Jenna Bush Hager’s Daughter Drops Bombshell on ‘Today’ Show: Is the Anchor’s 16-Year Run Coming to an End?

In a jaw-dropping moment on NBC’s Today show, Jenna Bush Hager’s 11-year-old daughter, Mila, stole the spotlight on Monday, September 8, in a rare appearance that has fans buzzing with speculation.

The heartwarming segment about kids ditching smartphones for landlines took an unexpected turn, as whispers of major family news could signal a seismic shift for Bush Hager’s future on the program she’s called home for 16 years. Could this be the beginning of the end for the beloved anchor’s reign on morning television?

During the segment, Mila appeared in a pre-recorded video package, charmingly chatting about the growing trend of parents opting for landlines to keep their tweens connected without the dangers of smartphones. “Hold the phone! As a mom of tweens, a simple, safe, secure way to communicate with friends, sign me up,” Bush Hager’s voiceover enthused, setting the stage for Mila’s adorable commentary.

“A few of my friends started getting landline numbers. I don’t have a smartphone, so it’d be nice to be able to talk to them all week,” Mila shared, describing how she loves calling her pals to dish about back-to-school outfits. “Whenever my friends are free, I can call their numbers, and it’s really nice ’cause, yeah, I just like it a lot.”

Back in Studio 1A, Bush Hager couldn’t hide her mom pride, revealing she’s pushing to get more of Mila’s friends on the landline bandwagon. “When they FaceTime, they’re looking at themselves or the alerts come on,” she explained, highlighting the simplicity of old-school phone calls. “This just strips it down to the basics.”

Her Today co-stars were quick to jump on board. Al Roker praised the “politeness” landlines encourage, while Carson Daly noted the “etiquette” of kids learning to listen quietly when others speak. But behind the lighthearted segment, sources close to the show are whispering about bigger changes looming for Bush Hager, hinting that her family’s evolving priorities could reshape her role on Today.

Bush Hager, 44, has been a staple of the Today show since 2009, winning over audiences with her warm demeanor and sharp journalistic skills. But the demands of her high-profile gig have always been balanced against her devotion to her family—husband Henry Hager and their two children, Mila, 11, and Poppy, 9.

While Bush Hager frequently sprinkles anecdotes about her kids into her on-air banter, Mila and Poppy have rarely appeared on the show, making Mila’s recent cameo all the more significant. Insiders suggest that Mila’s growing presence could be a clue that Bush Hager is contemplating a major life change—one that might see her step back from the daily grind of morning TV to focus on her family. Earlier this year, Mila made another rare appearance, sitting down with her mom for a prerecorded interview about Bush Hager’s children’s book, Love Comes First.

The tender moment saw Mila shine as she discussed her favorite chapter, which compares a mother’s love for her child to God’s love for humanity. “For parents, for grown-ups, we understand how much we love our kids,” Bush Hager explained to Mila during the segment.

“We have that perspective, and when we think about that—and then, we imagine, ‘Wow, that’s how God could feel about me.’ But when you’re a kid, you don’t know yet what it’s like to be a parent. You just know what it’s like to be a child. So, I think, what I’d say is, the metaphor works both ways.” The interview ended with a heart-melting hug, as Bush Hager gushed, “I love you, honey. That was perfect.”

Poppy, meanwhile, played a behind-the-scenes role, helping produce the segment. “Poppy produced and Mila asked the questions, and I was really proud and it was super sweet,” Bush Hager beamed to her Today colleagues after the clip aired.

But while the moment was a proud one for the Hager clan, it’s sparked speculation that Jenna may be grooming her kids to step into the spotlight as she considers scaling back her demanding schedule. “Jenna’s always been open about how much her family means to her,” a source close to the anchor revealed. “Mila and Poppy are getting older, and she doesn’t want to miss these precious years.

The landline segment and Mila’s appearances feel like a way to bridge her work and family life, but it’s got people wondering if she’s preparing to ease out of Today for good.” The rumor mill is churning with talk that Bush Hager could be eyeing a reduced role or even a full exit from Today to prioritize her family and personal projects, like her burgeoning career as a children’s book author.

Her faith-driven book has already struck a chord with fans, and Mila’s involvement in promoting it suggests the family is tighter than ever. “Jenna’s at a crossroads,” the insider continued. “She loves Today, but the early mornings and relentless pace are tough. She’s thinking about what’s next—maybe more writing, more time with Mila and Poppy, or even a new venture that lets her stay closer to home.”

For now, Bush Hager remains a fixture on Today, but Mila’s rare appearances have fans and insiders alike wondering if change is on the horizon. Will Jenna Bush Hager trade her anchor chair for more family time? Only time will tell, but one thing’s clear: whatever she chooses, her kids will be at the heart of it.

As the Today show continues to evolve, viewers are left watching closely, wondering if this beloved anchor’s days in Studio 1A are numbered.