Jenna Bush Hager and Sheinelle Jones have slammed Pete Davidson over his controversial take on influencers. On the October 8 episode of TODAY with Jenna and Sheinelle, the hosts — joined by Zuri Hall — recapped the backlash to Davidson's recent comments before giving their two cents on the issue.
Part of the problem is he singled out women, Jones said. There are male and female influencers. Jones added that she did not know if that was intentional or if Davidson was just thinking top of mind about his own dating history. Hall agreed, saying the remarks felt hypocritical given Davidson's romantic past. He's dated influencers, Hall said — a pointed reference to Davidson's high-profile relationship with Kim Kardashian.
Hall noted that reactions to Davidson's comments have been split. Some people agree with him, she said, quoting supporters who say things like he's not wrong and the wrong people are famous. Two things can be true, Hall added, but the singling out of women influencers felt not great.
Bush Hager piled on, observing that Davidson has dated a lot of people, some of whom have been influencers. The former Saturday Night Live star's dating history has been tabloid fodder for years, with his relationships with Kardashian, Ariana Grande and others making him one of the most gossiped-about figures in entertainment.
Davidson's original comments, in which he appeared to dismiss influencers as undeserving of their fame, struck a nerve in an era when the creator economy employs millions of Americans. Critics accused the comedian of punching down at an industry dominated by young women, while defenders said he was voicing a frustration many people share about celebrity culture.
Davidson has not responded to the TODAY hosts' criticism. The comedian, who has been open about his mental health struggles, has largely stayed out of the press in recent months as he focuses on acting projects. Whether he addresses the influencer controversy directly or lets it blow over, the segment ensured the debate will keep simmering. The clash also highlights the cultural fault line Davidson stumbled into. The creator economy he criticized supports millions of livelihoods, and dismissing it as unserious fame now reads to many as out of touch, especially from someone whose own celebrity was built inside the traditional media machine he seems to defend. Whether the segment changes any minds or simply gives both sides fresh ammunition, it has ensured Davidson's comments will not fade quietly.