Donald Trump made graphic claims about his behavior with an unnamed woman in a video featuring Trump and TV host Billy Bush that was leaked today.
Speaking about a soap opera actress, Trump describes in crass language how he tried to hit on the woman previously but was not successful. You can hear the audio here. He was wearing a hot mic and did not know he was being recorded.
The presidential candidate released a statement soon after: "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.”
News of video tore across Twitter, and the negative reactions, specifically about the violent nature of some of his words, came just as swiftly.
House Speaker Paul Ryan said he was "sickened" by Trump's comments, and said Trump would no longer join him for a campaign event in his home state of Wisconsin on Saturday.
"No woman should ever be described in these terms or talked about in this manner. Ever," Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus said.
Many people took to Twitter to share their outrage at Trump's comments.
2016. Nate Parker. Brock Turner. Bill Cosby. Donald Trump.
— Karen Attiah (@KarenAttiah) October 7, 2016
"The story of Donald Trump’s misogyny is so old that if it were a person, Donald Trump probably would not date it." https://t.co/24QdUq4ZcS
— Jamil Smith (@JamilSmith) October 7, 2016
Donald Trump doesn't understand — or care — about consent.
— Justin Miller (@justinjm1) October 7, 2016
"it's just locker room chat"
— Alexandra Petri (@petridishes) October 7, 2016
"oh yes of course the room where you go to take off your pants and talk about women like they're not people"
I am working on a pet theory that Donald Trump is an extremely bad person.
— Jonathan Chait (@jonathanchait) October 7, 2016
If Donald Trump thinks that being a TV star allows him to "grab [women] by the p***y," imagine what he'll think he can do as president.
— Laila Lalami (@LailaLalami) October 7, 2016
All jokes aside, what Trump is describing is sexual assault and he is a vile, abusive monster. But we knew that already.
— billy eichner (@billyeichner) October 7, 2016
Holy shit.
— Patton Oswalt (@pattonoswalt) October 7, 2016
Trump...might have just been defeated by a Bush. Never would've picked Billy, but I'll take it.
Sen. Kelly Ayotte responds to Trump audio: "His comments are totally inappropriate and offensive."
— Bradd Jaffy (@BraddJaffy) October 7, 2016