NBC News star Vicky Nguyen branded ‘insufferable’ and ‘patronizing’ over on-air clash with Carson Daly

NBC News host Vicky Nguyen has hit back at a viewer who branded her as ‘insufferable’ and ‘incredibly patronizing’ following an on-air clash with Carson Daly.

Nguyen, 47, appeared on the Today show on Friday during the Best Ways segment, a recurring feature dedicated to sharing life hacks and expert advice.

Nguyen and hosts Daly, Al Roker, Laura Jarrett and Craig Melvin discussed the ‘best way’ to BBQ during the episode, when Daly shared a few of his favorite grilling tips.

But things turned tense briefly when Nguyen sarcastically said to Daly: ‘Thank you for mansplaining that, Carson.’

He took the quip in stride, as he responded: ‘I am just passionate about the grill.’

The rest of the hosts laughed while Nguyen playfully nudged the Today star, before Roker chimed in: ‘You come for the grill advice and stay for the boom.’

While the moment passed quickly, it seemed to rub one viewer the wrong way.

Nguyen revealed via Instagram on Monday that she had received an email from an outraged fan who claimed she owed Daly ‘an apology’ for the comment.

She shared a screenshot of the angry message, which read: ‘You owe Mr Daly an apology for your “mansplaining” comment. 

‘It’s actually quite ironic that you’d say that considering your pieces are incredibly patronizing.’

‘Your work treats viewers as if we’re idiots every time you’re on the screen,’ the viewer went on.

‘I wish one of your cohosts would say to you, “Thanks for the elite-splaining that to the unwashed masses” and give YOU  a phone hug.’

They then urged her to ‘get off her high horse,’ before concluding: ‘I know this is only being read by an assistant who will never pass it on, but at least I hope it gives you a smile if you find your boss as insufferable as the average viewer does.’

Nguyen captioned the screenshot with: ‘It’s hard out here for a consumer reporter.’ 

Daly made it clear there was no hard feelings as he jokingly commented: ‘I see you got my letter! Love ya, Vicky,’ to which she replied: ‘Phew, I’m glad we’re good.’

Nguyen joined NBC News in April 2019 as the Investigative and Consumer correspondent and she often appears on the Today show, NBC News Now and MSNBC.

She has become known for her Emmy-winning reporting and chic on-air looks.

Back in 2024, she went viral after she made an accidental fashion faux pas after forgetting an important component of her outfit during an appearance on the Today show.

At the time, Nguyen, who was dressed in a chic purple suit, revealed she had forgotten her shoes at home and was forced to wear UGG slippers live on air.

Colleague Peter Alexander couldn’t resist the urge to call out Nguyen for her choice of shoes, which he described as ‘Christmas slippers.’

‘Would you kick up your heels?’ he asked as the cameras panned to her neon UGGs.

‘Oh no no,’ the mother-of-three responded with a laugh as he brought attention to her wardrobe mishap. 

In response to his teasing, she explained: ‘Look, this is a day after Christmas… It was kind of like a mom brain moment when I thought I had the shoes but didn’t have the shoes.’ 

‘Listen, they’re very comfortable, I will say,’ she mused.