An "embarassed" and "ashamed" Billy Bush, who was caught at the centre of an explosive video with US Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump, was suspended from the ‘Today’ show by the NBC on Sunday.
A video dating back to 2005 surfaced last Friday where the former host of NBC's ‘Access Hollywood’ show can be heard laughing and encouraging Trump as the latter discusses how he pursued a "married" woman, groping them followed by more outrageous and vulgar sexist comments.
In a memo to the NBC staff, Noah Oppenheim, executive in-charge of ‘Today’ show, said, "Let me be clear – there is simply no excuse for Billy’s language and behaviour on that tape."
NBC has decided to suspend Billy, pending further review of this matter
The conversation was recorded between the two on a bus before Trump was to record a segment in 2005.
Billy Bush, who is related to former President George W Bush, issued a statement on Friday saying: “Obviously I’m embarrassed and ashamed. It’s no excuse, but this happened 11 years ago – I was younger, less mature, and acted foolishly in playing along.”
Ever since the tape emerged, Trump has faced serious flak with many Republicans withdrawing their support and asking him to step out of the race.
A defiant Trump, after apologising on Saturday for his sickening remarks, said that he will "never" drop out of the presidential race and will “never” let his supporters down.
He then shifted his focus on how Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton’s husband Bill Clinton has “abused” women.
(With inputs from Reuters)