Billy Bush Apologizes For Lewd Comments On Donald Video Tape

Billy Bush, former host of Access Hollywood, has come under fire for a 2005 video of him and Donald Trump making lewd comments about women. Bush was talking to Trump on the set of Days of Our Lives, where Trump was making a cameo.

The footage reveals Bush making comments like, “Sheesh, your girl’s hot as s–t, in the purple” and “Yes, the Donald has scored!” referring to actress Arianne Zucker, who was walking on the set of the soap opera. Bush also comments on an unidentified woman’s legs along with Trump, saying “Oh, that’s good legs.” In the end of the video, Bush asks Zucker, “How about a little hug for the Donald?”

Bush, who now co-hosts on the Today show, has come under public scrutiny on social media. He issued an apology:

“Obviously I’m embarrassed and ashamed. It’s no excuse, but this happened eleven years ago—I was younger, less mature, and acted foolishly in playing along. I’m very sorry.”

Bush deleted his Twitter account, so there are no other comments available from him. NBC and Access Hollywood also declined to make further comments, but Access Hollywood stated they will address the issue in tonight’s episode of the show.

Industry insiders are questioning whether Bush will be able to keep his job at as a TV host. A former network executive said, “I don’t think Today will officially fire him, but he is going into a long seclusion and I’m not sure he gets to return to Today or any NBC News property.” Opinions are divided, with insiders saying Bush “is a co-host of arguably their top brand,” and that firing him may be in fact too extreme.

Celebrity crisis expert Kevin Blatt told Fox News that the network may not stand by Bush, but that doesn’t mean his TV career is over:

“It’s hard for a network or show to stand by someone who said such reprehensible things or merely went along with it… But give him six months and he’ll be on ‘Dancing with the Stars’ and all will be forgiven.”

This is not the first time Bush has been a controversial figure for NBC.  A couple of months ago, he participated in an argument with weatherman Al Roker about whether embattled swimmer Ryan Lochte lied about his alleged robbery that went viral.

Viewers of the Today show, especially women, have expressed their outrage over the host’s behavior on the Internet. One viewer said about Bush:

“Between your ineptitude on the Lochte story and this disgusting interaction with Trump, I hope the execs at NBC take a good, long look in the mirror to understand just how low their organization has stooped. I have already switched to Good Morning America and won’t be back.”