Megyn Kelly criticized NBC’s Today over an Instagram post saying ‘Nothing beats a mom hug’ while star anchor Savannah Guthrie’s mother remains missing.
Kelly, 55, highlighted Friday’s Instagram post on the official Today with Jenna & Sheinelle Instagram account.
It depicted host Sheinelle Jones hugging actress Adrienne Bailon-Houghton’s mother after interviewing Bailon-Houghton on the show.
The account said that Bailon-Houghton’s mother had comforted Jones after her husband Uche Ojeh died of cancer aged 49 in May 2025.
Many were sympathetic to Jones’s loss, but Kelly and some viewers found the timing unfortunate.
‘She is suffering quite clearly, and this is what her colleagues do? “Nothing beats a mom hug,”’ Kelly wrote on her blog.
Kelly questioned whether the post was a ‘despicable gaffe or an intentional move,’ while admitting she is ‘biased’ against Today and has ‘an ax to grind’ with the show after being ousted from it in 2018.
Other viewers raised concerns too.
Megyn Kelly led criticism of NBC’s Today show for an Instagram post saying ‘Nothing beats a mom hug’ while Savannah Guthrie’s mother remains missing
A clip was posted on the Today with Jenna & Sheinelle Instagram page which showed host Sheinelle Jones giving actress Adrienne Bailon-Houghton’s mother a hug during the segment
The caption underneath the video was branded inappropriate by some viewers
A commenter called nyc_bethany wrote under the post: ‘ I feel like this is a very poorly worded caption, given that Savannah’s mom is still missing.’
Bethany’s criticism was the most liked reply to the ‘Mom hug’ post, with 148 likes as of Saturday afternoon.
Another woman called Melissaatx replied: ‘I agree. Take the personal nature of this specific story out of it.
‘A mom in her 80’s is missing, possibly hurt or worse.
‘The world is bursting with positive stories.
‘To choose this caption .. right now.. is tone deaf and ultimately unkind to those affected. And those affected just happen to be members of the Today family.’
And Denise Tetrault Vincent said: ‘Not the time for this post with what poor Savannah is going through! We all love our mom’s love and support but save the post for another day.’
The Daily Mail has contacted NBC News for comment.
Savannah Guthrie released her own video on Friday – a short set of clips showing her with her mother as a child, finishing with a black and white photo of a young Nancy with her three children.
Nancy was last seen two weeks ago, on the evening of Saturday January 31, after son-in-law Tommaso Cioni drove her home after a family dinner in Tucson, Arizona.
The network’s post came on the heels of a heartfelt Instagram clip from Savannah Guthrie showing a much younger Nancy hugging her and her sister Annie, both smiling and dressed identically
Savannah Guthrie is pictured with her mother Nancy, who was last seen on the night of January 31
She was reported missing by her church friends the next morning.
Savannah has been absent from Today since and has shared three video messages pleading for her mother’s return.
Today has had the horrific abduction front and center since.
The hunt for Nancy has been its top story every morning, with the hosts making a point to send their love and best wishes to Savannah and her family.
On Friday night, Pima County Sheriff’s Office raided a house in Tucson, while the FBI conducted a traffic stop nearby.
Both were connected to Nancy’s abduction, but neither resulted in an arrest.
On Wednesday, February 10 the FBI released terrifying footage of a figure in a ski mask and black nitrile gloves arriving at Nancy’s door on the night of her disappearance.
Investigators say they have no suspects, with Nancy requiring heart medication to stay alive.
No arrests have been made and ransom notes sent earlier this month have not been verified.
