Entertainment Tonight host Nancy O’Dell has released the following statement in response to comments made by Republican presidential candidate Donald J. Trump that came to light Friday:
“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. 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.”
In a video from 2005 published Friday by The Washington Post, Trump can be heard making lewd comments about women to Access Hollywood host Billy Bush.
In the footage released by the Post, Trump can be heard telling Bush that he unsuccessfully tried to seduce O’Dell, whom he refers to only as “Nancy.”
“I moved on her and I failed,” Trump says. “I’ll admit it. I did try and f*** her. She was married.”
“And I moved on her very heavily,” Trump is later heard saying. “In fact, I took her out furniture shopping. She wanted to get some furniture. I said, ‘I’ll show you where they have some nice furniture.’”
“I moved on her like a b**ch, but I couldn’t get there. And she was married,” he adds.
In a statement released after video surfaced, 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.” He also added, “I apologize if anyone was offended.”
Later Friday night, Trump posted a video in which he delivered additional remarks. “I’ve 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 this more than a decade old video are one of them.” He continued, “Anyone who knows me knows these words don’t reflect who I am. I said it, I was wrong, and I apologize.”
In a statement to ET, Bush said, “Obviously I’m embarrassed and ashamed. 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.”
Join GhanaStar.com to receive daily email alerts of breaking news in Ghana. GhanaStar.com is your source for all Ghana News. Get the latest Ghana news, breaking news, sports, politics, entertainment and more about Ghana, Africa and beyond.