In the glittering yet cutthroat world of morning television, few programs have been as synonymous with drama as NBC’s Today show. For years, it has been a powerhouse of ratings, celebrity interviews, and feel-good segments, but behind the polished facade lies a history of whispered feuds, power struggles, and scandals that have rocked the industry. At the center of it all is Savannah Guthrie, the poised Australian-American journalist who rose from White House correspondent to co-anchor, only to navigate a minefield of backstage tensions with two of her most prominent colleagues: Megyn Kelly and Matt Lauer. As of September 11, 2025, with Guthrie still holding court alongside Hoda Kotb, the rumors persist – did Guthrie face off against Kelly’s aggressive ambitions and Lauer’s alleged predatory behavior before their abrupt departures in 2018 and 2017, respectively? This article delves into the speculation, drawing on historical context and industry insights to unpack the narrative that has fueled tabloids and insider chatter for nearly a decade.

Savannah Guthrie’s journey to Today stardom began in earnest in 2012, when she replaced Ann Curry as co-anchor opposite the veteran Matt Lauer. Guthrie, born in Melbourne in 1971 and raised in Tucson, Arizona, had already built a solid reputation at NBC as a chief legal analyst and White House correspondent. Her first day on July 9, 2012, marked the start of a seemingly unbreakable on-air partnership with Lauer, who had been a fixture on the show since 1998. Together, they helmed the 7-9 a.m. slot, delivering news, weather with Al Roker, and light-hearted banter that helped Today reclaim its dominance over ABC’s Good Morning America. Publicly, their chemistry was electric; Guthrie often gushed about Lauer’s mentorship, and they co-hosted high-profile events like the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting. In a 2017 retrospective, Lauer praised Guthrie as “one of the most well-rounded people-slash-personalities on the program,” even celebrating her five-year “Savannahversary” with milkshakes and cake in studio.

But whispers of discord began almost immediately. Insiders claimed Lauer, known for his sharp wit and commanding presence, exerted significant influence behind the scenes, sometimes at the expense of female colleagues. The botched exit of Ann Curry in 2012, where Lauer was reportedly cast as a “behind-the-scenes villain,” set a precedent for tension. Guthrie, stepping into Curry’s shoes, was said to have inherited not just the role but the resentment. Sources described a dynamic where Lauer dominated decisions, leaving Guthrie to navigate a male-centric environment. As one former NBC staffer noted in industry discussions, morning shows like Today are “hotbeds of drama,” fueled by high-stakes maneuvering and ego clashes. Guthrie, ever the professional, maintained a united front, but rumors suggested she felt overshadowed, particularly as Lauer’s salary – reportedly $25 million annually – dwarfed hers.

The arrival of Megyn Kelly in September 2017 escalated the intrigue. Kelly, the high-profile Fox News alumna poached by NBC for a staggering $15-23 million deal, was set to host the 9 a.m. hour with her own program, Megyn Kelly Today. Her transition from conservative hard news to bubbly daytime TV was rocky from the start. Tabloids like the New York Post‘s Page Six speculated wildly that Kelly, backed by NBC News Chairman Andy Lack, aimed to “muscle out” Guthrie from the lead anchor spot alongside Lauer. A February 2017 report claimed Kelly was “poised to take over” the 7-9 a.m. slot, potentially bumping Guthrie to the third hour or even replacing Tamron Hall, who abruptly quit amid the shuffle. NBC executives vehemently denied it, with one source insisting, “NBC is not paying Megyn $12 to $15 million a year to be on at 9 a.m.” Kelly herself dismissed the rumors in interviews, mocking the idea during a June 2017 appearance where she hit back at feud speculation involving Lauer and Guthrie.

Yet, the tension was palpable. Kelly’s debut was marred by awkward moments, like unintentionally shading Hoda Kotb on air by greeting only Lauer and Guthrie. Producers from the first two hours reportedly sniped at Kelly’s segment, with one insider telling The New York Post in January 2018 that the atmosphere was “so bad around Megyn Kelly” that jabs were traded openly. Guthrie and Kotb, who would later become co-anchors, were accused of subtle “mean girl” digs during crossovers. For instance, in a light-hearted but pointed segment, hosts hinted at rumored feuds, with Kelly responding by emphasizing unity. Ratings for Kelly’s hour plummeted, described as “destroying NBC’s morning ratings” in online forums like Reddit, where viewers complained of her “cringeworthy” style. Guthrie, meanwhile, was reportedly “disgusted” by Kelly’s later controversies, including the infamous 2018 blackface remarks that led to her show’s cancellation on October 26, 2018. Sources claimed Guthrie and Kotb were left “reeling,” processing the fallout while cleaning up the mess on air.

The real bombshell dropped on November 29, 2017, when Lauer was fired amid allegations of “inappropriate sexual behavior in the workplace.” Guthrie, who had learned of the decision moments before going live, delivered the emotional announcement alongside a temporary fill-in, Hoda Kotb. Choking back tears, she read NBC Chairman Andy Lack’s statement, revealing a “detailed complaint” from a colleague that suggested the incident was not isolated. “We are devastated, and we are still processing all of this,” Guthrie said, adding she was “heartbroken” for her “dear friend” Lauer and the victims. Kelly, opening her hour, addressed it too, noting it “hits close to home” and praising the bravery of those coming forward. But backstage outrage brewed. Kelly admitted at a conference that she had “heard rumors” about Lauer, fueling speculation she played a role in encouraging complaints – a theory echoed in Vanity Fair reports that “everybody knew” about his behavior.

Post-firing, the feud between Guthrie and Lauer intensified. Once close – Guthrie had even brought her children to meet him on set – their relationship soured. Lauer felt “betrayed,” especially after Guthrie called further allegations from former producer Brooke Nevils “shocking and appalling” on air in 2020. Sources told Us Weekly the rift was “pretty bad,” with Lauer upset over her public stance. Guthrie, who refused to be in the same room as him, reportedly ended their friendship entirely. Even at events like a 2023 wedding for NBC producer Jen Long, where both attended, interactions were minimal and awkward. Lauer, living quietly in the Hamptons, has since gotten a tattoo reading “Hatred corrodes the container it’s carried in,” perhaps a subtle nod to the fallout.

Kelly’s exit in January 2019, after the blackface scandal and poor ratings, left Guthrie as the unchallenged queen of Today. Paired with Kotb, who replaced Lauer, the duo revitalized the show, emphasizing female empowerment amid the #MeToo era. Yet, the scars remain. As of 2025, Today continues to thrive, with Guthrie authoring books like Princesses Save the World and hosting events for veterans. But the rumors of her “facing conflicts” persist in pop culture lore, amplified by social media posts from 2017-2018 mocking the Lauer-Guthrie “feud” and Kelly’s jabs.

These speculations highlight broader issues in broadcast journalism: power imbalances, gender dynamics, and the pressure to maintain a sunny image while scandals simmer. While NBC has never confirmed direct confrontations, the pattern of abrupt exits – Lauer’s firing, Kelly’s cancellation – suggests Guthrie’s resilience amid chaos. Industry experts argue that such drama is par for the course in morning TV, where personalities clash over airtime and influence. Guthrie’s success today, with the show consistently topping ratings, proves she emerged stronger. As one observer put it, “The universe of Today still has secrets,” but Guthrie’s story is one of survival in a high-stakes arena. Whether the feuds were real or manufactured by tabloids, they underscore the human cost of fame in the spotlight.