Hoda Kotb, Jenna Bush Hager Offer Strong Take on Chiefs Kicker Harrison Butker Controversy
Hoda Kotb and Jenna Bush Hager on set of 'Today with Hoda and Jenna.'
Hoda Kotb and Jenna Bush Hager are sharing their unfiltered opinions of Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker's controversial commencement speech at Benedictine College.
The Today With Hoda & Jenna personalities briefly ranted on the subject during a recent episode of their morning talk show and in a subsequent montage uploaded to the series' official Instagram page on Thursday, May 16.
"I am where I am today because I have a husband who leans into his vocation, which is being an equal partner," Bush Hager began. "And I tell him that all the time."
"But also, who is he to tell us?" the 42-year-old author and broadcaster said of the sentiment shared in Butker's now-infamous speech.
"Don't speak for us," Kotb chimed in, noting, "I think that's kind of the thing."
The mom of two and longtime Today show host continued, "Stop speaking for women out there."
Though that would've been a good place to end the convo, the duo continued to come down on the NFL star's statements, which have since been deemed bigoted, misogynistic, sexist, homophobic, and more by many.
"We have all of the people who try to divide us by labels," Bush Hager explained. "Like, people that stay at home are amazing. The work they do is incredible. And, let's not compare one to the other."
"And there are lots of women who actually would like to stay at home, but because they need to raise, earn money, they don't even have that privilege to do it," Kotb, 59, interjected.
"I just think divisive commentary that makes women feel like they are better doing one thing than the other is not what we need," Bush Hager added.
Kotb agreed, telling the audience, "Women get to decide what they want to do." She also previously "shaded" the 28-year-old football pro's problematic speech in a separate post uploaded to her personal Instagram page.
"And by the way, none of the choices are easy. Did we learn nothing from America Ferrera's monologue in Barbie," Bush Hager quipped. "It is so hard to be a woman."
"He [Butker] hasn't had the opportunity to do that yet, so maybe when he comes back in his next life, he can give us a commencement speech about how we can live," she concluded.
Since the speech went viral, many high-profile figures have addressed Butker's comments, including entire football teams as well as the NFL league, with a rep telling reporters: “Harrison Butker gave a speech in his personal capacity. His views are not those of the NFL as an organization. The NFL is steadfast in our commitment to inclusion, which only makes our league stronger.”