20 Minutes ago, Savannah Guthrie & Jenna Bush Hager was confirmed as…
Savannah Guthrie & Jenna Bush Hager Tear up During Emotional ‘Today’ Conversation
What To Know
- Savannah Guthrie and Jenna Bush Hager shared an emotional conversation on Today With Jenna & Sheinelle.
- The pair reflected on their close friendship and Savannah’s strength following her mother Nancy Guthrie’s disappearance.
- Savannah filled in for Sheinelle Jones during the episode, as the latter had the day off.
Savannah Guthrie kicked off her Today With Jenna & Sheinelle guest-hosting gig on an emotional note.
Guthrie filled in for Sheinelle Jones during the Monday, June 8, episode, as Jones had the day off. Guthrie’s appearance alongside Jenna Bush Hager was fitting as Monday marked National Best Friends Day.
“You know how much I adore you, and I know all of us feel that way. When you walked in the makeup room earlier, there were claps and hugs because you are beloved. And we love you here,” Bush Hager gushed. She began to choke up as she continued praising Savannah’s strength on and off the small screen.
“I’m just marveled, as somebody who knows you and loves you, at your strength. You coming back here and leading this ship, which I know has not been easy,” Bush Hager stated. “And yet, here you are, morning after morning, getting out of bed, spending the mornings with us. And I know so many of you at home feel the same way about you.”
Savannah previously took two months off from Today after her mother, Nancy Guthrie, was reported missing from her Tucson, Arizona, home in February. Authorities are continuing to investigate Nancy’s disappearance, while Savannah and her family have offered a reward of up to $1 million in exchange for information about Nancy’s whereabouts. Savannah returned to the Today anchor desk on April 6.
“First of all, I can’t really look at you every day without crying. You are my best friend. And, you know, it’s really hard to come back, and I’ve been trying so hard to hold it together, and I promise I will. This show and this hour, especially, is about joy,” Savannah told Bush Hager. “But having you and everyone, people behind the scenes, people in my ear, the producers, our castmates — when I see you in the morning, I know that you see me, no matter what is going on. And sometimes, that’s almost too much because I feel like to do the job, I gotta keep it together, pull it together.”
She continued, “I’m happy to be back, and it’s like the two hours of my day that — it’s not that I’m not thinking about it, because I am. But it’s something to do, and it brings me a lot of joy to be with everybody. But no, it’s not easy.”
Both Bush Hager and Savannah described the Today cast and crew as a “family,” and Savannah noted that she may not have come back if not for how close the Today set is. “I know maybe people wonder, like, ‘What’s going on? How is she able to do that job? Is she not thinking about it? Did she forget?’ No. Never,” she declared.
Bush Hager said, “We’ll have your back. We’ll be with you forever with this, and never forget.” Savannah added, “And we still need everybody’s prayers and still wish someone would call and say what they know.”
Savannah went on to describe her mindset by sharing a sermon she recently read. “There’s a time in life when just walking and not growing faint is about as good as it can get. And that’s what I feel like I’m doing, I’m trying to walk and not grow faint, and it’s a gift from God that I’m able to do so. But it’s always with me,” she stated. “I cry every morning on the way to work, and I cry every morning on the way home. And I’m grateful to have good friends and to be able to come to such a beautiful and joyous and supportive place.”
NBC
Savannah wrapped up the emotional discussion by stating that she and others going through hard times can “hold all of these things together.” She explained, “I try to tell my kids that, too. We can hold our sadness and we can hold our joy, and if you don’t believe it, just watch me. I’m gonna show you.” (Savannah shares her daughter, Vale, and son, Charley, with her husband, Michael Feldman.)
Today With Jenna & Sheinelle, Weekdays, 10 am, NBC
SHOWDOWN ON THE FIVE: Jessica Tarlov Drops Truth Bomb on GOP’s Controversial Voter Legislation
SHOWDOWN ON THE FIVE: Jessica Tarlov Drops Truth Bomb on GOP’s Controversial Voter Legislation
WASHINGTON — A ferocious battle over the soul of American democracy erupted on cable news this week, proving once again that the clash over election integrity is reaching a boiling point.
During a high-stakes segment on Fox News' top-rated program The Five, liberal co-host Jessica Tarlov ignited an intense firestorm by sounding the alarm on the Republican-backed SAVE Act (Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act).
Her warning was sharp, direct, and unapologetic: This isn't just a simple Voter ID bill—it’s a bureaucratic roadblock designed to keep millions of legal Americans away from the ballot box.
"Far Beyond Voter ID": Tarlov Sounds the Alarm
While GOP proponents frame the SAVE Act as a common-sense measure to restore trust in elections, Tarlov shredded that narrative live on air, dissecting the fine print of the proposed federal mandate.
Under the bill, anyone registering to vote in federal elections would be legally required to provide documentary proof of U.S. citizenship—such as a physical U.S. passport, a certified birth certificate, or naturalization papers.
"People hear 'Voter ID' and think it’s just showing a driver's license at the counter," Tarlov argued. "It’s not. This bill demands physical proof of citizenship upfront. Millions of everyday, hard-working American citizens do not have a valid passport sitting in a drawer or immediate access to an official birth certificate. This creates an artificial barrier to a fundamental constitutional right." without instant paperwork access.
Integrity Guardrail or Voter Suppression? The Great Debate
The fiery television debate reflects a massive political rift tearing through Capitol Hill and statehouses across the country.
The Conservative Defense: Republican sponsors and conservative commentators insist the measure is vital to national security and sovereign elections. They argue that verifying citizenship at registration is a necessary safeguard to prevent non-citizens from ever slipping onto federal voter rolls.
The Progressive Pushback: Critics like Tarlov argue that non-citizen voting in federal elections is already illegal, strictly policed, and exceptionally rare. Opponents caution that adding heavy administrative hurdles will unintentionally disenfranchise lawful voters—particularly students, low-income citizens, rural voters, and women whose names have changed due to marriage.
The Stakes Couldn't Be Higher
As the debate over voter access versus election security intensifies, the SAVE Act has turned into a major political litmus test.
Is requiring physical proof of citizenship a mandatory protection to guarantee that every vote is lawful? Or is it an unnecessary, red-tape nightmare that punishes legal citizens for not having their paperwork in order?
One thing is certain: as long as voices like Jessica Tarlov continue to push back on prime-time television, the fight over who gets to vote—and how hard it is to do so—is far from over.
Jessica Tarlov Says Trump Has 35% Approval Rating in Most Polls
Supporters of the bill strongly disagree, saying it is designed to protect election integrity by preventing non-citizens from registering to vote. Opponents argue the existing safeguards are already sufficient and fear the measure could unintentionally disenfranchise lawful voters. Is the SAVE Act a necessary election safeguard, or does it create unnecessary barriers to voting?
Jessica Tarlov Suspended Indefinitely After Allegedly Assaulting Fox News Crew Member
Jessica Tarlov Suspended Indefinitely After Allegedly Assaulting Fox News Crew Member
NEW YORK — The set of Fox News’ hit show The Five has seen its fair share of heated shouting matches, but what went down behind the scenes this week turned a political debate into an outright crime scene.
In a shocking move that has sent shockwaves through Manhattan media circles, network executives have suspended co-host Jessica Tarlov indefinitely following an alleged physical assault on a crew member during a commercial break.
The reason for the explosive violent outburst? A camera operator made the fatal mistake of laughing out loud at one of her political talking points.
The Laugh That Triggered a Rampage
According to multiple insider accounts and studio witnesses, the situation escalated with terrifying speed. During a taped segment discussing presidential leadership, Tarlov aggressively defended President Joe Biden, passionately declaring him to be "one of the most alert and engaged presidents in American history."
While her conservative co-hosts on The Five usually counter her hot takes with eye-rolls and sharp rebuttals, it was an off-camera crew member who couldn't hold back.
A veteran camera operator reportedly chuckled out loud at the statement—a moment of candid disbelief that pushed Tarlov entirely over the edge.
"She just flew completely off the handle," one studio staffer revealed under the condition of anonymity. "Jessica has always been hyper-sensitive to pushback, but this was different. The moment she heard that laugh, her face changed. She lost control, lunged at the crew member, and turned physically aggressive. It took two floor managers to pull her off."
Fox News Responds: A Mandatory "Cooling-Off" Period
Network executives acted swiftly to control the fallout. Within hours of the incident, Tarlov was escorted from the building and informed of her immediate, indefinite suspension.
While the network hasn't closed the door permanently—noting they will consider a formal appeal at a later date—the consensus inside the building is clear: She is out for the foreseeable future.
In a internal memo, management framed the suspension as a mandatory "cooling-off period" to review safety protocols and investigate the physical altercation. However, staff members say the atmosphere on set remains deeply rattled.
Beyond Political Delusion: When Rhetoric Turns Violent
Political commentators across social media were quick to seize on the scandal. For years, Tarlov served as the resident liberal voice on The Five, regularly taking fire from a panel of staunch conservatives. But critics argue that defending the indefensible finally broke her composure.
To many viewers, claiming Biden was "sharp and alert" in 2024 or 2025 was already seen as an exercise in extreme political bias—but resorting to physical violence when called out on it marks a dangerous new low.
"This isn't just about partisan bias anymore," noted one media analyst following the story. "When a commentator becomes so consumed by political delusion that a simple chuckle triggers a physical assault, you've crossed a line from political debate into total instability."
What’s Next for The Five?
As Fox News searches for a temporary replacement to fill the liberal chair, the network faces intense scrutiny over workplace safety and on-set decorum.
Will Jessica Tarlov ever walk back onto the set of The Five, or has the "token leftist" finally burned her last bridge in cable news?
This story is actively developing. Scroll down to view real-time updates, legal analysis of the alleged assault, and reaction clips from around the media world!
