A White House official confirmed that Donald Trump called and spoke with Savannah Guthrie earlier in the day, though no additional details about the conversation were disclosed.
The call comes as authorities continue to investigate the disappearance of Guthrie’s 84-year-old mother, Nancy Guthrie, who was last seen Saturday at her home near Tucson, Arizona. Law enforcement has confirmed the case is being treated as a criminal investigation, though officials have said that no suspects or persons of interest have been publicly identified at this time.
The phone call was reported by Fox News. During a question-and-answer session in the White House Oval Office on Tuesday, Trump addressed the case directly, calling the situation “terrible” and saying he was open to deploying additional federal resources to assist local investigators.
“I think it’s terrible,” Trump said. “I’m going to call [Savannah Guthrie] later on. I think it’s a terrible thing. Very unusual situation, but we’re going to find out.”
The president also referenced his past professional clashes with Guthrie, noting that despite their highly publicized confrontation during an NBC town hall in October 2020, he has no personal animosity toward the longtime anchor.
“I always got along very good with Savannah,” Trump added.
That 2020 town hall, held during the height of the presidential election and the COVID-19 pandemic, featured tense exchanges between the two. The moment became one of the most talked-about media showdowns of the election cycle.
Despite that history, Trump’s decision to personally reach out underscores the level of national attention the case has drawn as concern grows over Nancy Guthrie’s safety. Investigators have acknowledged receiving multiple communications sent to media outlets that are now being examined as part of the ongoing probe, while stressing that all evidence is being carefully vetted.
The unfolding crisis has also had a direct impact on Savannah Guthrie’s professional responsibilities. She has stepped away from hosting duties and withdrew from NBC’s coverage of the opening ceremony of the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan to remain with her family as the search continues. NBC has reassigned coverage roles to other hosts in her absence.
Colleagues across the network have publicly expressed support, and messages of concern and prayer have poured in from viewers nationwide. NBC Sports broadcaster Mike Tirico was among those who acknowledged the gravity of the situation, saying the network is focused on supporting Guthrie and her family.
As of Wednesday, the search for Nancy Guthrie remains active, with federal authorities assisting local law enforcement. Officials continue to urge anyone with information to come forward as investigators work to determine what happened and bring the case to a resolution.
“At this point, investigators have not identified a suspect or person of interest in this case,” the Pima County Sheriff’s Department said in a social media post. “Detectives are working closely with the Guthrie family.”
Police have described the scene at Guthrie’s rural Tucson home as suspicious and confirmed the residence remains a crime scene. Investigators have said the 84-year-old, who has limited mobility and relies on daily medication that could be life-saving, “didn’t just walk out.”
More than three days after Guthrie was last seen Saturday night, the case has intensified amid reports of alleged ransom demands and disturbing discoveries at the home.
