Sunday TODAY with Willie Geist - Season 11 / Year 2025

In this week's Sunday Sitdown, Lisa Kudrow joins Willie Geist to talk about sharing the screen with Ray Romano in their new Netflix show "No Good Deed," the enduring legacy of "Friends" and her late co-star Matthew Perry. New York City has officially become the first city in the country to implement a congestion charge for any vehicle entering the middle of Manhattan. The tax has been in effect for decades in other parts of the world and officials say it has provided benefits from easing traffic to curbing pollution. NBC's Emilie Ikeda reports in this week's Sunday Focus. A pharmacy in London is dispensing a different kind of medicine to help people get through difficult times. Customers who walk into the Poetry Pharmacy can find a poem or words of comfort to make them feel a bit better. NBC's Kelly Cobiella reports in this week's Sunday Spotlight. NBC's Joe Fryer runs through the first Highs of 2025 on Sunday TODAY including toaster pastries living out their dream at the Pop-Tarts Bowl, a confused dad waking up in the middle of an UNO game and more.

In this week's Sunday Sitdown, Mariska Hargitay joins Willie Geist for a discussion on the real-world impact of "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" and her character Olivia Benson that she made her own more than 25 years ago. President-elect Donald Trump said he would not rule out the use of American military force to seize control of Greenland, a self-governing territory within the Kingdom of Denmark. Trump is not the first American president to consider the strategic appeal of the world's largest island. NBC's Raf Sanchez reports in this week's Sunday Focus. The Goodyear Blimp is celebrating 100 years floating over America's biggest events from NASCAR races to Super Bowls and oversights like San Francisco and Las Vegas with legendary passengers like President Ronald Reagan, Charles Lindbergh and even Charles Barkley. NBC's Jesse Kirsch catches a ride to celebrate the century of flight in this week's Sunday Spotlight. Sunday TODAY's Willie Geist runs through the Highs and Lows of the week including some acts of bravery and kindness shown during the Southern California wildfires, Walker Kessler of the Utah Jazz reacting to his girlfriend Abbie Stockard being named Miss America and more!

In this week's Sunday Sitdown, Hollywood icon Glenn Close joins Willie Geist for a chat about her latest role in "Back in Action" and walks through her extraordinary 50-year career that began with a young theater actress dreaming big on the stages of New York City. Meet the Press moderator Kristen Welker joins Willie Geist on Sunday TODAY with a preview of her exclusive phone interview with President-elect Donald Trump about his first actions in office after inauguration. As firefighters begin to get a handle on the blazes that have re-shaped Southern California, the thousands of people displaced by the wildfires are now facing the challenge of rebuilding. NBC's Dana Griffin reports in this week's Sunday Focus.

President Trump is facing mounting criticism after firing 18 inspectors general from federal agencies that were tasked with monitoring fraud, waste and abuse. This comes after the confirmation of two of Trump's high-profile cabinet picks and a slate of controversial nominees set to face confirmations hearings this week. NBC's Vaughn Hillyard reports for Sunday TODAY. Trump carried out deportations during his first week in office while promising raids in major cities like Chicago. NBC's Gabe Gutierrez reports for Sunday TODAY. Meet the Press moderator Kristen Welker joins Sunday TODAY's Willie Geist to discuss the reports that Republicans lawmakers may face pressure to get behind the remaining Trump cabinet nominees. The CIA issued a statement saying the COVID-19 virus likely originated from a Chinese lab, but it noted it has "low confidence" in its conclusion. A pair of giant pandas made their highly anticipated American debut at the Smithsonian's National Zoo in Washington, D.C. This marks the return of a tradition between the United States and China that dates back more than 50 years. NBC's Tom Costello reports in this week's Sunday Spotlight. The Super Bowl stage is almost set with the Kansas City Chiefs facing the Buffalo Bills in the AFC championship for a chance at their third consecutive Super Bowl title while the Washington Commanders take on the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC championship. NBC's Sam Brock reports for Sunday TODAY.

During the first-ever Sunday Sitdown Live, comedian Nate Bargatze tells Willie Geist and fans at City Winery in a New York City about the time when he was a water meter reader in Wilson County, Tennessee, where he would scan waterways for poison as fear swept the nation following the Sept. 11 attacks. The midair collision between a military helicopter and a regional jet near Washington D.C., have put air safety back in the spotlight after 15 years of no significant commercial airline crashes in the United States. NBC's Shaquille Brewster reports in this week's Sunday Focus. As music's most talented gear up for the 67th Grammy Awards, stars like Chappell Roan are favored to take home best new artist as Taylor Swift and Beyoncé face off in top categories. NBC's Dana Griffin reports for Sunday TODAY. All three soldiers who were on board the Army Black Hawk helicopter when it collided with an American Airlines regional jet near Washington D.C., on Jan. 29 have been identified. Meet the Press moderator Kristen Welker joins Sunday TODAY's Willie Geist with new reports of growing concern that Tulsi Gabbard's confirmation for her nomination for director of national intelligence nomination could be in jeopardy. After President Trump signed executive orders imposing massive tariffs on Canada, Mexico and China, the three countries vowed to retaliate with tariffs on the U.S. NBC's Yamiche Alcindor reports for Sunday TODAY.

Will Ferrell joins Willie Geist in Part Two of this week's Sunday Sitdown and reveals which of his "Saturday Night Live" characters he thinks isn't remembered the way it should be. Ferrell also shares details about his new comedy "You're Cordially Invited." President Donald Trump is set to become the first sitting president to ever attend the Super Bowl, making security even tighter than usual at the big game. Meanwhile, the President says he has spoken with Russia's President Vladimir Putin as the three-year anniversary of the start of the Ukraine war draws near. NBC's Aaron Gilchrist reports for Sunday TODAY. Meet the Press moderator Kristen Welker joins Joe Fryer on Sunday TODAY to discuss the two dozen lawsuits against President Donald Trump that are aimed at slowing down his attempts to reshape the federal government, cut jobs, freeze domestic and foreign spending and more. Recovery crews have now pulled all of the major pieces of wreckage from the Potomac River after the crash between a regional jet and Blackhawk helicopter. NTSB investigators are now going over every piece trying to figure out exactly what may have caused the crash. The Northeast is digging out from an overnight storm that dropped up to six inches of snow in some areas and now another storm is expected in just a matter of days. NBC's Maya Eaglin reports for Sunday TODAY. NBC's Joe Fryer runs through the Highs and Lows of the week on Sunday TODAY including the Philadelphia Eagles surprising a fan who was injured in the New Orleans terror attack with 2025 Super Bowl tickets, two cunning sisters with their plane seating hack and more! 

A sprawling storm pounded the Southeast leading to intense flash flooding. Nearly half a million people across Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Georgia are experiencing power outages. NBC's George Solis reports for Sunday TODAY. As President Donald Trump and Elon Musk work to downsize the federal government, tens of thousands of federal workers find themselves unemployed. Meanwhile, President Trump blindsided allies after revealing a call with Russian President Vladimir Putin, announcing they agree to begin negotiations to end the war in Ukraine. NBC's Aaron Gilchrist reports for Sunday TODAY. Meet the Press moderator Kristen Welker joins Sunday TODAY's Willie Geist with a preview of her exclusive interview with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and his concern about being cut out of negotiations between President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin to end the war in Ukraine. Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to discuss the ongoing ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. Their meeting comes just one day after three more hostages were released by Hamas. Pope Francis has been ordered to get complete rest as he continues to recover in a hospital from bronchitis. NBC's Meagan Fitzgerald reports for Sunday TODAY. The 4 Nations Face-Off hockey tournament between the United States and Canada had multiple fights break out after the U.S. national anthem was booed by fans. 

In this week's Sunday Sitdown, Academy Award-winning actor Renée Zellweger joins Willie Geist to discuss her return to the beloved character Bridget Jones in the latest installment of the blockbuster movie series, and the head-spinning whirlwind of her life after "Jerry Maguire." Catholics around the world are praying for Pope Francis who remains in critical condition at a Rome hospital while battling double pneumonia. The Vatican said on Saturday that the 88-year-old pontiff needed oxygen and blood transfusions. NBC's Anne Thompson reports and Dr. Natalie Azar provides health analysis for Sunday TODAY. Federal employees are on edge after weeks of mass firings and President Donald Trump urging Elon Musk and his DOGE team to "get more aggressive" on government cuts. Musk and his team emailed federal workers asking them to breakdown what work they did last week and said on X, "failure to respond will be taken as a resignation." NBC's Yamiche Alcindor reports for Sunday TODAY. Meet the Press moderator Kristen Welker joins Sunday TODAY's Willie Geist to discuss new polls on Trump's approval rating that have dipped below 50 percent and the growing outrage over mass layoffs. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is under intense pressure from the United States after President Trump pushed for American access to Ukraine's wealth of valuable minerals as part of a deal to end the war with Russia. It was a shock to Ukrainians when Trump adopted the role of peacemaker and blamed Zelenskyy for starting the war. NBC's Richard Engel reports in this week's Sunday Focus. 

In this week's Sunday Sitdown, Angela Bassett joins Willie Geist to talk about playing the president of the United States alongside Robert De Niro in the new Netflix series "Zero Day." Bassett also looks back on getting her big break in Hollywood and reflects on her time with the late "Black Panther" star Chadwick Boseman. The 97th Academy Awards will be held tonight, hosted by Conan O'Brien. The list of nominees is stacked with stars, like Timothée Chalamet as Bob Dylan, "Wicked" stars Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo, and Demi Moore, who is favored to win best actress after receiving her first Oscar nomination at 62 years old. NBC's Morgan Chesky reports in this week's Sunday Focus with what to watch for at the ceremony. U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer has called an emergency summit with Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy following a fiery exchange with President Donald Trump in the Oval Office. Starmer said the U.K. and France will take the lead on drafting a new ceasefire plan that they will present to the United States. NBC's Meagan Fitzgerald reports for Sunday TODAY. White House officials say that because of what played out in the Oval Office between President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, direct negotiations between the U.S. and Ukraine are on hold, and the White House could seek to withhold military aid. NBC's Vaughn Hillyard reports for Sunday TODAY. "Meet the Press" moderator Kristen Welker joins Sunday TODAY's Willie Geist to discuss the uncertain path to a peace deal between Ukraine and Russia after Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's tense meeting with President Donald Trump in the Oval Office. Israel blocked aid into Gaza and said it will not resume if Hamas does not accept its proposal to extend the current ceasefire. Israel warned Hamas of additional consequences if the militant group refuses to work out a new deal to extend the ceasefire. Former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced his candidacy for New York City mayor in a 17-minute video, saying he's entering the race because he believes the city is in crisis. The former governor resigned from office in 2021 amid sexual harassment allegations.

Firefighters are working to contain a series of brush fires that swept through New York's Long Island. High winds caused the fires to jump quickly and send smoke billowing for miles as New York's Gov. Kathy Hochul declares a state of emergency. The Secret Service reports it shot a man near the White House after agents were alerted to a "suicidal individual" in the area. They say the shooting happened "following an armed confrontation with law enforcement." No officers were injured and there is no word yet on the man's condition. "Meet the Press" moderator Kristen Welker joins Sunday TODAY's Willie Geist to discuss new reporting on what the Trump administration is going to require in order to restart military aid and intelligence sharing with Ukraine. Russia launched more than a 100 drones into Ukraine just one day after their biggest attack on the country this year. The new attacks come days after the U.S. suspended military aid to Ukraine and halted intelligence sharing. NBC's Molly Hunter reports for Sunday TODAY.  House Speaker Mike Johnson has unveiled a new short-term funding bill that would avert a potential government shutdown. In order for the bill to pass, it must have bipartisan support. NBC's Yamiche Alcindor reports for Sunday TODAY.  NBC's Maya Eaglin reports for Sunday TODAY. NASA's Space-X Crew-10 is scheduled to launch from the Kennedy Space Center on Wednesday night to the International Space Station. After they arrive, their Dragon capsule will serve as a ride home for Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams who have had an extended stay in space for nine months. NBC's Marissa Parra reports in this week's Sunday Focus. Sixty years ago, a peaceful march from Selma, Alabama to Montgomery turned bloody and became a seminal day in American history after unarmed demonstrators were attacked by police on the Edmund Pettus Bridge. Now, a coffee shop sits at the foot of the bridge and serves as a reminder of the segregated past and symbol of hope. NBC's Priscilla Thompson reports in this week's Sunday Spotlight.  

An outbreak of tornadoes ripped homes apart across the South and Midwest, including a massive twister caught on camera barreling through Mississippi. The same storm system is headed east with the extreme weather still a major threat. NBC's Kathy Park reports for Sunday TODAY. After a roughly 28-hour journey through space, Crew-10 has officially docked at the International Space Station. The Dragon Capsule is now set to be used by Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams to return to Earth after an unexpected nine-month stay in space. NBC's Marissa Parra reports for Sunday TODAY. U.S. fighters carried out arial attacks on Houthi rebels in Yemen, killing at least 30 people in an effort to stop Houthi attacks on ships in the region. Meanwhile, President Trump invoked the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 to target suspected members of a Venezuelan gang, which could allow the removal of unauthorized immigrants with little due process. NBC's Yamiche Alcindor reports for Sunday TODAY. At least 51 people have been killed and nearly 100 others hurt after a fire at a nightclub in North Macedonia. The interior minister says a local pop group was using pyrotechnics while performing when the roof caught fire. Some people have been detained but officials have not yet shared the reason. Meet the Press moderator Kristen Welker joins NBC's Hallie Jackson on Sunday TODAY to discuss new poll numbers that show how Americans feel about Trump's handling of the economy. President Donald Trump is on his way to fulfill another campaign promise of dismantling the Department of Education. The battle over federal involvement in local education is one that's been decades in the making, but what exactly do these recent cuts mean for students and their schooling? NBC's Rehema Ellis reports in this week's Sunday Focus. 

In this week's Sunday Sitdown, actor Eva Longoria joins Willie Geist for a tequila cocktail and to talk about her latest movie, "Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Road Trip." She also opens up about turning 50, her career in Hollywood and how her childhood shaped her career path, which ultimately led her to star in "Desperate Housewives." Authorities in New Mexico arrested two people, age 17 and 20, in connection to a mass shooting that occurred Friday night at a park in Las Cruces. At least three people were killed, and more than a dozen others were injured. Police say the shooting was a result of an altercation between two groups of people during a unsanctioned car show. Following the end of the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, Israeli military launched attacks in southern Gaza and claimed to have killed a senior Hamas official. Israel also attacked Hezbollah in Lebanon in a retaliation for a rocket attack. Meet the Press moderator Kristen Welker joins Sunday TODAY's Willie Geist to preview her conversation with Sen. Chuck Schumer about the growing frustration with Democratic leadership for not pushing back hard enough against President Donald Trump's administration. The Trump administration has reached an agreement with the government of Venezuela that will allow the United States to resume deportations flights of Venezuelan migrants who are in the country illegally. NBC's Yamiche Alcindor reports for Sunday TODAY. Pope Francis is back home at the Vatican after spending five weeks in the hospital for a severe case of pneumonia. Before his release, he spoke to a crowd from a hospital window. NBC's Raf Sanchez reports for Sunday TODAY.