Jenna Bush Hager Arrives Late to Today After Emotional Family Weekend in Maine

Jenna Bush Hager arrived late to Monday’s episode of Today after traveling home from Maine, where she attended the baptism of her nephew.

Bush Hager, who co-hosts the show’s fourth hour with Sheinelle Jones, missed the earlier parts of the broadcast, including her usual “Morning Boost” segment. Savannah Guthrie filled in for her.

During the fourth hour, Jones joked that several staff members had been asking where Bush Hager was and whether she would make it to the show.

Bush Hager explained that she had been in Maine with her family for the baptism of her twin sister Barbara Pierce Bush’s 2-year-old son, Edward Finn Coyne. She became emotional while recalling the ceremony, where she read Mary Oliver’s poem “When I Am Among the Trees.”

Bush Hager said the event was especially meaningful because it took place at a church where she had attended services with her grandparents, former President George H. W. Bush and former first lady Barbara Bush. She also said her own children had been baptized there.

“It was so fun to have all the cousins together,” Bush Hager said.

She added that Today producers knew she was traveling and had approved her late arrival.

Bush Hager also missed Savannah Guthrie’s return to the show after Guthrie had been away filming a new Wordle game show. Guthrie’s recent absences have also come as her family continues searching for her mother, Nancy Guthrie, who has been missing for more than six months.

Bush Hager has previously praised Guthrie for speaking openly about her family’s ordeal and supporting others who have experienced heartbreak.