Matt Lauer Congratulates Hoda Kotb After She's Announced as His Replacement on "Today"
The former "Today" anchor only had nice things to say.
Despite being fired overnight over allegations of "inappropriate sexual behavior," Matt Lauer has only nice things to say to his successor Hoda Kotb.
"I did hear from him, yeah, he texted me and he said congratulations and some really nice words, and it meant the world when I saw the text pop up," Kotb told Entertainment Tonight. "My heart just went like, you know, it meant the world to see that."
NBC announced Kotb as Lauer's official replacement Tuesday, and although the new Today show co-anchor said she has been in touch with her predecessor, she admits she is still reconciling how to have a relationship with her former colleague.
"You know, Matt is our good friend and continues to be, and I think for both [Savannah Guthrie and I], we've just been trying to navigate this time and honor our love and friendship with Matt, but also understand and try to learn more about these circumstances," Kotb told ET. "So, it's complicated when you are surprised by revelations, but you still care deeply for somebody who's a friend. I think for all of us, we've just been trying to navigate through that, with straightforwardness and honesty and integrity."
Lauer may have been in communication with Kotb in private, but Guthrie said she doubts that he would do an interview about the scandal on Today anytime soon. "I don't know if he would want to do that but, I mean, I don't know where he would," she said. "I think his heart and his focus is on his family."
In an interview with People, Kotb and Guthrie shared how heartbroken they were on the morning of November 29 when they had to announce to millions of viewers that Lauer would not be returning. "That day, I don't think any of us will forget," Kotb said. "I think you could see from the moment that the news happened that our hearts were broken, and in lots of ways, they still are," Guthrie added.
However, the new co-anchors are now looking to the future with optimism and excitement over their new partnership. "This has to be the most popular decision NBC News has ever made, and I am so thrilled," Guthrie said on Tuesday's broadcast. "Hoda, you are a partner, and a friend, and a sister, and I am so happy to be doing this."
Today correspondents Willie Geist and Carson Daly also congratulated Kotb on Twitter.