Peter Alexander leaving 'Today' show after 22 years with NBC News

NBC News chief White House correspondent Peter Alexander announced he is leaving the Saturday edition of the Today show after 22 years to spend more time with his family. He revealed the decision in an emotional March 28 segment, citing the long commute from Washington, D.C., and a desire for better work‑life balance. His departure follows a recent pattern of high‑profile anchors citing family priorities.

Peter Alexander is signing off.

The NBC News chief White House correspondent and Saturday "Today" cohost, 49, has revealed he is leaving the network after 22 years.1 / 3

Alexander shared the news in an emotional Saturday "Today" segment on March 28. He said he made the decision so he could spend more time with his family, noting he lives in Washington, DC, a "trek" from the "Today" show studio in New York City.

"I've been away from my home more than 80 nights in the last seven months, more than 220 Friday nights away from my family in the last seven years," Alexander said. "So in this limited window before my daughters lose interest in hanging out with me — it's already happened quick — I'm eager to carve out a better balance between my personal and professional lives and to challenge myself with something new."

He continued, "I'm excited. As I was taught, family first, the rest is details."

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Anderson Cooper leaving '60 Minutes' after nearly 20 years

Alexander joined NBC News in 2004, and he was tapped to serve as coanchor of the Saturday edition of the "Today" show in 2018.

As White House correspondent for NBC News, Alexander has covered the presidencies of Barack Obama, Joe Biden and Donald Trump. During a March 2020 briefing at the White House, Trump labeled Alexander a "terrible reporter" after the journalist asked if the president was giving Americans a "false sense of hope" by trying to put a "positive spin on things" amid the COVID-19 pandemic.2 / 3

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Alexander also noted he spoke about his decision with Savannah Guthrie, who recently announced she will return to "Today" on April 6 after being absent for two months amid the disappearance of her 84-year-old mother, Nancy Guthrie.3 / 3

"I had a chance to exchange messages with our friend Savannah, who I love so much, as well, and I'm thrilled that she's going to come back here, and we'll continue to pray for her," he said.

Alexander is the latest TV anchor to announce a major change in their broadcasting duties while citing a desire to spend more time with their kids. In February, Anderson Cooper said he would be leaving CBS News' "60 Minutes," where he had been a correspondent on top of his work at CNN.

"For nearly twenty years, I've been able to balance my jobs at CNN and CBS, but I have little kids now and I want to spend as much time with them as possible, while they still want to spend time with me," Cooper said.