After the backlash from firing Ann Curry and the "Nightly News" debacle courtesy of Brian Williams, NBC is faced again with unrest as Billy Bush, host of the 9 o'clock hour of "Today", is being benched for his involvement in the lewd video from 2005 with Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump.
As reported by News Thrive, the suspension came after NBC was criticized for its initial decision of not imposing any disciplinary action to Bush after his discussion with Trump about groping women before taping an appearance on "Access Hollywood." Both men were unaware their microphones were on at the time of the lewd conversation.
On the other hand, USA Today reported that in a roundtable discussion with "Today" host Savannah Guthrie, Lester Holt (filling in for Matt Lauer) and NBC political correspondents Chuck Todd, Nicole Wallace and Steve Kornacki, the tape was obliquely referred to in reference to how Trump spoke about it during the debate. At the end of the discussion, Guthrie then faced the camera and addressed Bush's suspension.
"We want to note one other thing: Pending further review of the matter, NBC News has suspended Billy Bush, who now hosts Today's third hour, for his role in the conversation with Donald Trump," Guthrie said.
"Today" show boss Noah Oppenheim broke the news to staffers in a memo Sunday night shortly before Trump and Clinton squared off at the second presidential debate. "I know we've all been deeply troubled by the revelations of the past 48 hours. Let me be clear --- there is simply no excuse for Billy's language and behavior on that tape," he wrote.
"NBC has decided to suspend Billy, pending further review of this matter."
Bush, however, has already apologized for his language and behavior in the tape on Friday last week, saying he was "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," he added.
