A three-minute video from 2005 obtained by The Washington Post contains audio of presidential candidate Donald Trump making lewd remarks about women during a conversation with Billy Bush, host of the show Access Hollywood, right before taping a television segment. It appears the audio was recorded because Trump was wearing a microphone that was on at the time.
In the conversation, Trump talks about trying and failing to “fuck” a married woman, and seeing her later with “big phony tits.” After Trump and Bush notice the actress who will be escorting them into the building, Trump talks about wanting to kiss her:
“I’ve gotta 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. Just kiss. I don’t even wait,” he says. “And when you’re a star they let you do it. You can do anything…Grab them by the pussy. You can do anything.”
Bush can be heard laughing and agreeing throughout.
This video comes as Trump has attempted to attack opponent Hillary Clinton on her treatment of the women who have accused her husband Bill of sexual misconduct. He’s also recently received backlash for his statements about the weight gain of 1996 Miss Universe winner Alicia Machado, whom he allegedly called “Miss Piggy.” During the vice-presidential debate on Tuesday, Democratic VP candidate Tim Kaine brought up Trump’s treatment of women several times.
In a statement to the Post about the video, Trump said, “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.”
In the past, Trump has responded to accusations that he disrespects women with statements such as, “Nobody has more respect for women than Donald Trump.”
Watch the full video here.