Lester Holt shocked the world with news that he would be leaving NBC Nightly News come the summer of 2025, and Savannah Guthrie and Hoda Kotb shared some kind words for their NBC colleague after his big announcement.
Lester, 65, announced his exit from the show on Monday, February 24. That same day, Savannah, 53, showed her support for the broadcaster in an Instagram post.
“Congrats to @lesterholtnbc on an amazing decade and the new chapter about to unfold! I’m grateful for getting to share so many historic moments right by your side – always, always the class act,” she captioned a post on Instagram.
In the comments section, many voiced their sadness about Lester leaving the news program.
“I can’t take any more change. Everyone else please stay put,” one person wrote.
“I will miss him! Just a sense of calm and professionalism watching him every night,” a second commenter said.
“Lester, congratulations on a decade and so much more….. You bring truth, pride and community together, every weeknight and that is very much appreciated,” a third commenter wrote on Savannah’s post.
Lester shared a memo with NBC staffers about why he felt like it was the right time to leave NBC Nightly News.
“After 10 years, 17 if you include my years on the weekends, the time has come for me to step away from my role as anchor of Nightly News,” he wrote. “It has truly been the honor of a lifetime to work with each of you every day, keeping journalism as our true north and our viewers at the center of everything we do.”
Luckily for loyal NBC viewers, this doesn’t mean his work on the network is coming to a close entirely.
“But before we play the walk off music, I have another announcement. I’m excited to report I will be continuing as anchor of Dateline NBC, but for the first time in a full time capacity whereby I will be expanding my footprint on the broadcast and crafting Dateline hours on subjects I care deeply about,” Lester shared. “I am thrilled to be able to work more closely with my enormously talented friends at Dateline as the broadcast continues to grow and attract new viewers in new places.”
Hoda, who left Today in January, also shared a post dedicated to Lester on Instagram.
“Lester! Hats off to a great run on @nbcnightlynews ! Now all thats left is a move to the burbs.. and a @toyota sienna mini van! Xx love you @lesterholtnbc. Xo,” Hoda, 60, captioned a series of photos of Lester with her family members on Instagram on Tuesday, February 25.
Much like Savannah’s post, the commenters on Hoda’s post praised Lester and echoed how sad everyone is to see him leave Nightly News.
“I have truly enjoyed watching Lester every evening!! Wishing him all the best!!” someone wrote in a comment.
“My two daily NBC ‘bookends’ will both be gone. You and Lester are my people! I am so terribly sad,” another comment read.
There have been no further announcements about who will be replacing Lester on Nightly News as of publication.
