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Jenna Bush Hager, Progeny of Presidents, Is Now a Publishing Kingmaker
Article

Jenna Bush Hager, Progeny of Presidents, Is Now a Publishing Kingmaker

The former first daughter is famous in her own right. Her TV book club is one of the few reliable paths to the best-seller list in a precarious industry.



Editorial Rating

8

Qualities

  • Background
  • Concrete Examples
  • Engaging

Recommendation

The cohost of NBC’s Today Show, Jenna Bush Hager – daughter and granddaughter of former presidents George W. Bush and George H.W. Bush – has emerged as a force in the book publishing world. An author herself, Hager launched her on-air book club in 2019. Since then, the show’s “Read with Jenna” segment has become a phenomenon akin to Oprah’s Book Club. In this engaging New York Times article, journalist Matt Flegenheimer leads readers through Hager’s journey from “the nation’s most scrutinized underage drinker” to media maven and unveils the former first daughter’s plans to expand her influence. 

Take-Aways

  • During her father George W. Bush’s presidency, the press depicted Jenna Bush Hager as a loose cannon.
  • Hager worked hard to prove herself as more than a stunt hire after joining NBC’s Today Show in 2009.   
  • Hager’s reading segment stepped into the mainstream TV void left by Oprah’s Book Club.

About the Author

Matt Flegenheimer is a reporter for The New York Times, covering national politics. For more information, see #ReadWithJenna and today.com/read-with-jenna.