Donald Trump issues apology after controversial video sparks firestorm

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(WSLS 10)- Donald Trump late Friday issued an apology for crude comments he made about women in 2005, saying in a video posted online that "I said it, I was wrong and I apologize."

The comments recorded on a hot mic sparked a firestorm of criticism from fellow Republicans. "I've never said I'm a perfect person, nor pretended to be someone that I'm not," Trump said.

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"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," Trump said in the video statement.

"Anyone who knows me knows these words don't reflect who I am. I said it, I was wrong and I apologize," he said.

Sources told NBC News earlier that various advisers and senior campaign officials argued to the candidate that Trump should go beyond his initial written statement in an effort to more clearly apologize for his words in advance of Sunday's debate.

Here is my statement. 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. Anyone who knows me, know these words don’t reflect who I am. I said it, it was wrong, and I apologize. I’ve travelled the country talking about change for America. But my travels have also changed me. I’ve spent time with grieving mothers who’ve lost their children, laid off workers whose jobs have gone to other countries, and people from all walks of life who just want a better future. I have gotten to know the great people of our country, and I’ve been humbled by the faith they’ve placed in me. I pledge to be a better man tomorrow, and will never, ever let you down. Let’s be honest. We’re living in the real world. This is nothing more than a distraction from the important issues we are facing today. We are losing our jobs, we are less safe than we were 8 years ago and Washington is broken. Hillary Clinton, and her kind, have run our country into the ground. I’ve said some foolish things, but there is a big difference between words and actions. Bill Clinton has actually abused women and Hillary has bullied, attacked, shamed and intimidated his victims. We will discuss this more in the coming days. See you at the debate on Sunday.

Posted by Donald J. Trump on Friday, October 7, 2016

The 2005 recording shows Trump talking about groping and kissing women — "When you're a star, they let you do it. You can do anything," he said, adding "Grab 'em by the p***y." He went on to describe trying to seduce a married woman.

The comments, recorded by a hot mic on an "Access Hollywood" bus, sparked sharp criticism from fellow Republicans when audio was published Friday. Billy Bush, who was then host of "Access Hollywood," was a party to Trump's comments at the time.

Now with the TODAY show, Bush apologized in a statement Friday night.

"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," Bush said in the statement.

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Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus said in a statement: "No woman should ever be described in these terms or talked about in this manner. Ever."

Trump repeated some campaign talking points in the video he released, and said "I pledge to be a better man tomorrow, and will never ever let you down."

"Let's be honest, we're living in the real world. This is nothing more than a distraction from the important issues we're facing today," Trump said.

He then repeated an earlier written statement that pointed to Bill Clinton's scandals, and said Hillary Clinton "has bullied, attacked, shamed and intimidated his victims."

"I've said some foolish things, but there is a big difference between words and actions. Bill Clinton has actually abused women and Hillary has bullied, attacked, shamed and intimidated his victims. We will discuss this more in the coming days," the statement said.

House Speaker Paul Ryan said he was "sickened" by Trump's comments on women, and announced the nominee would no longer attend a high-profile scheduled event with Ryan and Priebus in Wisconsin on Saturday.

U.S. Rep. Jason Chaffetz, a Republican from Utah, withdrew his endorsement for Trump Friday. "I'm out," Chaffetz told CNN.


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