Kathie Lee Gifford recently shared an extraordinary story during an appearance on the Sage Steele Podcast, a moment that stunned listeners and shed light on a lesser-known chapter of her life. Seated comfortably in a knitted sweater and jeans, the legendary TV host and singer-songwriter took a reflective journey through her decades-long career, the lingering grief of losing her husband, Frank Gifford, and the complexities of her friendship with President Donald Trump.
The conversation took an unexpected turn when Kathie recounted a chilling incident from 31 years ago—a time when she was preparing to host the Miss America Pageant. She had her newborn daughter by her side when the FBI contacted Frank with an urgent warning: a dangerous criminal was on the loose and had targeted his wife.
The FBI advised Frank to continue as if nothing was wrong, so the suspect wouldn’t realize he was under surveillance. But Frank wasn’t willing to take any risks with his wife and child’s safety. With fear tightening its grip, he turned to someone he trusted implicitly—Donald Trump.
Kathie became emotional as she recalled Frank’s conversation with the future president. “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,’” she shared, her voice thick with emotion.
Frank, reassured by Trump’s words, called the FBI back and told them he had Donald’s word that he would handle the situation. Meanwhile, Kathie had no idea any of this was happening.
The next day, she received a call from Trump himself. He was sending his private helicopter to ensure that she and her daughter made it home safely. He also arranged for a personal security team to protect her, ensuring that she was surrounded by trained professionals until the threat was neutralized.
Kathie vividly remembered the moment she realized just how serious the situation was. “There were four of his security guys there,” she recounted, still processing the extent of Trump’s intervention even decades later.
For days, she had round-the-clock protection, with armed guards stationed outside her hotel room. But it wasn’t until the morning of the pageant that the full reality of the danger she had been in finally hit her.
As she casually picked up a newspaper over breakfast, a bold headline caught her attention. It detailed a death threat against her—one she had been oblivious to at the time. “I read it and thought, ‘Oh, I’m kind of interested in that story,’” she recalled. That moment, sitting in her hotel room, was when she fully grasped the extent of the danger and the immense lengths that had been taken to ensure her safety.
Despite the frightening revelation, Kathie refused to back down. When she was asked if she wanted to cancel her hosting duties, her response was firm: “Hell no! Nobody’s going to make me afraid.”
