NBC announced Sunday it is suspending the “Today” show’s Billy Bush indefinitely for his role in the recently leaked video of Donald Trump’s lewd comments about women.
In a memo Sunday, “Today” show’s Executive Producer Noah Oppenheim said that “there is simply no excuse for Billy’s language and behavior on that tape.” Bush has been suspended “pending further review of the matter,” Oppenheim said.
The video shows Trump talking with Bush, the former host of “Access Hollywood,” as they pulled up to the set of “Days of Our Lives.” Trump and Bush are discussing Arianne Zucker, the soap opera star who turned down Trump’s advances, in graphic terms. When Zucker was there to greet them, Bush called Zucker “hot,” and asked the actress to hug Trump and then added, “How about a little hug for the Bushy?”
In the video released by the Washington Post, Trump talks about his failed attempts to win over a woman who was not his wife. Bush joins in, laughing at Trump’s comments about kissing, grouping women and trying to have sex with them.
Bush apologized Friday for the comments he made in the video, saying he was “embarrassed and ashamed.” In a statement, he said, “It’s no excuse, but this happened 11 years ago — I was younger, less mature and acted foolishly in playing along. I’m very sorry.”
Bush is the nephew of former President George H.W. Bush.
