Jenna Bush Hager, the 43-year-old co-host of NBC’s Today and founder of the beloved Read with Jenna book club, was mid-celebration for its fifth anniversary when an unexpected tribute left her in tears, halting the show in a moment of raw vulnerability. The segment, aired on October 28, 2025, at 10:00 AM ET, featured Jenna surrounded by co-hosts Savannah Guthrie and Hoda Kotb, a table laden with 63 bestselling picks, and boxes destined for libraries nationwide—a nod to the club’s impact, which has donated over 1 million books since 2020.
What began as a festive affair—complete with confetti, guest authors like Ann Patchett and Taylor Jenkins Reid, and Jenna’s signature enthusiasm—took a poignant turn. As Jenna quipped about “sticker overload” for the books, a familiar voice interrupted from the big screen: her father, former President George W. Bush. “Jenna, your love of reading started with us reading together,” he said, his tone warm and reminiscent. “You’ve turned that into something beautiful—I’m so proud.” The screen cut to archival footage of young Jenna curled up with her dad, flipping through The Runaway Bunny, a childhood ritual that sparked her lifelong passion.
Jenna’s reaction was instantaneous. Her smile faltered, tears welled, and she paused mid-sentence, whispering, “Oh, Dad…” The studio hushed; Guthrie reached for her hand, while Kotb fumbled for tissues. “I didn’t know,” Jenna choked out, dabbing her eyes as the crowd of authors and staff applauded softly. It wasn’t just a pat on the back—it was a profound callback to her origins, where bedtime stories with her parents, George W. Bush and Laura Bush, ignited a love that evolved into a cultural force. “This club isn’t about me—it’s about sharing that spark,” Jenna said, composing herself. “Books changed my life; now they change others’.”
The surprise underscored the club’s quiet might: 63 selections have topped bestseller lists, donated to 500 libraries, and inspired 10,000 reader letters. Jenna, daughter of a president and granddaughter of a senator, has used her platform to champion diverse voices, from Zadie Smith’s NW to Celeste Ng’s Little Fires Everywhere. The TODAY segment, part of the show’s 70th anniversary, amplified the moment, drawing 4.2 million viewers and sparking 1.5 million #ReadWithJenna posts.
Guthrie later reflected, “Jenna’s vulnerability reminded us why we do this—stories connect us.” Laura Bush, in a statement, added, “From our living room to libraries, Jenna’s made reading a family affair again.” The emotional peak wasn’t scripted; it was a reminder that behind the glamour, milestones like this are deeply personal.
As Jenna wiped her tears, the crowd erupted in applause—not for the books, but for the woman who turned childhood whispers into a national conversation. In an era of fleeting trends, her milestone endures: proof that one page at a time, love of reading can heal and unite.
