While the internet’s attention was largely focused on Donald Trump yesterday, as his glaringly misogynist comments from a 2005 Access Hollywood appearance came to light, a certain amount of heat was also directed at host Billy Bush, who facilitated Trump’s appearance.
Bush currently hosts NBC‘s morning show, and staff at the network say he is “horribly embarrassed” by the footage, in which he encourages Trump, and demeans his then co-anchor Nancy O’Dell, one of the women singled out in the conversation.
Late yesterday, Bush issued an apology statement via his NBC colleagues, saying:
“Obviously I’m embarrassed and ashamed. This is no excuse but this happened eleven years ago – I was younger, less mature and acted foolishly in playing along. I’m very sorry.”
Bush has been laying low, but in the past 24 hours, he has copped so much fury on Twitter – with accusations of promoting rape culture and calls for his firing or resignation – that he has deleted his account, leaving only this in its wake:
In spite of the mass social media backlash, source at NBC told the NY Post that Bush’s Today gig seems secure, even given how badly the leaked audio has embarrassed him and the network. The source said:
“Trump supporters might not care, but the ‘Today’ show will … they want Billy to look like ‘nice funny’ Billy, not a frat boy. The problem is that what to do if his interview subjects bring it up? He’ll have to address it on TV.”
Nancy O’Dell, who currently works on Entertainment Tonight and who worked with Bush for five years on Access Hollywood, issued a statement earlier today, saying:
“Politics aside, I’m saddened that these comments still exist in our society at all. When I heard the comments yesterday, it was disappointing to hear such objectification of women. The conversation needs to change because no female, no person, should be the subject of such crass comments, whether or not cameras are rolling. Everyone deserves respect no matter the setting or gender. As a woman who has worked very hard to establish her career, and as a mom, I feel I must speak out with the hope that as a society we will always strive to be better.”
Source: NY Post.
Photo: Rob Kim / Getty.
