A 41-year-old man has been charged with hate crime, criminal trespass, and harassment following an alleged incident at NBC's Rockefeller Plaza studios in New York. Andrew Truelove was arrested after reportedly breaching security and confronting Today show co-host Craig Melvin while uttering a racial slur. The incident, which occurred on Thursday morning, has prompted a review of security protocols at the broadcast giant.
Police reports indicate that Truelove initially requested to see long-standing Today host Al Roker before managing to bypass studio security. He then entered a restricted area where the alleged confrontation with Melvin took place. A police spokesperson confirmed that officers responded to reports of a disorderly person inside 30 Rockefeller Center and took an individual into custody.
Craig Melvin, 47, addressed the incident on Thursday evening, reassuring fans via Instagram that he was "doing just fine." He expressed gratitude for the outpouring of support and confirmed he would be back on air the following morning. NBC issued a statement acknowledging that an individual entered an unauthorised area near Studio 1A and approached Melvin, who then alerted security. The individual was subsequently detained by law enforcement without further incident, and NBC stated there was no physical altercation and no injuries.
Public records reveal a history of criminal incidents involving Truelove over the past year. These include recent charges, unrelated to the Today show incident, for reckless endangerment, criminal trespass, and third-degree assault, to which he has pleaded not guilty. In June, Truelove pleaded guilty to felony criminal mischief for damaging multiple vehicles, receiving a sentence of six months in jail, five years’ probation, and a fine of $375. The duration of his jail sentence served before Thursday's alleged incident remains unclear.
NBC has affirmed its full cooperation with law enforcement in their investigation and reiterated its commitment to employee, talent, staff, and guest safety. The broadcaster is currently reviewing the incident and its existing security measures to ensure a secure environment for everyone at its studios. Melvin joined the Today show in 2018 and took over from Hoda Kotb as Savannah Guthrie’s co-anchor for the programme's initial two hours in January 2025.