell on January 10.

Hoda Kotb surprises Jenna Bush Hager ahead of ‘Today with Jenna & Friends’. Photo:  TODAY with Jenna & Friends/Instagram

A video shared to the official Today with Jenna & Friends Instagram and TikTok accounts shows Kotb walking into a backstage dressing area, where she’s quickly greeted by a shocked and delighted Bush Hager, 43.

“What is happening?! I FaceTimed you today!” Jenna exclaims as she leaps from her chair and hugs Hoda. With a warm smile, Hoda replies, “I know. I had to come in for a second.” She then turns to Dwyane Wade, the current guest co-host, and tells him, “You’re crushing it! You’re so good.”

@jennaandfriends_

We had the best surprise in our briefing meeting this morning!! #HodaKotb dropped in to show her love and support for @Jenna Bush Hager and @Dwyane Wade 🫶 #JennaandFriends

♬ original sound – TODAY with Jenna & Friends

The video closes with Kotb hugging the rest of the team, leaving everyone beaming. The caption reads:
“We had the best surprise in our briefing meeting this morning!! @hodakotb dropped in to show her love and support for @jennabhager and @dwyanewade 🫶 #JennaandFriends.”

Kotb first announced her decision to leave Today in September 2024, following 17 years on the show. During her run, she co-anchored alongside Savannah Guthrie and co-hosted the beloved fourth hour with Bush Hager.

Hoda Kotb during an interview with host Seth Meyers. Photo: Lloyd Bishop/NBC via Getty

Now, Craig Melvin has taken over Kotb’s seat next to Guthrie, and Bush Hager’s hour continues under its new name, Today with Jenna & Friends, featuring a rotating lineup of celebrity co-hosts like Scarlett Johansson, Eva Longoria, Taraji P. Henson, and Keke Palmer.

Hoda Kotb and Jenna Bush Hager during the fourth hour of ‘Today’ on Tuesday, December 3, 2024. Photo: Nathan Congleton/NBC

A permanent co-host hasn’t been chosen yet, but Kotb is just as eager as fans to see who Jenna picks.
“I’m dying to know who it’ll be,” Kotb told PEOPLE at an event in February. “I keep asking Jenna, ‘Who’s going to be our friend forever?’”

Hoda Kotb, Jenna Bush Hager and Savannah Guthrie. Photo: Hoda Kotb/Instagram

Now retired to focus on raising her daughters, Haley Joy, 9, and Hope Catherine, 5, Kotb says the time away has only deepened her admiration for Jenna’s talents.
“She’s thriving,” Hoda said. “Even when she’s sitting across from someone new every week, she shines. Jenna is just… incredible.”