The glitzy world of morning television is no stranger to drama, but few stories have sparked as much intrigue as the rumored behind-the-scenes clashes between Savannah Guthrie, Megyn Kelly, and Matt Lauer during their time at NBC’s Today show. Whispers of power struggles, secret dinners, and cutthroat rivalries have swirled for years, painting a picture of a high-stakes battle for the anchor chair that left fans buzzing with curiosity. As the dust settled, it was Guthrie who emerged victorious, outmaneuvering her formidable rivals to secure her spot as Today’s leading lady. Here’s the juicy scoop on how it all went down.

When Megyn Kelly arrived at NBC in early 2017 with a jaw-dropping $15–20 million contract, the Today show’s carefully curated harmony was thrown into chaos. Fresh off her Fox News tenure, Kelly was slotted into the 9 a.m. hour, a move that sent shockwaves through the network’s tight-knit team. Insiders whispered that Kelly wasn’t just there to host Megyn Kelly Today—she was gunning for the top spot, potentially displacing Guthrie, who had been co-anchoring the flagship 7–9 a.m. slot alongside Matt Lauer since 2012. Guthrie, fresh off maternity leave and a lucrative contract renewal, reportedly felt the heat. Sources claimed she was “terrified” of being sidelined, with NBC executives allegedly eyeing Kelly as the “star” to lead the show into a new era. The tension was palpable, and Guthrie wasn’t about to let her hard-earned seat slip away.

The drama reached a boiling point in May 2017, when Kelly and Lauer were spotted at a clandestine dinner in New York City, conspicuously without Guthrie or other Today stalwarts like Al Roker or Hoda Kotb. The exclusive meetup was described as “shady” by insiders, who said it left Guthrie reeling. “She thought she and Matt were a team,” a source close to her revealed. “That dinner made her feel like they were plotting behind her back.” The snub fueled Guthrie’s paranoia that Kelly and Lauer were forming an alliance to push her out, with Kelly’s ambitions for the anchor chair becoming an open secret. “Megyn was seen as the future,” another insider dished. “Savannah was fighting to hold her ground.”

Kelly’s tenure, however, was anything but smooth. Her 9 a.m. show struggled with low ratings, and her controversial interviews—like those with Alex Jones and Vladimir Putin—drew fierce criticism. Even Lauer, initially cozy with Kelly, reportedly grew “incensed” by her pre-Today antics, feeling they tarnished the show’s wholesome image. The atmosphere grew toxic, with the National Association of Black Journalists demanding answers after Tamron Hall’s abrupt exit from the 9 a.m. slot, reportedly unwilling to share the stage with Kelly. By October 2018, Kelly’s fate was sealed when she sparked outrage with comments defending blackface in Halloween costumes, leading to her show’s cancellation and her exit from NBC. Guthrie, meanwhile, kept her cool on air, her polished smile masking the reported chaos backstage.

If Kelly’s departure was a slow burn, Matt Lauer’s exit was an earthquake. In November 2017, NBC fired Lauer overnight amid allegations of “inappropriate sexual behavior,” including harrowing accounts of harassment and assault detailed in Ronan Farrow’s 2019 book Catch and Kill. Guthrie, who had co-anchored with Lauer for five years, was blindsided. On November 29, 2017, she delivered the bombshell news live on air, her voice trembling as she called the allegations “shocking and appalling.” While she expressed heartbreak for her “dear friend” Lauer and his victims, behind the scenes, the fallout was brutal. Sources say Lauer felt “betrayed” by Guthrie’s swift public condemnation, believing she owed him loyalty after their long partnership. “Matt thought Savannah should’ve had his back,” an insider spilled. “She cut him off completely—no calls, no texts.”

The rift deepened over time. By 2020, sources claimed Guthrie refused to be in the same room as Lauer, their once-close friendship shattered. A rare encounter at a 2023 wedding for former Today producer Jen Long underscored the lingering tension. Guthrie, hesitant to attend knowing Lauer would be there, gave him a brief hug and polite small talk, but insiders described the moment as “awkward” and “frosty.” Lauer, now living quietly with girlfriend Shamin Abas, has faded from the spotlight, while Guthrie’s star continues to rise.

So, how did Savannah Guthrie outlast her rivals? Sources say it was a mix of strategic composure and unwavering professionalism. While Kelly’s brash style alienated colleagues and viewers, Guthrie played the long game, maintaining her likability and work ethic. When Lauer’s scandal broke, she distanced herself decisively, aligning with NBC’s #MeToo-era reckoning while preserving her reputation. “Savannah knew how to navigate the storm,” a source noted. “She stayed above the fray and let her work speak for itself.” Paired with Hoda Kotb, Guthrie has since solidified Today as a ratings juggernaut, proving her staying power.

Yet, the whispers of backstage battles linger, with fans dissecting every detail of Today’s turbulent past. Did Guthrie orchestrate a master plan to outmaneuver Kelly and Lauer, or was she simply the last one standing in a chaotic era? The truth remains elusive, but one thing’s clear: Savannah Guthrie’s resilience has kept her in the anchor chair, while her rivals faded into obscurity. And viewers can’t stop buzzing about what really went down in those high-stakes Today show showdowns.