IAC/InterActiveCorp Chairman Barry Diller calls “bulls—” on MGM’s claim that it can’t release unaired footage from “The Apprentice” in which Donald Trump allegedly says even worse things than he did on the leaked “Access Hollywood” tapes.
“I think it’s total bulls—,” Diller told Politico’s Playbook on Tuesday.
“There are no legal obligations,” Diller added. “To who? For what? I mean, the legal obligations are they own the copyright. They can do whatever they want with it.”
On Monday, MGM Television released a statement stating that “various contractual and legal requirements also restrict MGM’s ability to release such material.” The statement also added that Mark Burnett, “The Apprentice” producer and president of MGM Television since 2015, “does not have the ability nor the right to release footage or other material from ‘The Apprentice.'”
The Associated Press corroborated the notion that “The Apprentice” is sitting on the makings of an even bigger scandal than the one involving former “Access Hollywood” host Bush. Before the lewd tape surfaced, the outlet interviewed more than 20 former “Apprentice” contestants, crew members and editors who said Trump was regularly disparaging toward women and used sexist language.
Screenwriter and producer Chris Nee highlighted in a recent tweet that a breach of the show’s non-disclosure agreement would cost her $5 million. She also indicated that the use of the N-word is one of the scathing revelations in the unreleased footage — though she stopped short of attributing the word to Trump himself.
Two women’s advocacy groups are also demanding that MGM and NBC “stop protecting” Donald Trump and release tapes from “The Apprentice,” and their petitions have almost 180,000 signatures.
“NBC is refusing to release the footage. In fact for a year now, the network has been protecting Trump — from Matt Lauer’s biased presidential forum to Jimmy Fallon‘s softball interview with Trump,” read the petitions. “With 29 days left until the election,voters deserve to know just how much of a racist, hate-filled serial sexual predator Trump is.”
18 Republicans That Have Bashed Donald Trump Over Lewd Sexual Comments (Photos)
Donald Trump was secretly recorded saying he was drawn like a magnet to beautiful women back in 2005. "I just start kissing them," the GOP presidential nominee boasted. "I don't even wait."
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The Washington Post published a tape Friday in which Trump mentioned groping and having sex with women, saying that “when you’re a star, they let you do anything … And when you’re a star, they let you do it. You can do anything...“Grab ‘em by the p---y.”
NBC
Sen. John McCain tweeted, "There are no excuses for Donald Trump’s offensive behavior. Cindy & I will not vote for him."
Condoleezza Rice posted on her Facebook page, “Enough! Donald Trump should not be President. He should withdraw."
She continued: As a Republican, I hope to support someone who has the dignity and stature to run for the highest office in the greatest democracy on earth.”
John Kasich said, "Nothing that has happened in the last 48 hours is surprising to me or many others. Many people were angry and questioned why I would not endorse Donald Trump or attend the Republican Convention."
He went on to say: " I will not vote for a nominee who has behaved in a manner that reflects so poorly on our country."
Speaker of the House Paul Ryan said, “I hope Mr. Trump treats this situation with the seriousness it deserves and works to demonstrate to the country that he has greater respect for women than this clip suggests."
Mitch McConnell stood firm against his party’s nominee, saying in a statement: “These comments are repugnant and unacceptable in any circumstance. As the father of three daughters, I strongly believe that Trump needs to apologize directly to women and girls everywhere, and take full responsibility for the utter lack of respect for women shown in his comments on that tape.”
Jeb Bush tweeted, "As the grandfather of two precious girls, I find that no apology can excuse away Donald Trump's reprehensible comments degrading women."
Mitt Romney probably wasn’t voting for Trump anyway, but tweeted, “Hitting on married women? Condoning assault? Such vile degradations demean our wives and daughters and corrupt America's face to the world.”
Reince Priebus, the chairman of the Republican National Committee issued a statement: “No woman should ever be described in these terms or talked about in this manner. Ever.”
"I will not be voting for Donald Trump or Hillary Clinton and instead will be writing in Governor Pence for President on Election Day," Sen. Kelly Ayotte said.
Idaho Sen. Mike Crapo officially withdrew his endorsement of Trump, saying, "This is not a decision that I have reached lightly, but his pattern of behavior has left me no choice. His repeated actions and comments toward women have been disrespectful, profane and demeaning."
Twitter/Mike Crapo
Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski was clear about her withdrawal of support from the Republican presidential candidate, saying Trump has "forfeited the right to be our party's nominee."
Twitter/Lisa Murkowski
Maine Sen. Susan Collins, seen here with former first lady Barbara Bush, issued a statement reiterating her reasons for not supporting Trump in light of his "inappropriate" and "reprehensible" comments. She also said she is "still not voting for Hillary, and still plans to write in someone," according to CNN.
Twitter/Susan Collins
Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley said in a statement, "I certainly won't vote for Hillary Clinton, but I cannot and will not vote for Donald Trump."
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Alabama House Rep. Martha Roby has called for Trump to "step aside."
Twitter/ Martha Roby
Nebraska Sen. Deb Fischer also called for Trump to step aside to make room for Mike Pence to take over the Republican presidential ticket.
Twitter/Deb Fischer
Powerful Republican senator John Thune of South Dakota, part of Majority Leader Mitch McConnell's inner circle, is urging that Trump withdraw. "Mike Pence should be our nominee effective immediately," CNN quotes him as saying.
Twitter/John Thune
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Since the comments, several prominent GOP leaders have backed off supporting Trump for president
Donald Trump was secretly recorded saying he was drawn like a magnet to beautiful women back in 2005. "I just start kissing them," the GOP presidential nominee boasted. "I don't even wait."