Billy Bush on Donald Trump tape: I sacrificed my own dignity in that moment

Former “Access Hollywood” and “Today” show host Billy Bush spoke out Wednesday about the tape that ended his career, saying he “sacrificed my own dignity in that moment.”

Mr. Bush told ABC News that he regretted engaging in that kind of talk with then-reality show host Donald Trump. The tape, which came out last October, involves Mr. Bush listening to Mr. Trump graphically describe how he’s able to get away with making sexual advances on women because he’s famous.

Mr. Bush acknowledged facilitating that conversation was wrong and that he was too much of a “pleaser” to stop it in the moment.

“I definitely added to the conversation by keeping the ball in the air,” Mr. Bush said. “I think I sacrificed my own dignity in that moment.”

“I was insecure. I was a pleaser. I kinda remember wanting these celebrities to like me,” he said. “I should’ve know better absolutely.”

Mr. Bush said he told people at the time what had happened, but didn’t know it was on tape until days later. After that, however, he said he forgot about the incident since it was inconsequential until Mr. Trump’s presidential launch.

“I reported it as soon as it happened. I said you wouldn’t have believed the things that Trump was saying off camera. As soon as it was done I was recounting what happened,” he said. “Then I was told that was on, the camera was rolling, but I never thought about it again.”

“It was Trump. It was inconsequential,” he said.

Mr. Bush does say, however, that if he thought there was something criminal in Mr. Trump’s words he would have reported it to law enforcement.

“If I had ever thought, I like to think that, if there was a grown man sitting in front of me detailing his sexual assault strategy I would’ve called the FBI,” he said.

When asked if he has thought about the fact that he was fired while Mr. Trump won the presidency, Mr. Bush said it is ironic.

“I can acknowledge that the irony is glaring. It certainly has crossed my mind,” he said.