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Years ago, Donald Trump visited the set of a soap opera and made sexually explicit remarks about groping women that were caught on tape. The Washington Post reported on the video two days before the second presidential debate.
The comments come in a campaign where Trump’s opponent, Hillary Clinton, has repeatedly attacked Trump for sexist comments and disparaging women.
Below is a transcript of Trump’s comments from the video, as well as two apologies Trump issued after the video’s release. As a warning, some of the language is explicit.
Trump's soap opera set conversation
In 2005, Trump was visiting the set of Days of our Lives to make a cameo on the show. His comments were to Billy Bush, then of Access Hollywood, prior to the planned taping of a segment for Access Hollywood. Bush has also apologized for the conversation. Trump and Bush spoke on a bus before leaving it to meet Arianne Zucker, an actress from Days of our Lives. It's unclear who they are talking about as the video starts.
Trump: "I moved on her actually. You know she was down on Palm Beach. I moved on her and I failed. I’ll admit it. I did try and fuck her. She was married."
Unidentified man: "That’s huge news there."
Trump: "No, no. Nancy. No this was— 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 took her out furniture– I moved on her like a bitch, but I couldn’t get there. And she was married. Then all of a sudden I see her, she’s now got the big phony tits and everything. She’s totally changed her look."
Bush: "Sheesh, your girl’s hot as shit, in the purple."
Trump: "Whoa! Whoa!"
Bush: "Yes. Yes, the Donald has" (unintelligible)
Unidentified man: "Wait, wait you’ve got to look at me when you get out and be like ... will you give me the thumbs up? You’ve got to put the thumbs up."
(crosstalk)
Trump: "Alright, you and I will walk down."
(unintelligible)
Trump: "Maybe it’s a different one."
Bush: "It better not be the publicist. No, it’s her. It’s her."
Trump: "Yeah, that’s her, with the gold. I’ve got to use some Tic Tacs, just in case I start kissing her. You know I’m automatically attracted to beautiful — I just start kissing them. It’s like a magnet. I just kiss. I don’t even wait. And when you’re a star, they let you do it. You can do anything."
Unidentified man: "Whatever you want."
Trump: "Grab them by the pussy. You can do anything."
Unidentified man: "Yeah, those legs, all I can see is the legs."
Trump: "Oh, it looks good."
Unidentified man: "Come on, shorty."
Trump: "Oh, nice legs, huh?"
Bush: "Oof, get out of the way, honey. Oh, that’s good legs. Go ahead."
Trump: "It’s always good if you don’t fall out of the bus. Like Ford. Gerald Ford, remember?"
Bush: "Down below. Pull the handle."
Trump: "Hello. How are you? Hi."
Arianne Zucker: "Hi, Mr. Trump. How are you? Pleasure to meet you."
Trump: "Terrific, terrific. You know Billy Bush?"
Bush: "Hello, nice to see you. How are you doing, Arianne?"
Zucker: "I’m doing very well, thank you. (To Trump) Are you ready to be a soap star?"
Trump: "We’re ready, let’s go. Make me a soap star.
Trump's initial apology
Trump’s first statement right after the video’s release was brief.
"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. I apologize if anyone was offended."
Trump's second apology
Several hours later, Trump issued a lengthier apology made via video.
"I've never said I'm a perfect person, nor pretended to be someone that I'm not. I've said and done things I regret, and the words released today on this more-than-a-decade-old video are one of them.
"Anyone who knows me knows these words don't reflect who I am. I said it, I was wrong and I apologize. I’ve traveled the country talking about change for America, but my travels have also changed me. I've spent time with grieving mothers who have lost their children, laid-off workers whose jobs have gone to other countries, and people from all walks of life who just want a better future.
"I have gotten to know the great people of our country, and I've been humbled by the faith they've placed in me. I pledge to be a better man tomorrow and will never, ever let you down.
"Let's be honest: We're living in the real world. This is nothing more than a distraction from the important issues we're facing today. We are losing our jobs, we're less safe than we were eight years ago, and Washington is totally broken.
"Hillary Clinton and her kind have run our country into the ground. I've said some foolish things, but there's a big difference between the words and actions of other people. Bill Clinton has actually abused women, and Hillary has bullied, attacked, shamed and intimidated his victims. We will discuss this more in the coming days.
"See you at the debate on Sunday."
Our Sources
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