Let’s face it, folks—sometimes the best moments on TV come from the most unexpected places. Hoda Kotb’s latest lighthearted tease at her Today cohost, Jenna Bush Hager, was one of those moments that left viewers either laughing or gasping in disbelief. It’s the kind of playful banter that makes live TV so much fun.
Hoda Kotb Tackles Jenna Bush Hager’s Bold Move
During a recent episode of Today, aired on Monday, April 29, Hoda Kotb—yes, the same Hoda Kotb who’s been bringing us joy for years—decided to take a playful jab at her fellow cohost, Jenna Bush Hager. Now, Jenna, who’s 42, has been married to Henry Hager since 2007, and the two have built an incredible life together, including raising their adorable kids Mila, Poppy, and Hal. But it turns out there’s a little more to the story of how they got together.
The Story Behind Jenna’s Proposal
Hoda playfully reminded Jenna that she was the one who made the first move. For context, Jenna met Henry way back in 2004 during her father, President George W. Bush’s reelection campaign. That’s where their story began, and it’s safe to say it’s been quite the journey since then. Hoda couldn’t resist poking fun at Jenna for proposing to Henry early in their relationship.
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Hoda leaned in and quipped, “You made the first move, so he didn’t have to, right?” Jenna, ever the good sport, laughed and admitted, “No, I didn’t really make the first move but kind of… I mean, it was clear.”
Hoda kept going, saying, “But you know what I love about you? When you like something or want something, you say it. You don’t hide it or try to be coy. You just go for it.” Jenna chuckled and responded, “Yes, but I did hold back a little bit and kept my options open.”
Hoda’s Playful Roast Intensifies
At this point, Hoda gave Jenna one of those looks that says, “Oh, come on now.” Jenna, clearly flustered, blurted out, “Don’t give me that look!” And that’s when Hoda decided to really stir things up. “You did not! You practically proposed to him on date three!” Hoda exclaimed, leaving the audience in stitches.
Jenna, always game for a laugh, explained that she had fallen head over heels for Henry right from the start. “I think you’ve got to play it… I know that’s an annoying thing, but if you act like you’re all crazy about somebody, it can backfire. If I had proposed on date one, that might have been too much,” she joked, bringing the house down.
Hoda kept the laughs coming with another gem: “But they say the trick is to move in a quarter of the way and let him come three-quarters, then you hold your one-quarter.” Jenna, unfazed, shot back, “Well, I didn’t hold it! I came all in!”
Jenna’s Bold Proposal Story
Jenna has shared this story many times over the years. Back in August 2023, during another episode of Today, she recounted the moment she proposed to Henry after enjoying a few cocktails. “I was 22 years old, my sister Barbara was standing with us, and we were dancing. She just started shuffling backward, like, ‘What is happening here?’ We’d only been dating for three months. He told me he loved me, and I said, ‘Me too! Let’s get married!’”
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Of course, things worked out beautifully for Jenna and Henry. They officially got engaged in 2007 and tied the knot at the Bush family’s Prairie Chapel Ranch in Crawford, Texas. Their love story continues to inspire, and their family keeps growing stronger with each passing year.
