Craig Melvin Absent from Today Show Following Intruder Incident
Craig Melvin was absent from the broadcast of the Today show on Monday, July 20, due to a concerning incident involving an intruder on set.
Savannah Guthrie opened the show on Monday alongside Sheinelle Jones, mentioning that Melvin, 47, was on “a little family vacation.” The hosts discussed the thrilling final of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, featuring Spain and Argentina, before moving on to the day’s top news stories.
Melvin’s absence follows an alarming event where a man infiltrated security at the Today show’s New York City studio on Thursday, July 16. The intruder, later identified as Andrew Truelove, initially sought out Al Roker but ended up approaching Melvin, lunging at him while yelling a racial slur.
“This morning, a security incident occurred at the TODAY show studio. An unauthorized individual entered a vestibule near Studio 1A,” NBC’s statement on Thursday read. “The person approached Craig Melvin, who promptly alerted security. The individual was detained and taken into custody by law enforcement without further incident. There was no altercation, and everyone is unharmed.”
The statement further explained, “TODAY is cooperating fully with law enforcement during their investigation. NBC and TODAY prioritize the safety and security of all employees, talent, staff, and guests. We are reviewing this incident and our security protocols to ensure a safe environment for those in and visiting our studios.”
Us confirmed that both Melvin and Roker, 71, secured a restraining order against Truelove, 41, who faces several charges. Additionally, multiple sources have reported that a security guard was dismissed following the incident.
Melvin shared his thoughts on the event via social media on Thursday, stating, “Hey everyone. I’ve heard from so many of you over the last few hours. I’m doing just fine. Thank you for reaching out. I look forward to seeing you tomorrow morning on @todayshow.”
During the broadcast on Friday, July 17, he provided further reassurance to viewers, confirming that he was “safe and sound.”
“You might have heard that, regrettably, an intruder got into an unauthorized section here at Studio 1A,” Melvin stated. “Thankfully, he was quickly apprehended [and] arrested.”
He added, “We are fully cooperating with the NYPD as they continue their investigation, and we are just very glad that everyone is safe.”
Roker also posted a message on social media before Friday’s episode, expressing, “A heartfelt thank you to all who reached out in the past 24 hours to check on my brother, @craigmelvinnbc … Situations like these unite us.” He emphasized, “You all, like Craig, said ‘You come after one of us, you come after all of us.’ We’ll discuss this morning on @todayshow.”
