Kathie Lee Gifford Reveals How Donald Trump ‘Saved’ Her and Her Daughter’s Lives in the ’90s – Video

During the interview, she reflected on many things, including her decades-long career, the enduring grief of losing her husband, Frank Gifford, and her complex friendship with President Donald Trump.

Dressed casually in a knitted sweater and jeans, Kathie also shared a harrowing story from 31 years ago when she was preparing to host the Miss America Pageant.

She had her newborn daughter with her when the FBI contacted her husband, warning that a dangerous criminal was on the loose and targeting his wife.

The FBI urged Frank to continue as if nothing was wrong so the criminal wouldn't realize they were onto him. Frank, however, refused to proceed without securing his wife's safety.

Amid the chaos, he immediately turned to none other than Donald for help. The president, without hesitation, assured Frank that he would handle the situation personally.

“[…] Donald said — this is why I will love this man for my whole life — he said, ‘Frank don't you worry about it. I've got your girls. I've got your girls and don't you worry,” Kathie recalled, holding back tears.

According to the singer-songwriter, Frank then called the FBI back, informing them that he had Donald's word that he would take care of the situation.

Knowing nothing about what was going on, Kathie then received a call from Donald himself the next day, who told her he was sending his private helicopter to ensure she and her daughter returned home safely, as well as security guards for her protection.

She was then greeted by an extensive security detail, courtesy of Donald. “There were four of his security guys there,” she recalled, still piecing together the extent of his intervention.

For days, she unknowingly had round-the-clock protection, with armed guards stationed outside her hotel room. It wasn't until the day of the pageant that she fully grasped the gravity of the situation.

Picking up a newspaper, she was stunned to see a headline about a death threat against her. “I read it and thought, ‘Oh, I'm kind of interested in that story,'” she recounted. Only then did she realize the extent of the danger and the measures that had been taken to protect her.

Despite the chilling revelation, Kathie refused to be intimidated. When asked if she wanted to back out of hosting, she responded firmly, “Hell no! Nobody's going to make me afraid.”

The show went on as planned, with Donald's security detail remaining by her side. After the pageant, Kathie was discreetly taken home via a different route to avoid any lingering threats. Unbeknownst to her, an FBI agent had also been stationed at her home in Connecticut, protecting her three-year-old son, Cody.

Days later, while at the movies with her son, an FBI agent approached her with the news that the suspect had been captured. His capture brought relief, but the terrifying ordeal remained a vivid memory.

“That's my friend. Donald saved my life, saved my daughter's life and if I called him today [he] would save it again. […] People don't know that about him,” Kathie said.

Her story sheds light on a lesser-known side of Donald, offering a glimpse into their friendship and the gratitude she still holds for him to this day.

Her recent appearance on the “Sage Steele Podcast” isn't the only time Kathie Lee Gifford has made headlines lately. Just weeks earlier, she joined “Today” for Hoda Kotb's farewell episode, where her look sparked a wave of reactions.

Kathie surprised Hoda during her final day on the “Today with Jenna & Friends” show on January 10. However, while her appearance added elegance to the occasion, a video shared online sparked mixed reactions from netizens.

In the video, Jenna Bush Hager told Hoda that a close friend had sent her a special message. A screen then appeared, showing Kathie speaking from Tennessee. The 71-year-old TV personality reflected on their shared memories and the joy of their bond.

“I always loved hugging you and just drench in that beautiful sunshine of a smile you have,” she said warmly. Apologizing for her absence, she joked, “I'm sorry to miss your big day. But you know I'm very busy. Very busy, very important. Not!” She ended the message, “I love you, sweetheart! So excited for you.”

As the video ended, Jenna surprised Hoda further by revealing that Kathie's recorded message from Tennessee was a “lie,” catching her off guard and adding to the emotional moment.

Kathie then entered the studio dressed in a black lace dress, exuding timeless sophistication. Her long, wavy blonde hair and subtle makeup enhanced her radiant appearance.

Pink and purple balloons adorned the studio, creating a festive atmosphere. Kathie stood confidently amid the decorations and later joined Hoda and Jenna for an emotional conversation.

Kathie's appearance drew mixed reactions online. Some praised her timeless beauty, while others speculated about cosmetic enhancements.

“I didn't even recognize her she's done way too much with her face,” one commenter noted. Someone else exclaimed, “Botox!” while another speculated, “Loads of Plastic surgery there Kathy. Gotta own your real age one day [sic].”

Some netizens jokingly questioned cosmetic changes among public figures, while others compared Kathie's appearance to that of pop star Mariah Carey.

Amidst the critiques, others shared positive sentiments. “She looks so good!!!” wrote one admirer, followed by another declaring, “Kathie Lee looks better than ever. BRAVO! [sic]” Another gushed, “Kathie Lee is so pretty.”

One viewer praised Kathie's unique presence and unwavering support for colleagues during pivotal moments, referencing her appearances for Hoda and the late TV presenter Regis Philbin.

Despite the divided reactions online, Kathie seemed fully present as she celebrated Hoda's final day on the show. In a separate interview with Dr. Mehmet Oz on “The Dr. Oz Show,” Kathie offered a glimpse into the personal and professional reasons behind her transformation.

She explained that her weight loss stemmed from preparing for a movie role she had written for herself and Craig Ferguson.

“The character is named Annabelle, and she's newly widowed. And she is a runner…she deals with her pain by — She's always been a runner but she deals with it by…running. I started getting in training for that long before I started shooting the movie,” she said.

Grief also played a significant role following the death of her husband in 2015. “I'd lost weight right after my own husband had passed away because that's why they call it a diet — they die, and you don't want to eat…I don't even remember eating after Frank passed,” she shared, adding that she has never been a big eater.

In a 2017 interview with Prevention, she reflected on aging with gratitude.

“All day long, life is about choice. Am I going to bemoan the fact that I'm 64 years old or say, ‘Thank you, Lord, I made it to 64'? I'm healthy, I'm employed, my kids are awesome, life is good. I'm grateful. I think the most important reason to love your age is to be grateful for everything,” Kathie shared.

She added with her signature humor, “If you grieve what you've lost in life at the expense of being grateful for what you have, you might as well take a dirt nap.”