Megyn Kelly criticizes NBC Today show for Instagram post about mom hugs while Savannah Guthrie’s mother remains missing in Tucson Arizona

Megyn Kelly did not hold back on Friday when she called out NBC’s Today show over what she described as an astonishingly tone-deaf social media post.

The former NBC anchor zeroed in on an Instagram caption that read, “Nothing beats a mom hug,” published on the official Today with Jenna & Sheinelle account — at a moment when Today co-anchor Savannah Guthrie’s own mother remains missing.

Kelly, 55, wrote on her blog that she couldn’t believe the timing.

“She is suffering quite clearly, and this is what her colleagues do?” Kelly said, questioning whether the post was simply a “despicable gaffe” or something more deliberate.

She did acknowledge her long-running friction with the network, admitting she’s “biased” and still carries resentment after her 2018 exit from NBC following controversy over comments she made on air about blackface.

The Post That Sparked the Backlash

The Instagram upload showed host Sheinelle Jones hugging actress Adrienne Bailon-Houghton’s mother after the show interviewed Bailon-Houghton.

The caption explained that Bailon-Houghton’s mother had comforted Jones following the death of Jones’s husband, Uche Ojeh, who died of cancer at 49 in May 2025.

On its own, the sentiment was heartfelt. Jones has been open about her grief, and viewers have rallied around her in the months since her husband’s passing.

But critics argued that pairing that caption — about the irreplaceable comfort of a mother — with Savannah Guthrie’s ongoing family nightmare struck the wrong note.

Viewers Say the Timing Felt Off

Kelly wasn’t alone in her reaction. Several commenters under the post voiced concern.

One user wrote that the caption felt “very poorly worded” given that Savannah’s mother is still missing.

Another commenter pointed out that while the story itself was touching, choosing that particular wording “right now” came across as tone-deaf.

Others said they wished the show had waited.

“Not the time,” one viewer commented, adding that everyone understands the power of a mother’s support — but perhaps this wasn’t the moment to highlight it so prominently.

NBC News did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Savannah Guthrie’s Personal Nightmare

Meanwhile, Savannah Guthrie has been living through something unimaginable.

Her mother, Nancy, disappeared on the evening of January 31 in Tucson, Arizona.

She was last seen after a family dinner when her son-in-law, Tommaso Cioni, drove her home.

Church friends reported Nancy missing the next morning.

Since then, Savannah has stepped away from Today and has shared multiple emotional video messages pleading for her mother’s safe return.

One of her recent posts featured childhood photos and a black-and-white image of Nancy with her three children — a quiet but powerful reminder of what’s at stake.

Nancy reportedly requires heart medication, raising the urgency for investigators.

The Investigation Intensifies

The case has dominated Today’s broadcasts. Each morning, the show has opened with updates, and co-hosts have consistently expressed their support for Savannah and her family.

Earlier this week, the FBI released chilling footage showing a masked individual wearing black nitrile gloves approaching Nancy’s door on the night she vanished.

The Pima County Sheriff’s Office also conducted a raid at a Tucson home, while the FBI carried out a nearby traffic stop. Neither action resulted in arrests.

Authorities have confirmed that ransom notes were received earlier in the month, but investigators have not verified their authenticity. As of now, there are no named suspects.

The case has drawn national attention, not only because of Savannah’s prominence but because of the alarming details: an elderly woman, health vulnerabilities, and surveillance footage that suggests planning.

Kelly’s Complicated History With NBC

Megyn Kelly’s criticism carries its own backstory.

She joined NBC in 2017 after leaving Fox News in a highly publicized move.

Her tenure was short-lived, ending in 2018 after remarks about blackface Halloween costumes sparked backlash and led to the cancellation of Megyn Kelly Today.

Since then, Kelly has built a successful independent media presence, often criticizing mainstream outlets — NBC included.

That context adds another layer to her remarks, as even she admitted she may not be entirely neutral when it comes to her former employer.

Still, the broader question she raised — about sensitivity and timing — has resonated beyond her own audience.

What’s next?

Investigators continue to pursue leads in Tucson, with federal and local authorities working together.

The FBI is asking the public to review the released footage and report any tips.

Given Nancy’s medical condition, officials have emphasized the urgency of locating her quickly.

As for Today, it remains to be seen whether the show will address the Instagram backlash directly.

Social media posts move fast, but moments like this tend to linger, especially when emotions are already running high inside the newsroom itself.

For Savannah Guthrie, the focus is singular — bringing her mother home safely.

Summary

Megyn Kelly criticized NBC’s Today show over an Instagram post that read “Nothing beats a mom hug,” arguing that the caption was poorly timed as co-anchor Savannah Guthrie’s mother, Nancy, remains missing in Tucson.

The post, meant to highlight support for Sheinelle Jones following her husband’s death, drew backlash from viewers who called it tone-deaf.

Meanwhile, the FBI has released surveillance footage connected to Nancy’s disappearance, but no arrests have been made as the investigation continues.