What did Jenna Bush Hager say? Today just called out by NYC father over alleged body shaming comments

Jenna Bush Hager, 43, has been drawing backlash on the internet for her recent remarks on a father wearing Speedos. 

During a recent episode of the Today show, the host body-shamed a man posing in his swimwear with his kids, according to a report by the Daily Mail.

Discussing the man's fashion choice on national television, the 43-year-old journalist reacted, 

"If my husband brought out a Speedo, I'd be shocked."

The man in question here is Tyler Moore, a teacher at Big Apple Public School, the New York Post confirmed. 

Tyler Moore spoke out about Jenna Bush Hager's remarks

Clapping back to Jenna's comments, he pointed out being talked about his body publicly and called it a "surreal experience."

The NYC dad responded to Jenna Bush Hager judging his swimming look

The much-talked-about controversial episode of Today with Jenna & Friends featured Jenna Bush Hager and Dwyane Wade. While discussing multiple anecdotes throughout the show, the duo also stumbled upon sharing their verdict on Tyler wearing his swimwear during The Internet’s Divided segment. 

Broadcasting his pictures on the screen, Hager slyly adjusted the spotlight on the teacher, adding, 

"And by the way, a man thigh?"

Wade joined the body-shaming reaction, further noting,

"Yeah, a hairy man thigh, nobody wants to see that."

The segment continued with Jenna looking at Tyler's image and chiming in,

"And I would just say, not every dad looks like that model dad that we just put on TV."

Moore was sporty enough to consider the co-hosts' body-shaming statements lightly. However, he certainly addressed the judgment and replied to them while spreading awareness at the same time.

The school teacher narrated the experience of being criticized publicly on Threads. Opening up about the unnecessary limelight falling on him for just wearing his Speedos on his account named @tidydad, he penned on Threads,

"Last week, my decision to wear a Speedo while lap swimming and open water swimming was discussed on 'The Today Show.'"

Engaging with Hager's response, he further continued,

"During the segment, Jenna Bush Hager commented, 'No one wants to see hairy man thighs,' and followed up by saying, 'Not every dad looks like that model dad,' referring to a photo of me in the suit."

Expressing how he felt after seeing people discussing him for wearing his preferred swimwear, he wrote later,

"It's a surreal experience to have your body publicly discussed and shamed on national television."

Moore seemed unhappy and quite fazed by the public discussion, more than by their disapproval of his comfort and fashion preferences. While referencing how he felt throughout, he also took the platform to raise awareness against body shaming. 

People slamming others for their choices and looks are concerning and a harsh aspect of reality. Noting how many women often bash other women for body weight, as the Daily Mail cited, Moore added,

"Seeing women tearing other women down over gaining or losing weight is insane to me."

The school teacher sympathized with the struggling women and accused men of interfering with their opinions, sharing,

"Seeing men even having an opinion on this is even more insane to me."

He presented his thoughts clearly and loudly by elaborating,

"Is being taught if you have nothing nice to say, don't say anything at all a thing of the past? SMH."

Putting attention on everyone neglecting others' feelings and preaching toxic beauty standards, he clarified,

"Nobody wants to hear your thoughts on their body, so let's please try to make this world a *sliver* of a better place by not tearing down someone you may or may not know."

Netizens are supporting Tyler Moore after the news broke on the internet. They have confessed to feeling sorry for what he had to face after getting scanned on the show for wearing swimwear. They have been raising their voices against Jenna for her insensitive jabs.

Jenna Bush Hager spoke candidly about body shaming in the past

Hager's criticism of a man dressing according to his norms came as a shock to many, particularly because she looked back on similar experiences in past interviews.

The New York Post reported one of her 2023 interactions when she remembered her late grandmother making her feel insecure in her teenage and growing body. 

Recalling former First Lady Barbara Bush's notes, she shared,

"I was laying next to my sister [Barbara Bush], and my grandmother, who I adored, but had kind of a biting personality, said something like, ‘Oh, Jenna! Looking chubby.'"

As a young girl, she could not handle her remark gently. Instead, she went through a rush of emotions, and she described the memory as,

"I remember feeling like I wanted to hide in it."

Hager later admitted that her grandmother apologized to her for her comment years later, according to a Page Six report. The First Lady told Bush that she was "talking to [herself]" from the time when her mother, too, left similar remarks while she was growing up.

Recounting their conversation, the Today host also shared,

"Her mother always thought of her sister as the really beautiful one and would say it. 'Martha’s the pretty one. You’re the funny one. You’re the smart one.'"

Despite her late granny admitting her mistake, she could not wear her bikini for several years. It was in 2022 when she finally mustered the courage to style a two-piece suit.
She regained her confidence after giving birth to three kids and undergoing three C-sections.

Jenna Bush Hager was seen sharing advice on dealing with body shamers a while back 

After Hager was caught in an abrupt position for judging a man for wearing Speedos, her earlier conversation on tackling people who casually leave inconsiderate thoughts. 

Along with Today's executive producer, Talia Parkinson-Jones, Jenna Bush Hager appeared in Real Simple's Modern Manners for Your Social Dilemmas column for the February/March 2025 issue.

Hager and Jones responded to a concerning question asked by Nikka Asks, a midsize woman. As she described her dilemma, she formed a healthy relationship with eating and her body after years of self-loathing and disordered eating. Unfortunately, her in-laws "are relentless body shamers." 

She is a mother to a daughter and wanted to ask her in-laws to reframe their comments before sharing. Asks shared with the celebrities.

"They get entertainment out of commenting on women’s appearances on TV or out in public. These little incidents have always made me feel uncomfortable. They also don’t align with how we want to raise our daughter. How can I persuade them to rethink their actions, especially around my daughter?"

Jenna understood the depth and impact of the tense situation and suggested that Nikka chat with her partner. She recommended,

"I think you need to talk to your partner and let them know that these little comments about the way women look are going to be something your daughter internalizes."

She also asked to have a conversation with her in-laws and discuss their imprints on the little one. She proposed,

"Say that you don't want your daughter to think we talk about other women like that. Add a little 'I know you don't mean it, but your words can impact your granddaughter.'"

Jenna Bush Hager has often spoken about the sorrow of body shaming. However, her recent impressions about the man wearing swimwear left many stunned.