


Jenna Bush Hager addressed her “Today” co-anchor Hoda Kotb’s mysterious absence after the show revealed the veteran journalist is dealing with a “family health matter.”
“Willie [Geist] is in for Hoda, and we just want to let you all know that we heard you, and Hoda is OK,” Bush Hager told viewers at the top of “Today with Hoda & Jenna” Wednesday.
“She just has a family health matter she is dealing with,” the author added.
Bush Hager, 41, and Geist, 47, both emphasized that they “love” and “adore” Kotb, 58, and look forward to her return to work.
“Today” first addressed Kotb’s nearly two-week absence from both of her usual slots on the NBC morning show and its fourth hour earlier Wednesday, around 7:30 a.m. ET.
“We know a lot of you have been wondering how she’s doing. We can tell you that Hoda is OK, [but] she’s got a family health matter that she’s been dealing with,” the “Today 3rd Hour” co-host Craig Melvin, who has been filling in for Kotb on “Today,” announced.
Melvin emphasized that they “look forward to seeing Hoda and Savannah [Guthrie] back here at the desk very very soon” – referring to Guthrie suddenly leaving Tuesday’s live show mid-broadcast upon learning she had tested positive for COVID-19.
“We love you both,” Al Roker concluded while giving an air kiss to the camera.
Several fans have expressed their concern for the “Today” show staple after she hadn’t appeared on a live show since Feb. 17.