Intruder Bursts Into “Today” Show Studio & Yells At Host Craig Melvin
on Jul 16, 2026
A man has been arrested after bursting into the TODAY show studio around 9 AM ET on Thursday morning (July 16th).
Law enforcement sources told TMZ that the intruder managed to slip past security. TMZ says they were told the man was unarmed, and that he entered through a stairwell before making his way backstage.
Upon his arrival, the intruder allegedly asked to see weatherman Al Roker. When he couldn’t find Roker, he turned to co-host Craig Melvin. TMZ reports that the intruder “allegedly lunged at” Melvin while yelling a racial slur.
Staff and security rushed onto the scene soon after. The intruder was swiftly arrested, although he has not yet been publicly identified.
🔗: https://t.co/HVy638CBLu
— People (@people) July 16, 2026
A man was detained after breaking into the 'Today' show’s studio in New York City on Thursday and confronting co-host Craig Melvin, yelling racial slurs, a source tells PEOPLE.
📷️: John Nacion/FilmMagic pic.twitter.com/ngBw1yXnoK
What Other Sources Say About The TODAY Show Intruder
PEOPLE jumped in to offer additional confirmation, reporting that “a source” confirmed similar details with them. PEOPLE also reports that the intruder “confronted” Melvin and was heard yelling racial slurs at the co-anchor.
Deadline confirmed that the incident occurred around 9 AM ET on Thursday morning. The outlet reports that no one was injured, and the whole thing happened off-air. Both Melvin and Roker appeared on TODAY’s morning broadcast shortly after, and neither mentioned what happened.
PEOPLE reached out to TODAY show reps for comment. As of press time, they have not responded.
This is a developing story…
