Candidate for the US presidential, Donald Trump has apologized for the lewd comments about women he made in a recently released videotape from 2005.
Trump said that “these words do not reflect what I am … I apologize.”
In the video, Mr. Trump says “do nothing” for women “when you’re a star” and boasts of trying to kiss and grope women.
“We can not allow this man to become president,” he posted on Twitter.
90 seconds of the statement by Mr. Trump in Saturday morning seemed to be his first apology in a mixed campaign with controversial statements.
“I have said and done things I regret,” he said. “Anyone who knows me knows that these words do not reflect what I am. I said, I was wrong, and I apologize.
“I never said I was a perfect person and I pretended to be someone I’m not. I promise to be a man better tomorrow.”
However, he also tried to deflect the impact attacking former President Bill Clinton.
The videotape statement comes at a more inopportune time for the Republican candidate, who was trying to use debate performance well received by his running mate on Tuesday to restart his campaign after a week of controversy distractions and time.
On Wednesday, he told a local news interviewer that his previous offensive comments about women – were made with the “entertainment purpose” – that have dogged his campaign from the first Republican primary debate last August.
That explanation does not fit the rude Trump, newlywed shown in the video that has private about her efforts to seduce a married woman and have his way with whomever he pleases.
Now Mr. Trump will enter Sunday’s debate with a new management cloud over his candidacy. It is almost certain that one of the participants in the council ask him about it. It may be no easy way to answer – but Mr. Trump will have to find an acceptable answer. If you spoil it, nothing says during the 90-minute debate will matter.
“Bill Clinton has abused women actually, and Hillary has harassed, attacked and embarrassed his victims.
“We will discuss this in the coming days,” he said. “See you in the debate on Sunday.”
The second televised debate between Mr. Trump and Clinton will take place on Sunday night in St. Louis.
Trump recently said he would not bring stories about Bill Clinton’s infidelities in the debate, having been threatening to do so.
The latest opinion polls suggest that Clinton is pulling ahead in key states and Mr. Trump will have a good debate performance to curb the trend.
In the video, published by the Washington Post, Mr. Trump is heard presuming TV presenter Billy Bush for trying to have sex with a married woman and kissing and groping others.
The clip was part of the material emitted from a segment of Access Hollywood the appearance of Mr. Trump in the days of our lives soap opera.
“I moved in it and could not. I admit,” Mr. Trump is heard saying. “I was married. And I moved in her very strongly.
“I moved over her like a bitch, but I could not get there. And she was married. Then suddenly, I see her, she now has big tits false and everything. She has completely changed her appearance.”
Later in the conversation, he told Bush he was “automatically attracted to the beautiful” women and often tried to kiss them.
“I just started kissing them,” he said. “Do not even expect. And when you’re a star, will let you do it. You can do anything.”
Top Republicans were outraged by the comments.
Paul Ryan President of the Chamber said he was “sickened by what I heard today” and rescinded its invitation to Mr. Trump to attend the Republican Autumn Festival in his home state of Wisconsin this weekend.
Majority Leader of the Senate, Mitch McConnell, said the comments were “disgusting” and added that Mr. Trump “has to apologize directly to women and girls everywhere.”
Another top Republican, John McCain, said he had “no excuse for Donald Trump offensive and demeaning comments.”
Meanwhile, Billy Bush said he was “embarrassed” by and “shame” of the contents of the video.
“It’s not an excuse, but this happened 11 years ago. I was younger, less mature, and acted foolishly to play along. I’m sorry.”
Trump has said that recent comments are “nothing more than a distraction” and “jokes costume”.
Once famously he said, in a campaign in January: “It could be in the middle of 5th Avenue and shoot someone and not lose voters.”
He will be hoping his latest comments continue that trend.
