Billy Bush is officially leaving NBC.
“Today” show staff were notified on Monday that Bush will no longer be hosting the show’s 9 o’clock hour, effective immediately.
“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 said in a statement.
Bush had officially been placed on suspension from the network earlier this month following the release of 2005 audio featuring the then-“Access Hollywood” host making lewd comments with Donald Trump. He had since been negotiating the terms of his exit from the network.
Previous reports had put the settlement at $10 million, a number disputed by Bush’s attorney Marshall Grossman.
Days before the second presidential debate, The Washington Post published a videotape of Trump on a hot mic boasting about kissing, groping and having sex with women. “When you’re a star, they let you do anything … I don’t even wait. And when you’re a star, they let you do it. You can do anything,” he said. “Grab ’em by the pu–y.”
Bush is heard throughout the tape agreeing with Trump as he made disparaging remarks about a married woman, and even egged him on. It was later revealed that the woman in question was Nancy O’Dell, who was the co-host of “Access Hollywood” at the time.
Bush came forward to immediately apologize after the tape was leaked, saying he was “embarrassed and ashamed.”