Jenna Bush Hager Reportedly 'Livid' The Today Show Has Not Announced She Is Kathie Lee Gifford's Replacement

Source: People

Jenna Bush Hager might be having doubts about landing Kathie Lee Gifford’s old post on Today. Producers have already announced Megyn Kelly’s replacement, but they have not commented on who will take Gifford’s time slot – which is not sitting well with Bush.

Inside sources claim that Bush is getting angry because the show has not announced her as the newest host on Today. Bush has plenty of contacts on the show, including Hoda Kotb and Savannah Guthrie, but she cannot figure out why the announcement is being delayed.

Kathie Lee Gifford Opens Up About Finding Love After Her Husband's Death https://t.co/mmScgmY5r1

— Reggie Banks, Sr. (@blkberrycastle) January 24, 2019

“Bush is pushing Hoda to put pressure on the bosses to give her the job,” a source revealed. “Bush is also very close with Savannah [Guthrie] and cannot understand why she doesn’t have this job yet.”

Although she has the right connections, producers are reportedly thinking about picking someone with better credentials. The source told Radar Online that executives believe there are better options on the market and will only give Bush the job if they fail to find someone better.

Gifford shocked fans in early January when she announced her retirement from Today to focus on other projects. Although it sounded like it was Gifford’s decision to leave, sources claim that NBC brass forced her out.

After 11 years on the hit show, executives were allegedly bored with Gifford and believed a younger host would help boost ratings. They are reportedly looking for someone akin to Craig Melvin, who has been a smash with the younger audience.

Bush has not commented on the rumors surrounding Gifford’s old post. She recently enjoyed an outing with Guthrie and Carson Daly’s spouse, Siri, and shared pictures from the outing on social media. Bush may be angry about the announcement, but she didn’t show any signs of it during the vacation.

Bush developed a close bond with Guthrie during her father’s presidency. When she married Henry Hager, Guthrie was assigned to cover the ceremony, and the two have been close friends ever since.

Although Guthrie would probably like nothing more than to see Jenna Bush Hager get the job, she has not commented on who is in the running for the spot.