Jenna Bush Hager's On-Air Confrontation: 'Donna, Why Didn't You Answer My Calls?'
SHOCKING CELEBRITY FEUD ROCKS TODAY SHOW
In a jaw-dropping moment that left viewers gasping, Jenna Bush Hager clashed with her Today show co-host Donna Farizan on live television during their pre-recorded episode this week. The 43-year-old presenter seized the opportunity to confront her friend about ignoring her phone calls while discussing why Gen Zs tend to avoid speaking on the phone.
The tension was palpable as Jenna playfully yet firmly called out Donna for not responding to her call, saying: "It's interesting because it is a generational thing," Donna had said before confessing: "I sometimes don't like to talk on the phone." Taking a sly jab at her friend, Jenna shot back: "That's why you didn't answer when I called you the other day."
The room erupted into laughter as Donna seemed taken aback by Jenna's bold move. But the Today show host wasn't finished yet! She continued to tease her guest star, saying: "Y'all laugh like it's a joke but I called her, and she didn't answer." The awkward exchange left fans wondering if this was more than just a playful jab.
But the real twist came when Jenna turned on the charm, delivering a tongue-in-cheek PSA to younger audiences. "I just want to say if you're under a certain age and you write somebody an email and you think, 'Hey, why haven't they gotten me back' / Then you write them a text and they don't respond, guess what you can do?" she said with a smirk. "You can pick up a phone! You can call and say, 'Hey, just thinking about you, trying to call.' It doesn't all have to be on email or text."
Donna seemed taken aback by Jenna's sass but playfully defended herself: "There is truth to that. I love talking on the phone with you." But Jenna was having none of it! She jokingly snapped back: "Once you get on the phone with me, you like it; you dread it when you see me calling."
It seems this wasn't just a one-time slip-up for Donna. A source close to the show revealed that she's not the only guest co-host who's been on the receiving end of Jenna's playful jabs. "Donna is just one of many," they dished to The Scholarly Note. "Jenna loves pushing her guests out of their comfort zones and making them laugh."
The Today with Jenna and Friends experiment has been a resounding success since Hoda Kotb left the show in January. And it seems the rotating co-hosts are more than just a publicity stunt. E! anchor Justin Sylvester, actress Scarlett Johansson, and even Olympic figure skater Adam Rippon have all joined forces with Jenna to keep the Today show fresh.
But don't expect the new lineup to be permanent. Carson Daly revealed last week that the network plans to continue rotating through guest co-hosts – a decision that seems both convenient and costly. "We can't afford Scarlett Johansson," he candidly shared with Us Weekly, adding: "But she loves doing it." So, who will replace Hoda as a full-time co-host? Only time (and the Today show producers) will tell.
As for Jenna's spat with Donna, it seems they're still BFFs – at least on the surface. But one thing is certain: this wasn't your average, everyday chat between friends. It was pure drama, straight from the heart of New York City!