More to say. Entertainment Tonight’s Nancy O’Dell spoke out again about the lewd comments Donald Trump made about her, and women in general, in a recently leaked Access Hollywood video from 2005.
O’Dell — who previously released a statement on Saturday, October 8, in response to the drama — addressed the controversial clip for a second time during the Monday, October 10, taping of ET.
“I feel it’s very important that I address you all directly,” the 50-year-old TV vet said during Monday’s broadcast. “As a journalist for 26 years now, it is my job to bring you news about others, rather than turning the focus on myself. But by now, I’m sure that most of you have heard the audio tape which became national news and part of the presidential race. My name was mentioned and, unfortunately, the release of it has thrown me into the middle of the political arena, of which I didn’t ask to be a part.”
She continued: “I released a statement on Saturday and I truly mean what I said. There is no room for objectification of women, or anybody for that matter, not even in the ‘locker room.'”
In the explosive video — which was leaked to The Washington Post on Friday, October 7 — the Republican presidential candidate, 70, and O’Dell’s former Access Hollywood cohost Billy Bush engage in inappropriate banter about the ex-Celebrity Apprentice star’s failed attempt to sleep with the TV personality.
“I did try and f‑‑k her. She was married.… I moved on her like a bitch, but I couldn’t get there.… Then all of a sudden I see her, she’s now got the big phony tits and everything,” Trump tells Bush in the clip. “She’s totally changed her look.”
In her original statement, O’Dell said, “When I heard the comments yesterday, it was disappointing to hear such objectification of women. The conversation needs to change because no female, no person, should be the subject of such crass comments, whether or not cameras are rolling. Everyone deserves respect no matter the setting or gender.”
The business mogul issued an apology in a Twitter video shortly after the Access Hollywood tape made its way online. “Anyone who knows me knows these words don’t reflect who I am,” he said.
Bush, 44, also said he was sorry in a statement to Us, saying, “Obviously I’m embarrassed and ashamed. 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.”
TMZ reports that in 2007, Trump — who once had partial ownership of NBC’s Miss USA and Miss Universe pageants — wanted to fire O’Dell (who tied the knot with Keith Zubchevich in June 2005) from hosting the Miss USA pageant because he didn’t like how she looked at five months pregnant.
Despite his misogynistic remarks, the real estate tycoon’s wife, Melania Trump, came to his defense in a statement released on Sunday.
“The words my husband used are unacceptable and offensive to me,” said Melania, who was pregnant with their son, Barron, at the time the comments were made by the real estate mogul. “This does not represent the man that I know. He has the heart and mind of a leader. I hope people will accept his apology, as I have, and focus on the important issues facing our nation and the world.”
