Billy Bush ‘Embarrassed’ By Leaked Trump Video And Suspension, Will He Ever Return To The ‘Today’ Show?
Billy Bush’s scandalous conversation with Donald Trump might end his career on television.
Following the shocking audio of Bush and Trump inappropriately bashing women, NBC has suspended Bush from working on The Today Show.
Will Bush eventually return to The Today Show? Or is NBC parting ways with the host for good?
Radar Online is reporting that fans flooded social media with requests that Bush resign from his post.
Although Trump vowed to remain in the Presidential race, Bush’s days on The Today Show might face an abrupt end.
Despite public outcry, an inside source told the outlet that producers originally did not “discuss any type of disciplinary action” with Bush.
The shocking conversation with Trump happened back in 2005 and was reportedly caught while Trump and Bush were talking about Days of Our Lives star Arianne Zucker.
After a tape of the conversation leaked, Bush quickly released a public apology for his part.
“Obviously I’m embarrassed and ashamed. It’s not excuse, but this happened eleven years ago — I was younger, less mature, and acted foolishly in playing along. I’m very sorry,” he told fans.
Bush’s apology may have appeased a few of his fans, but some co-workers are now concerned about what he says about them behind closed doors.
“This was personal,” the source continued. “He was turning on his co-workers and friends to suck up to Donald Trump. So it’s like, ‘What does he say about me when I’m not in the room?'”
In light of how much controversy the audio clip generated over the weekend, USA Today is reporting that NBC decided to suspend Bush, who did not appear on Monday’s episode of the show.
Savannah Guthrie, Lester Holt, Chuck Todd, Nicole Wallace, and Steve Kornacki discussed the audio on the show, though their conversation focused on Trump’s part in the scandal.
Towards the end of the roundtable, Guthrie addressed Bush’s absence.
“We want to note one other thing: Pending further review of the matter, NBC News has suspended Billy Bush, who now hosts Today’s third hour, for his role in the conversation with Donald Trump,” Guthrie explained.
Noah Oppenheim, a producer on Today, later released a statement on Billy Bush’s suspension.
“Let me be clear: There is simply no excuse for Billy’s language and behavior on that tape,” Oppenheim stated. “NBC has decided to suspend Billy pending further review of this matter.”
The conversation between Bush and Trump threatened to derail the Republican nominee’s presidential campaign.
“I gotta use some Tic Tacs, just in case I start kissing her,” Trump told Bush in the 2005 recording. “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. You can do anything.”
Trump shockingly added, “Grab them by the p***y. You can do anything.”
Bush’s future as a host on the show remains uncertain.
E! Online is reporting, however, that Bush has several people fighting in his corner, including his former Access Hollywood co-host Kit Hoover.
“He was always in my corner,” Hover told Natalie Morales on Access Hollywood Live. “I was just devastated to watch all this unfold because the Billy that I know — and that a lot of people would say — has the biggest heart of anybody, and he is a good person.”
Morales couldn’t agree more.
“One of the first people to call me and congratulate me when I announced that I would be getting this job was Billy,” she stated. “He also offered advice and offered to help with my move and transition.”
NBC has not announced when Bush will return to The Today Show, nor has the network clarified how long his suspension might last.
Tell us! Do you think Billy Bush’s punishment for his part in the controversial video is warranted? Check out the video below and let us know what you think in the comments below. (Warning! Video contains graphic language.)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oNiad5mPZPc
[Featured Image by Cindy Ord/Getty Images]
