Following the leaked 2005 “Access Hollywood” videotape showing entertainment reporter Billy Bush, 45, and Donald Trump making lewd and misogynistic remarks about women, Bush has resigned.
He was hosting the 9 a.m. hour of “The Today Show,” was first suspended indefinitely by the network upon further review and the announcement was made on October 10. By October 11, the negotiations began.
Bush is represented by prominent L.A. litigator Marshall Grossman. TMZ was first to report that Bush and NBC reached a settlement. According to the site, he had signed a three-year, $3.5 million deal with the network in August before he began hosting the 9 a.m. hour of Today. The exact terms of the deal were not revealed, but TMZ reports that he’s happy with the terms. NBC and Bush confirmed in statements, which you can read below, the divorce is real.
“I am 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.”
Bush did not sign a non-compete agreement with NBC. Their statement read:
“Billy Bush will be leaving the Today show’s 9 a.m. hour, effective today,” reads a memo fromToday senior vp Noah Oppenheim sent out to staff on Monday. “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.”
In other news, Melania Trump defended the Donald in an interview with Anderson Cooper saying she believes Bush “egged on” her husband during the vulgar conversation that was taped back in 2005.
NBC made no immediate announcement about who will replace Bush on the 9 a.m. hour of “Today” but Bush can go and join Kelly Ripa on ABC as soon as tomorrow if he pleases.
