'Today' Co-host Jenna Bush Hager Breaks Down in Tears Over Daughter Poppy
Jenna Bush Hager broke down in tears on Today over her daughter, Poppy, while chatting with her co-host, Sheinelle Jones.
On Thursday, April 30, the former first daughter and mom of three unexpectedly became emotional during the NBC morning show, as seen in a clip posted by the Jenna & SheinelleInstagram account.
Bush Hager explained that she has been extra busy lately filming the pilot for her hopeful NBC drama series, Protection, among other major projects.
"I've been working a lot because this has been shooting, and I've had these big interviews and all the book stuff," she shared. "And so this morning when I woke up, I thought, ‘OK, the next couple weeks, the next couple months, it's, like, kid-focused.'"
Bush Hager continued, "I'm like, ‘How can I show up for Poppy in a way….'" before becoming visibly emotional. "Now I'm crying. I don't know what's wrong with me. It's because I haven't been able to…"
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After reaching over to hug her co-host, Jones said, "It's one of those things where we can't do it all at the same time." She then pointed out, "And also, you just had a whole mommy and me thing, and it was amazing."
"Yeah, but that wasn't with Poppy," Bush Hager said, to which Jones reassured her, "But she's coming."
"Should I lay?" Bush Hager asked, as she pretended to lie down on the table as if she were at a therapy session. That's when Sheinelle acknowledged, "You guys, we just had a moment collectively, but it's OK. We can't do it all at once."
To that, Bush Hager then quipped, "It may look like things are great, but things are falling apart."
In addition to Poppy, 10, she shares a daughter, Mila, 13, and a son, Hal, 6, with her husband, Henry Hager. Meanwhile, Jones has a son, Kayin, 16, and twins, Clara and Uche Jr., 13, whom she welcomed with her late husband, Uche Ojeh.
Next: Sheinelle Jones Marks Emotional First Since Husband Uche Died: "Can't Stop Crying"
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This story was originally published May 1, 2026 at 6:48 AM.