A leaked tape of Donald Trump making lewd comments on a hot mic back in 2005 drew quick reactions from both campaign today, with Hillary Clinton condemning the remarks and Trump saying he’s heard worse from her husband.
The Washington Post published the story online late Friday afternoon about Trump’s conversation with host Billy Bush of Access Hollywood as they were arriving to tape a segment about the real-estate mogul’s cameo on Days of Our Lives.
The tape appeared to have been shot “around September 16, 2005,” the Post reported, citing corresponding press reports at the time about the soap-opera cameo. Trump and Melania Knauss were married on Jan. 22, 2005.
In the audio that only shows the exterior of the bus as it parks in the lot, Trump is talking about an unidentified woman. “I moved on her and I failed. I’ll admit it,” he said. “I did try and f— her. She was married.”
“And I moved on her very heavily. In fact, I took her out furniture shopping. She wanted to get some furniture. I said, ‘I’ll show you where they have some nice furniture,'” Trump continued. “I moved on her like a bitch, but I couldn’t get there. And she was married. Then all of a sudden I see her, she’s now got the big phony tits and everything. She’s totally changed her look.”
Bush notes actress Arianne Zucker, who’s waiting for Trump outside the bus. “Your girl’s hot as s—, in the purple,” Bush said.
“Whoa!” Trump replied. “Whoa!”
“I’ve gotta use some Tic-Tacs, just in case I start kissing her,” Trump continued. “You know I’m automatically attracted to beautiful — I just start kissing them. It’s like a magnet. Just kiss. I don’t even wait. And when you’re a star they let you do it. You can do anything.”
“Whatever you want,” said another voice believed to be Bush.
“Grab them by the p—y,” Trump replied. “You can do anything.”
Bush, the nephew of former President George H.W. Bush, hosted Access Hollywood for 15 years. In May, NBC’s Today show announced Bush was joining the 9 a.m. anchor team “to build a compelling and competitive hour focused on lifestyle and entertainment.”
NBC had not issued a statement on the audio of Bush.
The Trump campaign released a statement from the GOP nominee: “This was locker room banter, a private conversation that took place many years ago. Bill Clinton has said far worse to me on the golf course – not even close. I apologize if anyone was offended.”
Clinton tweeted: “This is horrific. We cannot allow this man to become president.”
House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) is scheduled to appear at a Trump campaign event for the first time on Saturday in Wisconsin.
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