Hoda Kotb and Jenna Bush Hager’s Emotional Texas Trip: A Farewell and a Walk Down Memory Lane

TODAY co-hosts Hoda Kotb and Jenna Bush Hager recently embarked on a heartfelt trip to Texas, a journey that was both a reunion with Bush Hager’s roots and a bittersweet farewell as Kotb prepares to leave the show. The visit was marked by a series of emotional and celebratory moments, particularly at Austin High School, where Bush Hager attended high school.

The school welcomed the duo with a full pep rally, complete with cheerleaders, dancers, a marching band, and custom ribbons. During the event, Bush Hager was presented with the inaugural Loyal Forever Award, honoring her dedication to books and education. This moment was especially poignant for Bush Hager, who described the experience as “so weirdly emotional, I couldn’t stand it.”

Beyond the school visit, the friends explored other aspects of Austin, including a visit to the University of Texas at Austin, where they tried their hand at cheerleading. They also stopped at local landmarks such as a taco stand and the Johnny Cash-themed bar Mean Eyed Cat. Bush Hager reflected on her past, joking about her party girl days during her college years, including an incident where she was caught using her sorority sister’s ID to get into a bar.

This trip is significant as it marks one of the last times Kotb and Bush Hager will be together as co-hosts of TODAY. Kotb has announced her departure from the show, a decision she has been contemplating for some time. In a recent interview, Kotb discussed the internal struggle she faced in making this decision, weighing the comfort and security of her current job against her desire to try something new and explore other passions.