A father and his three daughters in swimsuits at a beach.

Jenna Bush Hager Faces Backlash for Body-Shaming NYC Dad on TODAY Show

Jenna Bush Hager, co-host of Today with Jenna & Friends, found herself at the center of a firestorm after comments made during a segment of the NBC morning show sparked accusations of body-shaming. The controversy erupted when Hager and guest co-host Dwyane Wade discussed a viral social media post by Tyler Moore, a New York City public school teacher known as Tidy Dad, who advocated for normalizing dads wearing Speedos. What seemed like a lighthearted debate took a shocking turn when Moore revealed he had been invited as a surprise guest by Hager’s own production team, only to be blindsided by the on-air criticism. The reason behind this baffling decision has left viewers stunned.

The segment, titled “The Internet’s Divided,” featured Hager and Wade reacting to Moore’s campaign to embrace body positivity by wearing a Speedo while swimming with his children. Hager, 43, expressed disbelief, stating, “If my husband brought out a Speedo, I’d be shocked.” She added, “And by the way, a man thigh? A hairy man thigh, nobody wants to see that,” prompting laughter from Wade, who echoed her sentiments, saying, “When I’m on vacation and I see guys walking with the Speedo, it’s like, ‘What are you doing, bro? We don’t want to see all that.’” The remarks, intended as playful banter, instead struck a nerve with Moore and his supporters.

Jenna Bush Hager and Dwyane Wade discussing dads wearing Speedos on vacation.

Moore, whose social media presence promotes positivity and practical parenting, took to Threads to express his dismay. “It’s a surreal experience to have your body publicly discussed and shamed on national television,” he wrote, calling out Hager and Wade for their comments. He revealed a jaw-dropping twist: the TODAY show’s production team had invited him to appear as a surprise guest to discuss his viral post, only for him to watch the segment devolve into mockery of his appearance. “I was excited to share my message of body confidence,” Moore said. “Instead, I felt humiliated.”

The decision to invite Moore, only to critique him on air, has raised questions about the show’s intentions. Insiders suggest the production team saw Moore’s viral post as a chance to spark a lively debate, underestimating how the conversation would land. “The goal was to highlight a trending topic and bring Tyler on for a feel-good moment,” a source claimed. “But the discussion veered into personal commentary, and it spiraled out of control.” Critics argue this misstep reflects a broader issue in morning television, where viral stories are often exploited for entertainment without considering the human impact.

Hager, no stranger to body-shaming herself, has spoken openly about a painful memory from her teenage years when her late grandmother, former First Lady Barbara Bush, called her “chubby.” That experience, she shared in 2023, left her feeling deeply hurt. The irony of Hager now facing accusations of perpetuating similar harm has not been lost on viewers, many of whom flooded social media to defend Moore. “Jenna should know better,” one commenter wrote. “Body-shaming isn’t a joke—it’s hurtful, especially on national TV.”

The backlash has put Hager and the TODAY show under scrutiny, with calls for an on-air apology growing louder. Moore, meanwhile, has used the incident to double down on his message of body positivity, urging parents to embrace their authentic selves. “I wear a Speedo to show my kids that confidence matters more than judgment,” he said. As the controversy unfolds, the incident serves as a stark reminder of the power of words and the responsibility that comes with a national platform. Whether Hager can repair the damage and restore trust with her audience remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: this surprising misstep has left a lasting mark.