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BILLY BUSH SAID it was indeed Donald Trump’s voice captured on a 2005 Access Hollywood tape talking about fame enabling him to grope and try to have sex with women.
“Of course he said it,” the former Access Hollywood and Today show personality said in an op-ed published yesterday in The New York Times.
The video shows Trump, who was the star of The Apprentice, riding on an Access Hollywood bus with then-host Bush. At one point, Trump describes trying to have sex with a married woman.
He also brags about women letting him kiss and grab them because he is famous.
“When you’re a star, they let you do it,” Trump says. “You can do anything.”
“Along with Donald Trump and me, there were seven other guys present on the bus at the time, and every single one of us assumed we were listening to a crass standup act. He was performing. Surely, we thought, none of this was real. We now know better,” Bush said in the op-ed.
The recording of the lewd conversation between Bush and Trump emerged during the 2016 presidential campaign. Trump later said he never did any of the actions described on the tape, and dismissed his words as locker room talk.
In the waning days of the presidential election, more than a dozen women came forward to say that Trump had sexually assaulted or harassed them over the years. He denied it.
But Bush said he believes the women, and he felt the need to write the piece following reports that Trump had privately suggested that the Access Hollywood tape was not authentic.
“I can only imagine how it has reopened the wounds of the women who came forward with their stories about him, and did not receive enough attention,” Bush said.
This country is currently trying to reconcile itself to years of power abuse and sexual misconduct. Its leader is wantonly poking the bear.
Last week it was reported by the New York Times that Trump has cast doubt on the authenticity of the tapes to some of his aides, despite previously apologising for what he said on the recordings.
Speaking yesterday on Meet the Press on NBC News, former Trump campaign adviser David Bossie said it was “clearly” Trump on the tape and that he believes Trump acknowledges this.
Bush, who had recently been hired as co-host of the Today show, lost his job following the release of the tape. He said he has since gone through a lot of soul searching.
“None of us were guilty of knowingly enabling our future president,” he said in the op-ed. ”But all of us were guilty of sacrificing a bit of ourselves in the name of success.”
- With reporting by Rónán Duffy
Wow, so young. RIP Liam
‘I remember that summer in Dublin’
A voice so good he could be mistaken for Elton John. RIP.
I love his voice and I love their lyrics. The timeless music will live on in perpetuity, so sad that Liam won’t be around anymore to see the joy it brings. Rest in peace maestro. Thank you.
R.I.P. very sad to hear this.
What truly wonderful songs they were.
Summer in Dublin is iconic.
Sincere condolences to all his family and friends.
Thank you for the music.
Xxx
Rock n Roll will never forget him.
Very sad news RIP Liam loved your song Summer in Dublin.
One of the best if not the best band to come out of ireland and Liam was super talented
RIP.
@Eugene Larkin: don’t agree with that
@Eugene Larkin: bit of a stretch there lad
@James Lough: he is entitled to his opinion !!
Brilliant singer and songs from a great band. RIP Liam
So sad, had tickets to see them last May in the Purty Kitchen but was postponed. Can’t believe we won’t see him sing live again. RIP Liam your music will live on.
Sleep peacefully in your heavenly bed R.I.P LIAM
In the end he left on a Friday morning… RIP Liam
“So I’m leavin’ on Wednesday morning tryin’ to find a place where I can hear
The tunes of the birds and the sea on the rocks, where open roads always are near,
And if sometimes I tire of the quiet, and I want to walk back up that hill,
I’ll just get on the road and stick out my thumb.
I know that you’ll be there still”
Shocked and saddened to hear of Liam’s passing this morming. I first saw Bagatelle in 1982 when they played in Bandon and many times at Siamsa.
My sincere consolences to his family and bandmates. RIP Liam
Used to go to the Baggot Inn to hear him play. Great memories. Rest In Peace Liam.
Summer in Dublin always brings me back to my 21st birthday.
My then boyfriend and I spent a week in Dublin after celebrating my 21st birthday at home( no lavish parties then).
We stayed in Leopardstown and got the 46A bus into town everyday. It was a lovely time and I never hear Summer in Dublin without being reminded of it.
RIP Liam and thanks for the memories
@Mary Walshe: I spent a few years in College in Dublin many years ago and just that mention of the 46A in that gorgeous song brings me back… it really conjures up the Dublin I knew and loved and which I fear is long gone. RIP Liam.
Saw them in the Jet club in Ennis nearly 40 years ago. Great gig. May he Rest in peace
RIP
Honored to have wrote the bands biography and worked with liam. musical genuis
@Brian Kennedy: do you have a link for it?
@Brian Kennedy: ‘to have wrote’!
@Brian Kennedy: I got my copy today looking forward to reading it. Gabrielle
@Seosamh: book is on http://www.briankennedywriter.com (just click Buy Now) or on Amazon (Uk) paperback or kindle
Condolences, some really great and well structured songs deserved more attention..
Ah so young .. very sad I had the privilege of seeing Bagatelle Live a few times in Dublin and other places in Ireland, they were an amazing live Band..RIP Liam
So sorry to hear this news. Summer in Dublin was a classic . Condolences to his family .
So saddend to wake up to this news. An outstanding musician and songwriter. Remember Summer in Dublin a No 1 hit in May 1980 when I came to Dublin. Discovered the 46A bus went to Dun Laoighre.. RIP Liam
Buíochas as an ceol iontach; mairfidh sin go deo, agus do ainm leis.
Shocked and saddened to hear of Liam’s passing this morning. I first saw Bagatelle in 1982 when they played in Bandon and many times at Siamsa.
My sincere consolences to his family and bandmates. RIP Liam
So sorry to hear about the death of Liam Reilly yesterday.
A sad day for music.
I toured with Bagatelle back in the early 80s when we worked with real sound systems!!
At the time we were the biggest in the country
A lot of hard work but serious craic!
We met up a few years ago (after 34 years!!) and they were great crack and courteous.
Good times indeed .
RIP Liam.
Such a talent. Summer in Dublin hit a cord with so many….. so relatable. It will live on for ever.
RIP Paddy
Rip… Excellent singer, songwriter..love their rendition of Jersey Girl… Going on to Spotify now to have a listen to some timeless classics.
Had tickets to see them in the Purty Kitchen last May but it was postponed. Can’t believe we won’t see them live again. RIP Liam your music will live on
Ireland’s Elton RIP…
His songs will live forever..
Bagatelle were a bit before my time but I did have the pleasure of seeing him perform back in the 90s at a corporate event. I genuinely felt for him because he performed his set during the meal which seemed to me to be a bit odd. Still had what it took and did a great show. A fine talent gone too soon.
RIP
RIP liam
Remember buying their Summer in Dublin album in little record shop in Wexford St. In 1979 and still have it. Played it non stop, analysised the cover, the song words etc visualised the songs and played regularly.
12 amazing songs.
RIP Liam such a great band to go see in the 80′s, Bagatelle always drew a crowd, Liam has left us with fabulous songs, too young.
R.I.P Liam such a talented musician your music will always live on.
Second violin and Leeson St Lady absolute classics. Listened to the band through the ‘80’s and thankfully someone brought me to see them in The Olympia a couple of years ago.
RIP Liam My prayers and thoughts are with you and you family .You were a legend .
RIP Liam, I loved Bagatelle
Great singer and band. Sad news to start the year. R.I.P. Liam
Such sad news, Summer in Dublin just takes me back to my youth. Could jump on a 46A only for the restrictions. RIP Liam
yesterday.
A sad day for music.
I toured with Bagatelle back in the early 80s when we worked with real sound systems!!
At the time we were the biggest in the country
A lot of hard work but serious craic!
We met up a few years ago (after 34 years!!) and they were great crack and courteous.
Good times indeed .
RIP Liam.
“As the liffey as it stank like hell”. Never a truer was word sung.
Johnny Set Em Up Tonight.
Sad to hear of his passing at such a young age. Thoughts are with his family.
May he rest in peace
These guys were probably one of the best bands if not the best band to come of ireland and Liam was the the King, long live bagatelle music.
RIP what a legend of a man thought are with he’s family.
Never realised that Bagatelle were from Dundalk. 65 is very young to die these days, RIP Liam.
So sad-such a great talent. RIP
Olympic Ballroom in Newcastle West ..County Limerick ..lined up outside ,till We packed in like sardines then onto Chip wagon for a Belly full of grease & on out toward some gap with Molly in the Ford Capri…windows down slapping ould tape into Dashboard banging out Lesson st Lady …Thanks for the memories Liam may you rest in peace…
Play your second violin now Liam. Rest easy sir.
Ana-cheoltóir! Suaimhneas síoraí dá anam
Sincerest condolences to Liams family and friends from Killarney
Thank you for the music,Eternal rest Liam ,until we meet again.
Summer in Dublin. Brings back so many memories. And I was 14.
R.I.P.
Sad news respect what a gent r.i.p.
Very sad,another great loss RIP
RIP Liam. So sad. Condolences to all his family and friends
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