Billy Bush was suspended from the “Today” show on Sunday over his participation in a lewd conversation with Donald Trump more than a decade ago, and the decision was mentioned — just barely — by his NBC morning show colleagues on Monday.
“We want to note one other thing: Pending further review of the matter, NBC News has suspended Billy Bush, the host of ‘Today’s’ third hour, for his role in the conversation with Donald Trump,” Savannah Guthrie said. Watch the video above.
The remarks came after she and Lester Holt, who filled in for Matt Lauer, discussed Sunday night’s presidential debate between Trump and Hillary Clinton. Earlier in the broadcast, the tapes had come up a few times, though Bush’s name was generally left out of the discussion.
“I know we’ve all been deeply troubled by the revelations of the past 48 hours,” “Today” producer Noah Oppenheim wrote in an internal memo received yesterday by TheWrap. “Let me be clear — there is simply no excuse for Billy’s language and behavior on that tape. NBC has decided to suspend Billy, pending further review of this matter. If any of you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to me directly, anytime day or night.”
Previously, The Washington Post published a video tape of Trump on a hot mic boasting about kissing, groping and having sex with women. “When you’re a star, they let you do anything … I don’t even wait. And when you’re a star, they let you do it. You can do anything,” he said. “Grab ’em by the p-y.”
Bush, who hosted “Access Hollywood” at the time, is heard throughout the 2005 tape agreeing with Trump and even egging him on. Bush came forward to immediately apologize on Friday after the tape was leaked, saying he was “embarrassed and ashamed” of his behavior.