MediaHannah Andersonchelsea manningToday Show

'Today' Wins The Morning With Chelsea Manning Scoop (VIDEO)

'Today' Wins The Morning With Chelsea Manning Scoop
By 

Senior Media Editor, The Huffington Post

|

Visit NBCNews.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

"Today" scored two major exclusives on Thursday, starting with the bombshell news that Bradley Manning had officially decided to start living as a woman named Chelsea.

The show had promised a "bombshell" to its followers on Twitter, and it delivered, as Savannah Guthrie dramatically unveiled a statement sent to "Today" by Manning herself:

For a show that's been in the headlines so much for its tumultuous behind-the-scenes drama rather what's onscreen, the attention "Today" received for breaking the news must have come as a welcome change.

The program also landed an exclusive—and much more conventionally morning-show—interview with California kidnapping Hannah Anderson, with "Dateline" reporter Kate Snow talking to Anderson about her abduction and the murder of her mother and brother by her captor, James DiMaggio.

CORRECTION: Hannah Anderson's brother was killed by her captor James DiMaggio. It was not her sister as the article originally stated.

Support HuffPost

At HuffPost, we believe that everyone needs high-quality journalism, but we understand that not everyone can afford to pay for expensive news subscriptions. That is why we are committed to providing deeply reported, carefully fact-checked news that is freely accessible to everyone.

Whether you come to HuffPost for updates on the 2024 presidential race, hard-hitting investigations into critical issues facing our country today, or trending stories that make you laugh, we appreciate you. The truth is, news costs money to produce, and we are proud that we have never put our stories behind an expensive paywall.

Would you join us to help keep our stories free for all? Your will go a long way.

Support HuffPost

Before You Go

Savannah Guthrie Style Evolution
Lucky Shop VIP Preview Part For The Robin Hood Foundation(01 of26)
Open Image Modal
NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 18: Court TV correspondent Savannah Guthrie attends Lucky Magazine's VIP Preview to benefit the Robin Hood Foundation at Gotham Hall on November 18, 2004 in New York City. (Photo by Fernando Leon/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Joseph Smith Sentenced In Carlia Brucia Case(02 of26)
Open Image Modal
SARASOTA, FL - NOVEMBER 28: A crowd watches Joseph Brucia (L) speak with Court TV's Savannah Guthrie (R) during a break in the sentencing phase of Joseph Smith's murder trial November 28, 2005 in Sarasota, Florida. Smith was convicted of murder, kidnapping and sexual assuault in the case earlier this month. A judge and jury will decide whether Smith gets the death penalty or life in prison. (Photo by Tim Boyles/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Capitol File Magazine Celebrates The Launch Of Court TV's New D.C. Bureau(03 of26)
Open Image Modal
WASHINGTON - MAY 03: (L-R) COURT TV Senior Editor Fred Graham, COURT TV Chairman and CEO Henry Schleiff, and COURT TV's Savannah Guthrie pose for a photograph on the rooftop terrace at the Kennedy Center during a party celebrating the official opening of COURT TV's Washington, DC Bureau, on May 3, 2006 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Chris Greenberg/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
PEOPLE and TIME Cocktail Party on Eve of White House Correspondent�s Dinner(04 of26)
Open Image Modal
WASHINGTON - MAY 08: (NO US ENTERTSAINMENT WEEKLIES) Norah O'Donnell, Courtney Hazlett and Savannah Guthrie attend the PEOPLE and TIME cocktail party on eve of White House Correspondent�s Dinner at St Regis Hotel - Astor Terrace on May 8, 2009 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Jason Kempin/Getty Images for People) (credit:Getty Images)
PEOPLE/TIME Party on The Eve of The White House Correspondents' Dinner(05 of26)
Open Image Modal
WASHINGTON - APRIL 30: (L-R) Savannah Guthrie, Laura Jarrett , guest and Valarie Jarrett attend the PEOPLE/TIME party on the eve of the White House Correspondents' Dinner at the St Regis Hotel - Astor Terrace on April 30, 2010 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Larry Busacca/Getty Images for Time Inc) (credit:Getty Images)
People/TIME White House Correspondents' Dinner Cocktail Party(06 of26)
Open Image Modal
WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 29: Journalists Michael Allen (L) and Savannah Guthrie attend the People/TIME White House Correspondents' dinner cocktail party at the St. Regis Hotel on April 29, 2011 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Larry Busacca/Getty Images for TIME) (credit:Getty Images)
People/TIME White House Correspondents' Dinner Cocktail Party(07 of26)
Open Image Modal
WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 29: Journalist Savannah Guthrie attends the People/TIME White House Correspondents' dinner cocktail party at the St. Regis Hotel on April 29, 2011 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Larry Busacca/Getty Images for Time Warner) (credit:Getty Images)
U.S. Olympic Hopefuls Appear On The Today Show(08 of26)
Open Image Modal
NEW YORK, NY - JULY 27: Co-Host Savannah Guthrie (C) poses for a photo with USA Olympic athletes Henry Cejudo (R) and Bryan Clay (L) during an appearance on the NBC Today Show on July 27, 2011 in New York City (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Marchesa - Front Row - Spring 2012 Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week(09 of26)
Open Image Modal
NEW YORK, NY - SEPTEMBER 13: Journalist Savannah Guthrie attends the Marchesa Spring 2012 fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at The Plaza Hotel on September 13, 2011 in New York City. (Photo by Henry S. Dziekan III/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Coldplay Performs On NBC's "Today"(10 of26)
Open Image Modal
NEW YORK, NY - OCTOBER 21: (L-R) Host Al Roker, host Natalie Morales, host Savannah Guthrie, singer/musician Chris Martin of Coldplay, and host Matt Lauer on the set of NBC's 'Today' at Rockefeller Center on October 21, 2011 in New York City. (Photo by Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Robert F. Kennedy Center For Justice And Human Rights 2011 Ripple Of Hope Awards Dinner Honors Former Vice President Al Gore And Dennis Mathisen, Chairman, K2 Capital Group(11 of26)
Open Image Modal
NEW YORK, NY - DECEMBER 05: (L-R) Savannah Guthrie, Michael Warren and Wendy Diamond attend the Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice and Human Rights 2011 Ripple of Hope Awards dinner at Pier Sixty at Chelsea Piers on December 5, 2011 in New York City. (Photo by Andy Kropa/Getty Images for RFK Center) (credit:Getty Images)
The "TODAY" Show 60th Anniversary Celebration(12 of26)
Open Image Modal
NEW YORK, NY - JANUARY 12: (L-R) 'TODAY' Show correspondent Savannah Guthrie attends the 'TODAY' Show 60th anniversary celebration at The Edison Ballroom on January 12, 2012 in New York City. (Photo by Michael Loccisano/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Vanity Fair & Fisker Automotive Toast Dreamworks Pictures Golden Globes Best Drama Nominations "The Help" And "War Horse"(13 of26)
Open Image Modal
LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 13: Savannah Guthrie attends Vanity Fair & Fisker Automotive Toast Dreamworks Pictures Golden Globes Best Drama Nominations 'The Help' And 'War Horse' at Cecconi's Restaurant on January 13, 2012 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Charley Gallay/Getty Images for Vanity Fair) (credit:Getty Images)
New York Giants Super Bowl Pep Rally Luncheon(14 of26)
Open Image Modal
NEW YORK, NY - FEBRUARY 01: (EXCLUSIVE COVERAGE) Gayle King and Savannah Guthrie attend the New York Giants Super Bowl Pep Rally Luncheon at Michael's on February 1, 2012 in New York City. (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for New York Giants) (credit:Getty Images)
Rolling Stone Hosts The Bacardi Bash: 150 Years Of Rocking The Party(15 of26)
Open Image Modal
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - FEBRUARY 04: Today Show hostess Savannah Guthrie arrives at Rolling Stone's Bacardi Bash: 150 Years of Rocking The Party at The Crane Bay on February 4, 2012 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Gustavo Caballero/Getty Images for Rolling Stone's Volkswagen Rock & Roll Tailgate) (credit:Getty Images)
TIME 100 Gala, TIME'S 100 Most Influential People In The World - Red Carpet(16 of26)
Open Image Modal
NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 24: Journalist Savannah Guthrie attends the TIME 100 Gala celebrating TIME'S 100 Most Influential People In The World at Jazz at Lincoln Center on April 24, 2012 in New York City. (Photo by Fernando Leon/Getty Images for TIME) (credit:Getty Images)
PEOPLE/TIME Party On The Eve Of The White House Correspondents' Dinner(17 of26)
Open Image Modal
WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 27: Savannah Guthrie of NBC and Michael Feldman attend the PEOPLE/TIME Party on the eve of the White House Correspondents' Dinner on April 27, 2012 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Larry Busacca/Getty Images for People) (credit:Getty Images)
2012 White House Correspondents' Association Dinner - Arrivals(18 of26)
Open Image Modal
WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 28: Savannah Guthrie attends the 98th Annual White House Correspondents' Association Dinner at the Washington Hilton on April 28, 2012 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
The Zac Brown Band Performs On NBC's "Today"(19 of26)
Open Image Modal
NEW YORK, NY - JULY 13: Journalist and 'Today' co-host Savannah Guthrie (L) and 'Today' co-host Al Roker speak to the crowd on NBC's 'Today' at Rockefeller Plaza on July 13, 2012 in New York City. (Photo by Mike Coppola/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Lionel Richie Performs On NBC's "Today"(20 of26)
Open Image Modal
NEW YORK, NY - AUGUST 16: 'Today' co-anchor Savannah Guthrie appears on NBC's 'Today' at Rockefeller Plaza on August 16, 2012 in New York City. (Photo by Michael Loccisano/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Nanette Lepore - Front Row - Spring 2013 Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week(21 of26)
Open Image Modal
NEW YORK, NY - SEPTEMBER 12: Savannah Guthrie (C) attends the Nanette Lepore Spring 2013 fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at The Stage Lincoln Center on September 12, 2012 in New York City. (Photo by Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images for Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week) (credit:Getty Images)
70th Annual Golden Globe Awards - Arrivals(22 of26)
Open Image Modal
BEVERLY HILLS, CA - JANUARY 13: TV personalities Savannah Guthrie (L) and Al Roker arrive at the 70th Annual Golden Globe Awards held at The Beverly Hilton Hotel on January 13, 2013 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
"SiriusXM's Town Hall With Jon Bon Jovi" And Moderator Savannah Guthrie At The SiriusXM Studios(23 of26)
Open Image Modal
NEW YORK, NY - FEBRUARY 04: Savannah Guthrie attends 'SiriusXM's Town Hall with Jon Bon Jovi' and moderator Savannah Guthrie at the SiriusXM studios on February 4, 2013 in New York City. (Photo by Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images for SiriusXM) (credit:Getty Images)
The Heart Truth 2013 Fashion Show(24 of26)
Open Image Modal
NEW YORK, NY - FEBRUARY 06: Savannah Guthrie walks the runway at The Heart Truth 2013 Fashion Show at Hammerstein Ballroom on February 6, 2013 in New York City. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images for Heart Truth) (credit:Getty Images)
The New Yorker's David Remnick Hosts White House Correspondents' Dinner Weekend Pre-Party(25 of26)
Open Image Modal
WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 26: Journalist Savannah Guthrie attends The New Yorker's David Remnick Hosts White House Correspondents' Dinner Weekend Pre-Party at W Hotel Rooftop on April 26, 2013 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for The New Yorker) (credit:Getty Images)
Psy Performs On NBC's "Today Show"(26 of26)
Open Image Modal
NEW YORK, NY - MAY 03: Psy (R) with hosts Tamron Hall and Savannah Guthrie On NBC's 'Today Show' at TODAY Plaza on May 3, 2013 in New York City. (Photo by Rob Kim/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Suggest a correction
|
Submit a tip