HODA HERE TODAY, NICOLLE TOMORROW?
Savannah & Jenna cabal conjure up cast changes
TODAY show backstabbers Savannah Guthrie and Jenna Bush Hager are conspiring to oust co-host Hoda Kotb — and may have already lined up her replacement, say network insiders.
Hoda’s recent absence from the show on the same day Savannah returned from vacation got tongues wagging that their ongoing feud hit critical mass. Viewers even took to social media to complain.
“Why are these network executives allowing this silly feud between Savannah and Hoda and letting them work alternate days because they can’t get along?” asks one outraged viewer.
As The National ENQUIRER first reported, the two women have clashed since disgraced Matt Lauer was booted from the show due to sexual abuse allegations in 2017.
Although Savannah, 50, and Hoda, 58, engage in friendly banter on-camera, a source says it’s all an act as they not so secretly “can’t stand each other.”
“Savannah runs the show,” reveals the behind-the-scenes spy. “Hoda’s been pushed to the side.”
After Lauer was kicked to the curb, the insider says former White House correspondent Savannah made a big push to take the reins on the show, trying to convince producers Hoda was a lightweight who couldn’t be counted on to cover hard news.
The insider insists Savannah also blocked efforts to have Hoda’s BFF and former co-host Kathie Lee Gifford return to the show and instead pushed to
elevate Jenna’s status. “Jenna is Savannah’s closest ally,” snitches another mole. “There was no way Savannah was going to let Kathie Lee back to team up with Hoda against her!”
Former first daughter
Jenna, 40, saw an opening and aligned herself with Savannah, according to sources.
“Jenna’s a master at playing the game,” dishes the network insider.
Meanwhile, sources have gotten word the two are plotting to lure MSNBC anchor and Savannah’s best pal Nicolle Wallace to the Today set — possibly to replace hapless Hoda.
“Nicolle and Savannah are old friends from their days together in Washington, and it was Jenna’s father, President George W. Bush, who’d hired Nicolle as communications director at the White House,” spills the source. “The three of them couldn’t be tighter.”
And that would work out fine for Nicolle, 50.
“Nicolle turned down Rachel Maddow’s MSNBC prime-time gig because she wanted to be at home for her young son,” notes the source. “Today show hours and being surrounded by her best buddies make it a perfect landing spot for her!”