Jenna Bush Hager recently recounted an instance where an unnamed colleague on the "Today" show suggested her hiring was influenced by her father, former U.S. President George W. Bush. The remark was made within a month or two of her starting the job, she divulged on "Today with Jenna & Sheinelle."
Hager acknowledged the privilege associated with her family's public profile, stating that she "wouldn't have been given the opportunity" to appear on the show if her parents were not public figures. She also noted that she wrote a book with her mother, Laura Bush, which led to guest hosting opportunities on "Today."
"We just thought they hired you because of your dad," Hager recalled the correspondent saying. She added that she feels fortunate to be in her position and that she "felt like [she] needed to prove [herself]" due to her parents' status.
Before joining "Today" as a correspondent in 2009, Hager worked as a teacher for several years. She initially declined the show's offer to work there, choosing to continue her teaching career before eventually accepting the interview.
She became a co-host of "Today with Jenna & Hoda" in 2019, and following Hoda Kotb's departure from that program, Hager was joined by Willie Geist as her permanent co-host. Hager has also shared in the past that her father often "harasses" her when she attempts to interview him, making jokes.