Former Access Hollywood anchor Billy Bush reveals that he was โnot prepared for what happenedโ after audio from a 2005 conversation between him and Donald Trump was leaked during the 2016 election.
In an upcoming interview with CBSโ Gayle King about the leak and its aftermath โ that resulted in the loss of his Today gig โ Bush says that he โgot taken outโ even though he wasnโt the target.
โI just start kissing them. Itโs like a magnet. Just kiss. I donโt even wait. And when youโre a star, they let you do it. You can do anything,โ reality TV star Trump was overheard saying in the 2005 video. โGrab โem by the pussy. You can do anything.โ

The tape became infamous for Trumpโs vulgar comments toward women and would become derided in posters and the ubiquitous pink hats worn by those attending the Womenโs March.
In a preview of his upcoming interview on CBS This Morning with Gayle King, Bush said that โeverybody at the network,โ NBC, was aware of the tape but that he didnโt think it would be โweaponizedโ in the way that it was following its release.
โI was told, โYouโre good, donโt worry about it. Itโs not you, you didnโt say anything,'โ Bush recounted before describing how he had to hear from his driver that the network had canceled his car and, effectively, his job. โI got taken out, but I wasnโt the target.โ
Later, Bush acknowledged that because he was in his first year as a co-host on Access Hollywood, he felt more pressured to go along with Trumpโs comments.

โTrumpโs the kind of guy who would say, โForget Billy Bush,'โ Bush said. โYouโre a little anxious around him because you just want it to end well and get out.โ
Bush is returning to TV as a host of Extra on Monday. Kingโs full interview with Bush will air on CBS Tuesday at 7 a.m. ET.