Today host Hoda Kotb reveals how she would reject potential romantic suitors – as she slams ghosting as the ‘cowardly way out’

Hoda Kotb has revealed how she once ‘kindly’ left a man over text because she didn’t feel a ‘romantic connection’ after going on a date with him.

The 59-year-old, who recently opened up about her “red flags,” discussed a new dating trend called “Bless and Release,” where she texts someone and wishes them well while subtly confirming that you’re not going on another date .

Speaking to her cohost, Jenna Bush Hager, Hoda said, “Ghosting is kind of a cowardly cop out. You can’t say anything, so you just let it go. They will forget. It will be over,” to which Jenna, 42, replied, “Yes, it hurts.”

Hoda continued, “Here’s the thing, if you got a text that said, ‘Hey Jenna, I’m not feeling a romantic connection,’ you’d be like, that’s an ouch beyond that,” as Jenna agreed and said, ‘I know, I don’t feel like that’s a blessing, I feel like it’s a blow!’

Hoda discussed a new dating trend called Bless and Release with her cohost, Jenna Bush Hager, on Today’s Friday

The two hosts shared their thoughts on what to text someone to gently let them down

Hoda, 59, was previously engaged to financier Joel Schiffman, but they split in 2022

Her cohost then demonstrated how she would phrase a possible lyric: “I think it should be something like, “look Jenna… my plate is really full at this point in my life and I wish you the best.”

“Because it wouldn’t be busy if you had a romantic connection, but you don’t, but you don’t have to say that,” she added when Jenna responded, “I totally agree, soften…the word ‘ and ‘is useful.’

Joking about what she might actually want to say, Hoda blurted out, “You’re not giving me any vibes AND I wish you the best!” as Jenna added, “I’m completely turned off by you AND good luck out there!”

“We’ve never blessed or released anyone because it wasn’t there,” Jenna said, before coming back and asking Hoda, “Have you ever been blessed?”

Hoda revealed, “I think so, I think so. I’ve said something kindly like, “You know what, the timing isn’t right for me right now.”

“However, if we had a connection – I thought – this would be the right time, but it’s just not the right time to fill,” she added, as Jenna claimed, “No one has enough time to just fill them with someone they don’t love.’

Their comments come after Jenna seemingly confirmed that Hoda was currently single during an episode of their show earlier this month.

It came about when Jenna tried to clear up some confusion over the identity of a man who was mistaken for one of Hoda’s potential love interests, revealing that he was actually her driver, and not her boyfriend.

Mother-of-two Hoda claimed ‘ghosting is a cowardly way out’ while dating

In March, Hoda revealed she had been on her first date in the two years since splitting from Joel

Hoda recently had to clear up some confusion about her driver Eddie being her romantic partner

The TV presenter is currently single and confirmed that she had recently started dating again

The confusion came after Hoda mentioned the man, Eddie, during a conversation about basketball, leading some fans to think she was talking about a romantic partner.

“Wait, and we just have to say… Eddie brings you… people thought he was your boyfriend for a second,” Jenna, 42, said as Hoda giggled and replied, “No, no!”

Jenna continued, “No, they did! And I saw him yesterday and I thought, “How are you, Eddie?” and he said, “Can you believe it?”

“Eddie, do you love him?” Jenna added as Hoda responded, “I love Eddie very much, I worked with him for many years and I call him my Eddie,” as Jenna emphasized, “He’s your Eddie, but that doesn’t mean he’s your romantic Eddie is. ‘

Jenna seemed to confirm that Hoda is still single, adding, “Any of you who thought she found the one, she’s still looking,” as Hoda giggled nervously.

Last month, Hoda revealed she was on her first date in two years since splitting from her former fiancé, financier Joel Schiffman, but insisted she doesn’t use dating apps because she wants to avoid “crazies.”