Billy Bush Claims Two ‘Today' Veterans Didn't Want Him on the Show
Billy Bush is looking back on his short time at Today, and he is not holding back.
During an appearance on The Nerve With Maureen Callahan, Bush claimed that two major NBC names did not want him on the show when he joined the morning program in 2016.
Bush specifically named Al Roker and Matt Lauer while describing what he said was an unwelcoming environment.
Billy Bush Claims Al Roker and Matt Lauer Didn't Want Him There
Bush said he could feel tension after landing the Today job.
"There was this general feeling they don't want you there," Bush said, according to Entertainment Weekly.
He then claimed that "Matt Lauer, Al Roker" did not want him on the third hour.
Bush said he believed NBC executives thought he would be a strong fit for the hour, but that some of the established male talent were not happy about it.
Bush Had Sharp Words for Al Roker
Bush's strongest comments were directed at Roker.
He described Roker as "territorial, vindictive, and chronically unprepared."
Bush also claimed Roker was difficult to work with and accused him of not wanting to share the spotlight on the show.
According to Page Six, Bush said the third hour of Today would "never be a successful hour" with Roker because he considered him a poor interviewer.
Bush also claimed Roker had liked a tweet that called him a "white-splaining racist" while they were working together.
Roker Has Not Publicly Responded
Roker has not publicly responded to Bush's comments. Entertainment Weekly reported that it reached out to Roker's representative for comment.
Bush's comments come nearly 10 years after his short run on Today. He joined the NBC morning show in 2016 after years at Access Hollywood.
His time at Today ended after the release of the 2005 Access Hollywood tape involving Donald Trump. Bush was heard laughing during the lewd conversation, and he later lost his NBC job.
Related: ‘Today' Host Al Roker Shares Weirdest Way He's Ended a Party Early
Bush Has Spoken About the Fallout Before
Bush has talked before about the fallout from the tape and how it affected his career.
In this new interview, though, he focused heavily on what he says was happening before the tape was released.
He claimed he was supposed to have a bigger role on Today's third hour, but said the environment already felt tense before everything changed.
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This story was originally published June 18, 2026 at 5:11 PM.