Inside Jenna Bush Hager’s Quest for a New ‘Today’ Cohost: ‘Willie Geist Keeps Getting Mentioned’

Jenna Bush Hager will be getting a new cohost on the fourth hour slot of Today, which she currently cohosts with Hoda Kotb — and a source says it’s been a painstaking hiring process as producers go all out to keep morale high and avoid plunging ratings in the process.

“They want Jenna to stick around long term and to have a cohost that she enjoys working with, so they’re going to give her a lot of say in who they hire,” an insider exclusively tells Closer. “But of course, the most important thing is going to be pleasing the viewers, that’s why they’ve opted to start off by testing out different cohosts for her. They want to see the chemistry and the ratings, that’s going to really be the deciding factor.”

The source says there are “some frontrunners based on who’s really gelled well with Jenna in the past.”

“Willie Geist is a name that keeps getting mentioned, he and Jenna get along great, he has a proven track record and the fans seem to love him,” the insider reveals. “Michelle Buteau is another person that the bosses are very keen on giving a chance to and the word is she’ll be getting a chance to cohost and show her stuff, as well as Justin Sylvester and Michelle Collins.”

Hoda, 60, announced on September 26 that she would be leaving Today in January 2025. Craig Melvin was chosen as her replacement for the early morning hours of Today as Savannah Guthrie‘s coanchor. NBC also shared that Today With Hoda & Jenna would be renamed Today With Jenna & Friends with a rotating panel of guest cohosts until the former first daughter finds her permanent cohost.

“The network bosses have said they’re going to take their time with making this decision but they’re not going to let it drag on too long because there’s a risk that it could turn people off so they’re definitely walking a tight rope with this,” the insider maintains.

A separate insider opened up to Closer earlier this month about others who were in the running to become Jenna’s official cohost.

“Everyone from Sheinelle Jones, who’s already a cohost on the show’s earlier hours, to E’s Justin Sylvester and actress and comedian Heather McMahan have come up,” the second insider said. “It may be someone nobody expects, which could be good and shake things up.”

“Fortunately, Jenna will have some input in that choice, but the big bosses will make the final decision,” they added. “At this point, it’s still anyone’s guess.”

Jenna, 43, began cohosting Today With Hoda & Jenna in 2019, and was visibly emotional when Hoda revealed she would be leaving the program.

“Hoda told me just a couple days ago, and when she told me, my first reaction, it was, from my gut, it was almost crazy,” Jenna said. “I said, ‘No, you can’t leave because what we have here with all of these people.’ What I get to sit next to you and feel is this, it’s what’s between us, and it is magical and powerful, and it feels like that here.”