Trump’s crude boasts of groping women surface
Donald Trumpbragged in vulgar terms about kissing, groping and trying to have sex with women during a 2005 conversation caught on a hot microphone — saying that “when you’re a star they let you do it” — according to a video obtained by The Washington Post.
In a videotaped statement broadcast early today, Trump repudiated his 2005 statements, saying that he has grown beyond them and apologizing for their crudeness. He said he had changed and that there would be further discussion.
The video captures Trump talking with Billy Bush of “Access Hollywood” on a bus. They were arriving on the set of “Days of Our Lives” to tape a segment about Trump’s upcoming cameo on the soap opera.
The tape obtained by the Post includes audio of Bush and Trump’s conversation inside the bus, as well as audio and video once they emerge from it to begin shooting the segment.
In that audio, Trump discusses a failed attempt to seduce a woman, whose full name is not given.
“I moved on her, and I failed. I’ll admit it,” Trump is heard saying.
It was unclear when the events he was describing took place. The tape was recorded several months after he married his third wife, Melania.
“Whoa,” another voice said.
“I did try and f--- her. She was married,” Trump says.
Trump continues: “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.’ ”
“I moved on her like a Donald Trump said in a 2005 video that “when you’re a star ... you can do anything” to women. bitch, but I couldn’t get there. And she was married,” Trump says.
At one point in the audio, Trump and Bush appear to notice Arianne Zucker, the actress who is waiting to escort them into the soap opera set.
“Your girl’s hot as s---, in the purple,” says Bush, who’s now a co-host of NBC’s “Today” show.
“Whoa!” Trump “Whoa!”
“I’ve gotta use some Tic Tacs, just in case I start kissing her,” Trump says. “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,” Trump says. “You can do anything.”
“Whatever you want,” says another voice, apparently Bush’s.
“Grab them by the p---y,” Trump says. “You can do anything.”
Natalie Morales of “Access Hollywood” said a story by The Associated Press about Trump’s behavior as star of “The Apprentice” led to its decision to dig through its archives and turn up the damning footage of the GOP presidential nominee.
The AP reported this week that Trump repeatedly demeaned women with sexist language during his years says. on the show.
“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,” Trump said in a statement. “I apologize if anyone was offended.”
After the video appeared online Friday afternoon, Republicans and Democrats alike quickly denounced Trump.
Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton wrote on Twitter: “This is horrific. We cannot allow this man to become president.”
Republican National Chairman Reince Priebus, who has stood by Trump uncritically through numerous controversies, said in a statement: “No woman should ever be described in these terms or talked about in this manner. Ever.”
House Speaker Paul Ryan, who has had a rocky relationship with Trump, said he was “sickened” by the GOP nominee’s comments. In a statement late Friday, Ryan announced Trump will no longer be attending an annual, all-GOP fall festival in Wisconsin on Saturday. Republican strategists warned that the new revelations would likely hurt Trump, especially with women voters. Meanwhile, vulnerable GOP down-ballot candidates and sitting lawmakers either sought to distance themselves quickly or remained silent.
“His comments are totally inappropriate and offensive,” said New Hampshire Republican Sen. Kelly Ayotte, who is locked in one of the most competitive Senate races in the country.
The tape obtained by the Post seems to have captured Trump in a private moment with no audience beyond Bush and a few others. It appears to have been shot around September 16, 2005.