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 Bush, 45, was suspended from hosting duties on NBC's flagship
morning show after tape came to light 10 days ago. In it, Bush
laughed and bantered as Trump, then star of the "Apprentice"
reality TV show, boasted about kissing and groping women without
their permission and trying to seduce a married woman.
NBC said in a statement, "While he was a new member of the
'Today' team, he was a valued colleague and longtime member of
the broader NBC family. We wish him success as he goes forward."
Bush said in a statement that he was "deeply grateful for the
conversations I've had with my daughters, and for all of the
support from family, friends and colleagues."
"I look forward to what lies ahead," he added.
Bush's attorney, Marshall Grossman, said Bush's settlement with
NBC did not include any non-compete restrictions and that Bush
was "free to do whatever he wishes to do professionally."
He declined to reveal the financial terms of the settlement,
citing confidentiality. Grossman had said last week that news
reports of a potential $10 million settlement were false.
Bush, a cousin of former U.S. President George W. Bush, became
one of the co-hosts of the "Today" show in August. The morning
show is one of NBC's most lucrative properties and boasts a
large female viewership.
Trump's wife, Melania Trump, in a interview with CNN that aired
on Monday night, defended her husband over the tape. She accused
Bush of provoking Trump and said he was "led on - like, egged on
- from the host to say dirty and bad stuff."
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In 2005, Bush and Trump were wearing live microphones as they
arrived on set to film a segment for "Access Hollywood," a celebrity
and entertainment news program that Bush hosted at the time and is
also part of the NBC group.
Bush apologized on Oct. 7, saying he was "embarrassed and ashamed"
by his behavior, and NBC announced it was suspending him from
"Today."
Noah Oppenheim, the executive in charge of "Today" had written in a
memo to staff that "there is simply no excuse for Billy's language
and behavior on that tape."
The married woman discussed in the conversation has since been
identified as Bush's "Access Hollywood" co-host Nancy O'Dell.
Last week, O'Dell said that there is "no room for objectification of
women, or anyone for that matter, not even in the locker room."
(Reporting by Piya Sinha-Roy and Jill Serjeant; Editing by Cynthia
Osterman)
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