Fans rejoiced on social media when Hoda Kotb was announced as the full-time replacement for disgraced Matt Lauer on “TODAY.”
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The big news was announced in the early hours of Jan. 2, and Kotb’s new full-time co-host Savannah Guthrie was there to share the news with the viewers of Tuesday’s broadcast.
.@SavannahGuthrie announces @HodaKotb will be co-anchor of TODAY. #SavannahHodaTODAY pic.twitter.com/B64n2FmCwq
— TODAY (@TODAYshow) January 2, 2018
“Welcome to TODAY. It’s 2018, and we are kicking off the New Year right, because Hoda is officially the co-anchor of ‘TODAY,'” Guthrie started the show. “This has to be the most popular decision that NBC News has ever made!”
“I’m pinching myself,” Kotb added with a big smile and laugh.
The giggles continued when Guthrie insisted they play the introduction three more times to hear Kotb’s name again.
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“Hoda, you are a partner and a friend and a sister, and I am so happy to be doing this,” Guthrie said.
“Well, there’s no one else I would rather be sitting next to in 2018,” Kotb said. Guthrie encouraged fans to share their well-wishes to the new co-anchor using #SavannahHodaTODAY, and fans were quick to celebrate on Twitter, making the hashtag quickly climb to number 1. Kotb and Guthrie’s colleagues also joined in on the congratulations messages posted to Twitter.
This is us! #SavannahHodaTODAY pic.twitter.com/Xe2z6uygZe
— Savannah Guthrie (@SavannahGuthrie) January 2, 2018
Mornings just got a little sweeter!Congratulations Hoda!! Best Decision EVER!!!! Hoda is an absolute angel! #SavannahHodaTODAY pic.twitter.com/Ga9Yxg5DKW
— Cindy Charles (@cindycharlesOT) January 2, 2018
#SavannahHodaTODAY congrats 🎊🍾🎉 Hoda! Your smile and positive energy helps get my day get going!!!! ❤️❤️❤️❤️ pic.twitter.com/hhll1CxIz5
— Susan Holt (@luvs_e) January 2, 2018
https://twitter.com/CarsonDaly/status/948163125911703553
Congrats to the awesome and talented @hodakotb on her well-deserved new role as co-anchor of @TODAYshow. Love you Hoda! #SavannahHodaTODAY
— Megyn Kelly (@megynkelly) January 2, 2018
YES!!! a lady-led morning show 💃🏻💃🏻 it’s about time 👏🏼👏🏼 #SavannahHodaTODAY https://t.co/Qa0gaY9lqB
— Jamie Stelter (@JamieStelter) January 2, 2018
Congratulations @hodakotb you deserve it – so happy to see you each morning as you walk through the world with joy and grace! #SavannahHodaTODAY pic.twitter.com/mxZGLbWtrk
— Saqi Mehta (@callmesaqi) January 2, 2018
#SavannahHodaTODAY you did good Today show, you did good pic.twitter.com/BXirSNGkjC
— Sharon Soloman (@fridafirst) January 2, 2018
#SavannahHodaTODAY Congratulations! The show is always better when you are a part of it! Bringing integrity back to the news!
— Denise 🇺🇸 (@denise76300) January 2, 2018
The team of @SavannahGuthrie +@hodakotb happens to be two of the best, smartest, hilarious people I know!! #SavannahHodaTODAY https://t.co/olMmSHW4nh
— Jenna Bush Hager (@JennaBushHager) January 2, 2018
https://twitter.com/RENEEALEXANDER8/status/948191975831896064
THRILLED that @hodakotb is officially co-anchor for @TODAYshow ! There's never been a more deserving person. Hoda is talented, personable and kind. What an example for her daughter! ❤ #SavannahHodaTODAY
— Holly (@HollyLynn518) January 2, 2018
Of course, not everyone was pleased with the decision, and a few trolls came out to share their dismay for the decision on Twitter.
https://twitter.com/TheMikeVanVliet/status/948189951883177984
https://twitter.com/JoshNoneYaBiz/status/948170870421417985
https://twitter.com/MozzyMozzborn/status/948163963363168256
Lauer was fired from “TODAY” and NBC News in November after a female colleague came forward with sexual misconduct allegations against him stemming back from the winter Olympics in Sochi. Following the allegations, Lauer released a statement that Guthrie and Kotb delivered to viewers on Nov. 30.
“There are no words to express my sorrow and regret for the pain I have cause others by words and actions,” Lauer said in the statement, in part. “The last two days have forced me to take a hard look at my own flaws.”