Michael Strahan jokes 'GMA' co-host Sam Champion tried to make George Stephanopoulos 'cry' on live TV

Sam Champion was discussing the 'GMA family' when he congratulated George Stephanopoulos' daughter Elliot and Lara Spencer's son Duff on their graduations
PUBLISHED MAY 28, 2025
Michael Strahan jokingly called out his co-host Sam Champion for trying to make George Stephanopoulos cry after his eldest daughter Elliott's graduation (ABC News/YouTube)
Michael Strahan jokingly called out his co-host Sam Champion for trying to make George Stephanopoulos cry after his eldest daughter Elliott's graduation (ABC News/YouTube)

MANHATTAN, NEW YORK CITY: Michael Strahan jokingly called out his co-host Sam Champion for trying to make George Stephanopoulos cry over his eldest daughter Elliott's graduation from Brown University.

Champion was discussing the "GMA family" on Tuesday’s episode when he congratulated Stephanopoulos' daughter and Lara Spencer's son, Duff, on their graduations.

"We also want to pay and say congratulations to the next generation GMA family, accepting their degrees," the host said, before adding, "Lara's son, Duff – I remember Duff as the tiniest little baby, right – walked across the stage at Southern Methodist University.”

"Lara saying on Instagram, 'It's the close of a chapter but with friendships that will last a lifetime,' and that's exactly true,” he continued, according to Hello Magazine.



 

Michael Strahan accuses Sam Champion of trying to make George Stephanopoulos 'cry'

While speaking about Elliott’s graduation, Champion presented heartwarming photos of Stephanopoulos, his wife Ali Wentworth, and their daughter at the graduation ceremony.

"Were you emotional?" the host asked Stephanopoulos, to which he replied, "Of course, I was."


 
 
 
 
 
View this post on Instagram
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by George Stephanopoulos (@gstephanopoulos)


 

Michael Strahan quickly intervened to mock Champion, adding, "Look at you trying to make George cry on national TV right now."

While Champion and co-host Robin Roberts laughed at the statement, Stephanopoulos quickly admitted that he was on the verge of tears.

While speaking about Elliott’s graduation, GMA host Sam Champion presented heartwarming photos of George Stephanopoulos, his wife Ali Wentworth, and their daughter at the graduation ceremony. (George Stephanopoulos/Instagram)
While speaking about Elliott’s graduation, 'GMA' host Sam Champion presented heartwarming photos of George Stephanopoulos, his wife Ali Wentworth, and their daughter at the graduation ceremony (George Stephanopoulos/Instagram)

"Michael's right, I was going to start to tear up," the presenter joked before sharing a peek into graduation day as a photo of him and his youngest daughter Harper eating burritos in the stands was shown on screen.

"Brown ceremonies are fantastic, but they are very, very long. We started at, I think, eight in the morning. That [photo] was probably around 2 pm... it was a really great day, and we're so proud of Elliot. Congratulations,” he explained.

George Stephanopoulos and Ali Wentworth ‘proud’ of daughter

George Stephanopoulos was every inch a proud father as he spent Memorial Day weekend watching his daughter Elliott graduate. The ‘GMA’ host celebrated the milestone by sharing a slew of touching photos, recapping his 21-year-old’s special graduation day.

"We have a college graduate!!!" he wrote in his caption, before adding "Congratulations to Elliott, and to the entire class of 2025. We love you and are so proud of you, E!"


 
 
 
 
 
View this post on Instagram
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Ali Wentworth (@therealaliwentworth)


 

Stephanopoulos’ wife Ali Wentworth also uploaded a tribute post to Elliot over her graduation.

"She did it! Happy graduation to an incredible human being who has her father’s brain and my legs. And if it was the other way around- she’d be screwed. Proud parents! All our children deserve an education!" the ‘Parent Test’ actress captioned the post.

In addition to their daughter Elliott, the couple is also parents to daughter Harper, 19.

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