The end is near. Billy Bush’s exit from Today is imminent, a source tells Us Weekly. The insider confirms to Us that the TV personality, 44, won’t be returning to the morning show following his Donald Trump tape scandal.
“He’s definitely gone. A lot of people feel so bad for him. He’s a good guy. He made a mistake, but he’s a genuinely good guy,” the source explains to Us. “They don’t see any way he can go back on morning TV after this.”
As previously reported, an incriminating 2005 Access Hollywood video featuring the Today cohost and Trump, 70, leaked to The Washington Post on Friday, October 7.
In the controversial clip, Bush and Trump make vulgar comments about women and engage in misogynistic banter about the former Celebrity Apprentice star’s failed attempt to “f–k” a married woman (later to be identified as Nancy O’Dell) before filming a segment for AH. Both men were unaware that their mics were turned on.
Shortly after the release of the 11-year-old video, Bush issued an apology in a statement to Us.
“Obviously I’m embarrassed and ashamed,” he told Us on Friday. “It’s no excuse, but this happened 11 years ago — I was younger, less mature and acted foolishly in playing along. I’m very sorry.”
Despite his remorse, NBC announced on Monday, October 10, that he was suspended from Today indefinitely.
“We want to note one other thing. Pending further review of the matter, NBC News has suspended Billy Bush as the host of Today‘s third hour for his role in that conversation with Donald Trump,” Savannah Guthrie told viewers during Monday’s broadcast.
According to CNN, Bush’s departure “is not a matter of ‘when,’ but ‘if.’” One of the news outlet’s insiders said that his exit will be announced “in the coming days.”
As producers in New York City strategize, Bush has been spending time in Los Angeles with his family. He was spotted stepping out to lunch with his daughter Josie in L.A.’s Encino neighborhood on Monday, October 10.
A source previously told Us that the anchor was in tears after his sexist conversation with Trump came to light. “Billy was devastated and crying when the leaked tape of him with Donald Trump in 2005 was first leaked to The Washington Post,” the insider told Us of his fragile emotional state. “He was crying that his career was over.”