Trump Tells Press to Move On From Nancy Guthrie — But the Case Is Still Wide Open
| ONGOING CASE: Nancy Guthrie, 84, has been missing since February 1, 2026. She has not been found. No suspect has been charged. |
A Presidency Speaks, a Nation Listens — and a Family Waits
Nearly three weeks after 84-year-old Nancy Guthrie vanished from her Tucson, Arizona home, President Trump did something that turned heads across the country. Aboard Air Force One on February 19, he told reporters it was time to move on.
Not from the investigation — but from the wall-to-wall press coverage that has gripped America since the suspected kidnapping on February 1. At the same time, Trump fired his sharpest criticism yet at Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos, accusing him of tipping off potential kidnappers by revealing investigative tactics to the media.
It was a striking moment. Trump — who had previously praised Fox News’ coverage, offered federal resources to the case, and threatened kidnappers with the death penalty — was now telling reporters to redirect their attention. Here’s the full context.
1. What Did Trump Actually Say?
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Trump made his comments to reporters aboard Air Force One on the evening of February 19, 2026 — Day 19 of Nancy Guthrie’s disappearance.
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Trump quickly ended the interview when he was told the plane was about to take off. Before doing so, he directly criticized Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos for revealing in a press conference that investigators were using a Bluetooth “sniffer” device — mounted on a helicopter — to detect signals from Nancy Guthrie’s pacemaker.
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The White House did not clarify Trump’s remarks further. His press secretary Karoline Leavitt had previously said FBI Director Kash Patel assured her the bureau was on the ground in Arizona offering full federal resources.
2. What Is the Nancy Guthrie Case?
Nancy Guthrie is the 84-year-old mother of Savannah Guthrie, co-host of NBC’s “Today” show. She was last seen on the evening of Saturday, January 31, 2026, when she was dropped off at her home in the Catalina Foothills neighborhood of Tucson, Arizona.
She was reported missing the following day, Sunday, February 1, after she failed to attend her regular Sunday church service. Authorities believe she was abducted. Her pacemaker’s app disconnected from her phone at 2:28 a.m. on February 1. A doorbell camera in front of her home disconnected at 1:47 a.m., and footage captured a person outside at 2:12 a.m.
Within days, suspected ransom notes demanding millions of dollars in Bitcoin were sent to TMZ and two local news outlets. Two deadlines in the notes passed without resolution. Savannah Guthrie and her siblings — Camron and Annie Guthrie — posted emotional video pleas calling for proof of life and urging the captors to make contact.
The case quickly became one of the most-covered missing person stories in recent American history, generating wall-to-wall national news coverage, an FBI reward raised to $100,000, and repeated presidential commentary.
3. Why Trump Criticized the Sheriff — The Pacemaker Controversy
The specific trigger for Trump’s criticism on February 19 was a press update from Sheriff Nanos’s office. During a public press conference, investigators revealed they were using a helicopter equipped with an FBI Bluetooth “sniffer” device designed to detect radio frequency emissions from Nancy Guthrie’s pacemaker.
The idea: pacemakers emit identifiable signals. A Bluetooth-sniffing aircraft could theoretically pinpoint her location if she were alive and her pacemaker were still functioning.
Trump’s concern, shared by law enforcement critics, was straightforward: by publicly announcing the tactic before deploying it, the sheriff’s team may have inadvertently alerted the abductors. If captors knew investigators were trying to track the pacemaker, they could take steps to disable or block it — eliminating one of the best potential tools for finding Nancy Guthrie alive.
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It was Trump’s first direct public criticism of Sheriff Nanos, though tensions between local and federal authorities had reportedly been building for weeks.
4. The Sheriff vs. the FBI: A Turf War Behind the Scenes
Behind the headlines of the search effort, a separate battle was reportedly being fought between the Pima County Sheriff’s Department and the FBI. Sources within law enforcement told Fox News Digital that Sheriff Nanos blocked the FBI from accessing key evidence.
Specifically, allegations emerged that Nanos insisted on processing critical evidence — including a glove found near the scene and DNA samples from Guthrie’s home — at a private lab in Florida rather than the FBI’s national crime laboratory in Quantico, Virginia. Critics argued this created delays and required the FBI to potentially re-test evidence.
What the Sheriff Said
Nanos denied the allegations in a Fox News interview. He said his department had been contracted with the Florida lab for decades and that the FBI agreed early in the investigation to continue sending evidence there. He said calling on the FBI the next working day after Guthrie’s disappearance showed his department was not trying to control the case.
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Nanos also denied finding the glove at Guthrie’s property, disputing some of the reporting. The public clash between local and federal authorities — played out in press conferences and media reports — has added another layer of frustration to an already agonizing case.
5. Key Evidence in the Nancy Guthrie Disappearance
| Evidence Item | Status / Significance |
| Doorbell camera footage | Camera disconnected at 1:47 a.m. Feb. 1; person visible at 2:12 a.m. |
| Blood on front porch | Confirmed as Nancy Guthrie’s blood via DNA testing |
| Pacemaker signal data | App disconnected at 2:28 a.m.; FBI Bluetooth helicopter deployed |
| Glove found near scene | DNA appears to match glove worn by suspect in doorbell footage |
| Ozark Trail backpack | Suspect seen wearing black 25-liter ‘Ozark Trail Hiker Pack’; Walmart stock investigated |
| Suspect description | Male, ~5’9”–5’10”, average build, masked, armed |
| Ransom notes | Sent to TMZ and two local outlets; demanded Bitcoin; deadlines passed |
| Reward | Raised from $50,000 to $100,000 for information on her whereabouts |
6. Timeline: 20 Days of Searching
| Date | Development |
| Jan. 31, 2026 | Nancy Guthrie last seen; dropped at her Tucson home in the evening |
| Feb. 1, 2026 | Reported missing after failing to attend Sunday church service; abduction suspected; pacemaker app disconnects at 2:28 a.m. |
| Feb. 3, 2026 | TMZ receives apparent ransom note demanding Bitcoin |
| Feb. 4, 2026 | Savannah, Camron, and Annie Guthrie post video plea; candlelight service held |
| Feb. 5, 2026 | Pima County Sheriff holds press conference; blood on porch confirmed as Nancy’s |
| Feb. 7, 2026 | Trump says investigators have “strong clues” and answers “fairly soon” |
| Feb. 9, 2026 | Second ransom deadline passes without resolution |
| Feb. 10, 2026 | Authorities release images of suspect tampering with doorbell camera |
| Feb. 11, 2026 | FBI conducts neighborhood canvass; Ozark Trail backpack identified |
| Feb. 13, 2026 | Trump says FBI progress made; addresses cartel involvement question |
| Feb. 16, 2026 | Trump says kidnappers should face death penalty if Nancy is found dead |
| Feb. 19, 2026 | Trump criticizes Sheriff Nanos over pacemaker disclosure; tells press to ‘move on’ to other subjects |
7. Trump’s Previous Comments on the Case
February 19’s remarks marked a notable tonal shift for Trump. He had previously been deeply engaged with the case, offering consistent updates and expressing optimism.
A Chronology of Trump’s Nancy Guthrie Statements
- February 1: Offered federal assistance from the Oval Office, called the situation “terrible,” noted he “always got along very good with Savannah”
- February 7: Said investigators have “strong clues” and answers may come “fairly soon.” Added: “I’m not talking about a search, I’m talking about a solution”
- February 13: Said progress has been made since FBI got involved; declined to confirm suspect; addressed cartel question saying “somebody either knew what they were doing very well, or they were rank amateurs”
- February 16: Said he would direct the DOJ to seek the death penalty against kidnappers if Nancy is found dead; called it “the most severe” consequence
- February 19: Criticized Sheriff Nanos over pacemaker revelation; told press to ‘start reporting on other subjects’
8. Reactions to Trump’s ‘Move On’ Remarks
Trump’s suggestion that media coverage should shift drew varied responses. Several observers noted the tension in a president simultaneously calling for less coverage while continuing to comment on the case himself.
Critics pointed out that high-profile media attention in missing person cases has historically helped generate tips and maintain public pressure on investigators. Others argued Trump’s larger point — about the sheriff’s tactical disclosures — was more significant than the ‘move on’ comment.
Savannah Guthrie and her family have not publicly responded to Trump’s February 19 remarks. They have maintained a focus on pleading for their mother’s safe return throughout the ordeal.
Raw Story described the comments as “word salad” that “left observers taken aback.” Yahoo News and People Magazine both reported the remarks without editorializing on the appropriateness of the call to move on while the case remains unsolved.
9. Key Takeaways
- On February 19, 2026, President Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One that media should ‘start reporting on other subjects’ regarding the Nancy Guthrie case
- Trump called it “a very sad situation” while simultaneously making his first direct public criticism of Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos
- Trump criticized Nanos for publicly revealing that investigators were using a Bluetooth helicopter to detect Nancy Guthrie’s pacemaker — arguing it could have tipped off abductors
- A behind-the-scenes turf war between the Sheriff’s office and the FBI has reportedly complicated the investigation
- As of February 20, 2026, Nancy Guthrie has been missing for 20 days; she has not been found and no suspect has been charged
- Key evidence includes blood confirmed as hers on the porch, a glove with matching DNA, suspect footage, and a Bitcoin ransom note
- The reward for information stands at $100,000
10. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Why did Trump say to move on from Nancy Guthrie coverage?
On February 19, 2026, Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One that the press should ‘start reporting on other subjects.’ He framed it as part of broader comments criticizing the Pima County Sheriff’s handling of the investigation, particularly for revealing tactical information publicly.
Who is Nancy Guthrie?
Nancy Guthrie is the 84-year-old mother of NBC ‘Today’ show co-host Savannah Guthrie. She disappeared from her home in the Catalina Foothills neighborhood of Tucson, Arizona on the night of January 31 / early morning of February 1, 2026.
Has Nancy Guthrie been found?
No. As of February 20, 2026, Nancy Guthrie has not been found. She has been missing for 20 days. No suspect has been arrested or charged in connection with her disappearance.
Why did Trump criticize Sheriff Nanos?
Trump criticized Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos for publicly disclosing that investigators were using a Bluetooth-equipped helicopter to detect signals from Nancy Guthrie’s pacemaker. Trump argued that announcing this tactic before using it could have allowed abductors to take countermeasures.
What evidence has been found in the Nancy Guthrie case?
Key evidence includes blood on her front porch confirmed as hers, doorbell camera footage of a suspect, a glove with DNA that appears to match the suspect’s, identification of the suspect’s backpack brand (Ozark Trail), a suspect description, and ransom notes demanding Bitcoin.
Is the FBI involved in the Nancy Guthrie case?
Yes. The FBI has been actively involved in the investigation alongside the Pima County Sheriff’s Department. However, reports indicate tensions between the two agencies over evidence handling and jurisdictional control.
What has Trump previously said about the Nancy Guthrie case?
Trump has commented on the case multiple times since February 1, offering federal resources, expressing optimism about clues, declining to confirm suspects, and stating on February 16 that he would seek the death penalty for kidnappers if Nancy is found dead.
Sources
- Yahoo News / New York Post — Trump tells press to move on from Guthrie case (Feb. 19, 2026)
- People Magazine — Trump ready to move on from Nancy Guthrie investigation (Feb. 19, 2026)
- com / Arizona Daily Star — Trump urges media to move on (Feb. 19, 2026)
- Trending Politics News — Trump torches sheriff over pacemaker disclosure (Feb. 19, 2026)
- Deadline / Hollywood Reporter — Trump on FBI involvement and cartel question (Feb. 13, 2026)
- Variety — Trump says investigation going ‘very well’ (Feb. 7, 2026)
- Fox News — Trump backs FBI; comments on cartel involvement (Feb. 13, 2026)
- Raw Story — Trump ‘word salad’ on Guthrie kidnapping (Feb. 19, 2026)
Note: This article reflects verified information as of February 20, 2026. The Nancy Guthrie disappearance investigation is active and ongoing. Updates will be reflected as new information is confirmed.
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