Access Hollywood tape
Background
The "Access Hollywood" tape refers to a video recording from 2005, featuring a conversation between television host Billy Bush and businessman Donald Trump, who would later become the 45th President of the United States. The conversation, which took place on a bus on the set of the television show "Access Hollywood," was recorded without the participants' knowledge. The tape was leaked to the public in October 2016, during the final stages of the 2016 United States presidential election.
Content of the Tape
The tape begins with Trump and Bush discussing Trump's failed attempt to seduce a married woman, later identified as Nancy O'Dell, a co-host on "Access Hollywood." Trump uses explicit language to describe his attempts to seduce O'Dell, and he also makes lewd comments about her physical appearance. The conversation then shifts to a discussion of Trump's approach to women in general, with Trump making several controversial statements about his behavior towards women.
Public Reaction
The release of the Access Hollywood tape caused a significant public outcry. Many people were shocked by the explicit and derogatory language used by Trump in the recording, and the tape quickly became a major issue in the 2016 presidential election. Critics of Trump used the tape as evidence of his disrespect for women, while his supporters dismissed it as "locker room talk."
Impact on the 2016 Presidential Election
The Access Hollywood tape was released just two days before the second presidential debate between Trump and his Democratic opponent, Hillary Clinton. The tape became a major focus of the debate, with Clinton arguing that it revealed Trump's true character, while Trump apologized for his comments but also tried to deflect attention by bringing up allegations of sexual misconduct against Clinton's husband, former President Bill Clinton.
Despite the controversy surrounding the tape, Trump was able to weather the storm and went on to win the election in November 2016. Some political analysts believe that the release of the tape actually galvanized Trump's base, as they saw the media's focus on the tape as evidence of bias against Trump.
Aftermath
In the years following the release of the Access Hollywood tape, its impact has continued to be felt. The tape has been cited as a key factor in the rise of the #MeToo movement, which has sought to expose and combat sexual harassment and assault in various industries. Trump himself has faced ongoing criticism for his comments on the tape, and the incident has been a recurring topic in discussions of his presidency.