On August 10, 2026, NBC’s “Today” co-host Jenna Bush Hager broke down in tears while describing her nephew’s baptism ceremony, which had taken her away from the morning broadcast hours earlier that day.
The 44-year-old co-host returned from Maine barely in time to appear on “Today with Jenna & Sheinelle,” the program’s fourth hour. She had been in Maine with her family for a religious ceremony for Edward Finn Coyne, her two-year-old nephew, at a church near Walker’s Point in Kennebunkport, and flew back that morning.
An Emotional Reading and a Twin Sister’s Milestone
Edward Finn is the child of Barbara Bush, Jenna’s twin sister, and Barbara’s husband, Craig Coyne. During the service, Jenna was tasked with reciting Mary Oliver’s poem “When I Am Among the Trees.” The combination of the family setting, the sacred occasion, and watching Barbara hold her toddler overwhelmed her.
Hager said, “There’s something sort of evolutionary about looking up and seeing your twin sister hold this big ol’ baby, and I couldn’t help it.” She confessed to being “kind of weepy” throughout the entire ceremony. When recounting the experience on air beside co-host Sheinelle Jones, she became emotional once more, asking aloud, “I mean, see, what is wrong?”
The baptism unfolded at a sanctuary that holds deep significance for the Bush family. Jenna’s three kids — Mila, Poppy, and Hal, all of whom have Henry Hager as their father — received the same sacrament in that church. Her late grandparents, former President George H.W. Bush and former First Lady Barbara Bush, worshiped there regularly during their summers at the Kennebunkport estate, a property that remains a family gathering spot. Jenna attended services there as a child and has now watched a new generation continue the tradition.
Where’s Jenna? Studio Colleagues Scramble
Her absence from the broadcast’s opening segments did not go unnoticed. Co-host Savannah Guthrie filled in to present “Jenna’s Morning Boost,” while Jones fielded repeated inquiries from anxious cast and crew. Jones said, “Everybody kept asking me … I mean, I’m not Jenna’s keeper. ‘Where’s Jenna? Sheinelle, where’s Jenna? Is Jenna gonna make it?’ I’m like, ‘Well, she didn’t text me, so that means it’s gonna be just fine.’”
The show’s leadership had approved her trip in advance, allowing her to miss “Pop Start” and other morning duties so she could attend the baptism and catch a flight back. Hager told viewers she was “straight off a flight,” adding that the show “let me miss the earlier hours.”
Cousins, Continuity and a Bush Family Reunion
The ceremony also served as a rare reunion, bringing all of the extended family’s children together. Jenna spoke warmly about seeing the cousins gathered in one place, an uncommon occurrence given everyone’s schedules and scattered locations. For her, the family reunion carried as much weight as the religious milestone itself.
Walker’s Point continues to serve as a hub for the Bush family. Jenna’s parents, former President George W. Bush and Laura Bush, still visit the compound regularly. Jenna herself has frequently referenced her Maine trips during her time on “Today,” and Edward Finn’s baptism added another layer to the property’s multigenerational significance.
Beyond the Fourth Hour
The baptism dash came during a period of expanding responsibilities for Hager. NBC ordered a pilot in January 2026 for “Protection,” a drama from “Gossip Girl” showrunner Josh Safran that Hager executive produces alongside Ben Spector, broadening her influence at the network beyond her on-air hosting work.
In a candid interview on August 12, she acknowledged the “nepo baby” label and admitted she deliberately takes on excessive work to demonstrate that her career achievements are earned rather than handed down. The admission offered insight into the punishing schedule she maintains — one that includes dashing from family sacraments straight back to live television.
