Jenna Bush Hager Admits Hoda Kotb Regifted a Bracelet to Her: 'This Isn't for Me'

Jenna Bush Hager Admits Hoda Kotb Regifted a Bracelet to Her: 'This Isn't for Me'OK! Staff Thu, November 12, 2026 at 11:40 AM UTC

Jenna Bush Hager poked fun at Hoda Kotb's present. BY: MEGA

Jenna Bush Hagerrevealed she accidentally found a surprise gift fromHoda Kotb that was meant for someone else.

During the November 10 episode of TODAY show, Hager interacted with her co-host Willie Geist and shared a funny story while talking about holiday gifts.

'Hey Hoda, This Isn't For Me, Bro!'

Bush Hager soon realized the git wasn't initially meant for her. BY: MEGA

Hager brought up the incident while talking about what happens when someone receives a gift they don't really like. She recalled that Kotb had given her a bracelet once, engraved with her daughter Haley's name and birthdate.

But there was one problem: the bracelet was actually a gift Kathie Lee Gifford had previously given to Hoda. Once Bush Hager found out where it came from, she couldn't help but laugh. Remembering her reaction, she said, "Hey Hoda, this isn't for me, bro!"

Additionally, Bush Hager didn't make a bog deal of the incident and instead chose to remember it as a lighthearted moment of gift-giving mishap.

Geist Calls Kotb's Gift 'Very Lazy'

Geist was quick to joke that Kotb's gift was pretty 'lazy,' which caused confusion. BY: MEGA

While Bush Hager was laughing over the mistakes, Geist grabbed the opportunity to tease her co-host. Reacting to Bush Hager's revelation, he joked about how easily Kotb could have spotted the bracelet's original dedication.

"Let's count the ways we love Hoda, but that's very lazy," Geist said.

"To not even look, and say, 'Oh this was mine!'" he continued.

The Bracelet Had a History Dating Back to Lee Gifford

Lee Gifford originally gave the bracelet to Kotb. BY: MEGA

The story actually goes back to Gifford, who used to work with Kotb on the fourth hour of TODAY before leaving the show in April 2019.

Bush Hager opened up about the same bracelet shortly after taking over Gifford's hosting position. "[Kathie Lee] left me a bracelet that says, 'Your joy is non-negotiable,'" Bush Hager shared in an interview withEntertainment Tonight.

"I can't believe I forgot. What is wrong with me!" she continued.

Notably, the same story was repeated in 2024, suggesting it ended up becoming a really memorable yet funny moment for the cast members who share a great bond.

Kotb's Returns to 'TODAY'

Kotb surprised viewers as a guest co-host in the show. BY: MEGA

The amusing revelation comes as Kotb has recently returned to the popular show as a guest co-host. Kotb and Bush Hager previously spent seven years hosting the show's hour together before Kotb departed in January 2025.

Kotb stepped in this week while Sheinelle Jones was absent.