NBC's Lauer Jokes Nancy Pelosi Needs 'Food Taster' for Birthday Gift from John Boehner

On Thursday's NBC Today, co-host Matt Lauer couldn't resist mocking a nice gesture [1] from House Speaker John Boehner to Democratic House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi. News reader Tamron Hall explained: "...the House Speaker knows that his Democratic counterpart Nancy Pelosi just loves chocolate. So, for her 74th birthday on Wednesday he gave her something sweet, pints of chocolate gelato." [Listen to the audio [2]]

Moments later, Lauer remarked: "If there's ever a need for a food taster, that would be it right there." After a chorus of "ohs" from his fellow hosts, he added: "I'm kidding."

This is not the first time someone in the press has suggested Republicans might have poisoned someone's food. Back in February, ABC White House correspondent Jonathan Karl claimed that conservative Texas Senator Ted Cruz was "so hated among his Republicans" in the Senate that "he's going to need a food taster." [3]

Here is a transcript of the March 27 exchange on Today:

8:14 AM ET

TAMRON HALL: Maybe John Boehner was trying to be likable at work, because the House Speaker knows that his Democratic counterpart Nancy Pelosi just loves chocolate. So, for her 74th birthday on Wednesday he gave her something sweet, pints of chocolate gelato.

[ON-SCREEN HEADLINE: Sinfully Delicious; Nancy Pelosi's Birthday Gift From John Boehner]

He sent the treats with a note saying "Here's hoping and guessing you don't – or didn't give up chocolate for Lent." Well, she did.

[LAUGHTER]

Pelosi posted this picture of the gift on Instagram thanking Speaker Boehner, but adding that his kind gesture is testing her. How about that?

MATT LAUER: If there's ever a need for a food taster, that would be it right there. I'm kidding.