Nancy O’Dell finds herself at the center of a political scandal.
The television personality turned down Donald Trump’s sexual advances over a decade…
… only for that decision to become public knowledge after a video went viral this week in which Trump bragged about trying to bed O’Dell.
The footage, which was filmed in 2005, features Trump and Billy Bush on an Access Hollywood bus, driving to the set of Days of Our Lives and talking in very lewd fashion.
They are wearing microphones, but are unaware the microphones are on; or “hot,” to use industry lingo.
It’s unclear who released the video to The Washington Post or how long that individual had been sitting on it, but it’s very clear what Trump and Bush are discussing.
At one point in the back-and-forth, Trump says of a woman named Nancy:
“I moved on her like a bitch, but I couldn’t get there. And she was married. I did try and f-ck her. She was married.”
It didn’t take long for the married woman who rejected Trump to be identified as Nancy O’Dell (who Trump reportedly tried to fire as Miss USA Pageant host in 2007. Hmmm… we wonder why.)
We can’t imagine O’Dell ever thought this incident would resurface all these years later, but here we are.
And here’s what she has to say about it:
“Politics aside, I’m saddened that these comments still exist in our society at all. When I heard the comments yesterday, it was disappointing to hear such objectification of women.
“The conversation needs to change because no female, no person, should be the subject of such crass comments, whether or not cameras are rolling.”
O’Dell is 50 years old and is now the co-anchor of Entertainment Tonight.
She continued:
“Everyone deserves respect no matter the setting or gender.
“As a woman who has worked very hard to establish her career, and as a mom, I feel I must speak out with the hope that as a society we will always strive to be better.”
Both Bush and Trump have since apologized for their conversation, which also depicted the two men degrading Days of Our Lives actress Arianne Zucker.
The footage also included Trump saying that he often just “grabs” the “pussy” of a woman and it’s totally acceptable because he’s a “star.”
“When you’re a star, they let you do it. You can do anything,” he tells Bush.
“Obviously I’m embarrassed and ashamed,” Bush said. “It’s no excuse, but this happened eleven years ago – I was younger, less mature, and acted foolishly in playing along. I’m very sorry.”
Trump, meanwhile, initially dismissed the talk as being mere “locker room” banter, only to then issue a longer apology in video form.
You can watch it here:
“I 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 the more than 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.”
In the wake of this scandal, numerous Republicans have pulled their support for Trump.
Many have also called for Trump to drop out of the Presidential race entirely. But he’s made it clear that this won’t be happening.
There’s a second debate between Trump and Hillary Clinton scheduled for Sunday night.
It should be… interesting, that’s for certain.