Two days before what is widely seen as a make-or-break presidential debate, Donald Trump was again forced to defend himself against Republicans and Democrats after a tape emerged of him speaking about groping women, adultery and other crude, sexually aggressive comments.
In the recording, published by the Washington Post, the Republican presidential nominee speaks of trying and failing to seduce a married woman during a 2005 conversation with Billy Bush, a television host, that took place before they taped a segment for "Access Hollywood." Republican leaders condemned Trump's comments but stopped short of withdrawing their endorsement.
“I did try and f--- her. She was married,” Trump, whose third marriage began earlier that year, said in the video. He also said he would "grab them by the p---y," referring to women he was attracted to. “And when you’re a star they let you do it,” he says. “You can do anything.”
In the most stinging rebuke, the Republican presidential nominee was uninvited from a campaign event with Speaker of the House Paul Ryan Saturday in Wisconsin.
“I am sickened by what I heard today," Ryan said in statement. ``Women are to be championed and revered, not objectified. I hope Mr. Trump treats this situation with the seriousness it deserves and works to demonstrate to the country that he has greater respect for women than this clip suggests. In the meantime, he is no longer attending tomorrow’s event in Wisconsin.”