Billy Bush Apologizes For Trump Talk — Is It Enough?

THE PROBLEM WITH BILLY BUSH

Here’s the thing about Billy Bush. We never knew much about his personality. He was on some breezy shows with superficial content, which did not require much of his own input. Much like Ryan Seacrest, his job was to move things along in a seamless fashion, and to provide celebrities with an easy forum to promote their content. So when a clip between Billy Bush and Donald Trump gave us a window into Bush’s personality for the first time, he was sunk. There simply wasn’t enough data for push up against this man’s new image, and without that, there’s little to no hope of a career cleanse. Many have pointed out that Donald Trump became President and Billy Bush became unemployed, but I’d need a much longer post to explain how Trump got elected. For now, let’s stick to Billy.

BILLY BUSH’S FIRST INTERVIEW

In a recent interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Bush is clear about his regret, and he blames his inability to change the subject with Trump to not having the necessary “strength of character.” He claims that the experience left him “gutted” and that he’s done an extensive amount of soul searching in its wake, which includes time with Tony Robbins and a spiritual retreat. He also reminds us that he’s raising three daughters whom he had to answer to, saying:

I’ve come out of this with a deeper understanding of how women can connect to the feeling of having to fight extra hard for an even playing field. The ground isn’t even. Maybe it’s improving, but still it isn’t even. When a woman watches that tape — and this is what really hit me — they may be asking themselves, “Is that what happens when I walk out of a room? When I walk out of a meeting, is that what they’re saying about me? Are they sizing me up?” I can’t live with that. If a moment like that arose again, I would shut it down quickly. I am in the women-raising business, exclusively. I have three daughters — Mary, Lillie, Josie — and I care very much about the world and the people they encounter.

SHOULD WE FORGIVE BILLY BUSH?

So should we forgive Billy Bush, and is this enough? Though it might be a controversial claim, I like this version of Bush a little better. For starters, I am fundamentally put off by press robots with no personality, and seeing a man at his knees, begging for forgiveness, is good enough to take him out of that space. I believe he’s contrite, and if it took losing a job to do that — then fine. A man’s livelihood is often tied to his job, and even though Billy Bush walked away from all of this a very rich man, he also walked away unemployed. I also believe him when he likens the conversation in question to Andrew Dice Clay. He likely thought Trump was being outrageous for shock value, rather than an actual account of how he physically and literally “grabs women by the pussy.” According to Bush, “if [he] had thought for a minute that there was a grown man detailing his sexual assault strategy to [him], [he’d] have called the FBI.” The issue; however, will always lie in Bush encouraging the host to physically hug Trump AFTER Trump made those comments. That moves his participation from passive to active, which is the key problem. I’d guess Bush knows that, and he does not need me to remind him.

WHAT WOULD YOU HAVE DONE IN THAT SITUATION?

Though even in my very young days, I’ve never let a bully win, and I’ve never let my desire to be liked overpower my integrity, I’ve certainly been guilty of saying and doing things of which I’m not proud, and the only thing that has caused substantial character growth is age, experience, and tongue-lashings of my more evolved peers. Fortunately, you’ll never know about those character digressions because I’m not a public figure, and because my peers are a select group of people I trust, not the entire world. I think Billy Bush has had enough. If all our issues left us permanently unemployed, the economy would tank.

In Defense of Billy Bush

The rise of social media has brought justice upon individuals that would otherwise go unpunished, but it has also brought unjust punishment to those who would ordinarily get a slap on the wrist. When Billy Bush engaged in “locker room” talk with Donald Trump, who led a conversation about how his advances toward the then-married Nancy O’Dell went unrequited, and how he attempts to kiss women whether they like it or not, the public viewed Bush as complicit. He should have spoken up. He should have said, “Donald, don’t talk that way. That’s uncalled for, and I won’t tolerate it. Women deserve to be respected, and you should not hit on married women.” Most importantly, he should not have laughed.

The entire event reminded me of a recent lunch I experienced with a friend of a friend, who made a comment I deemed racist. I did speak up. I said it wasn’t cool, and I wouldn’t tolerate it in my presence. The conversation quickly came to a halt, and things got awkward. Those who know me are well aware I am not afraid of confrontation. I am not easily intimidated by authority, and there’s no amount of money, fame, or recognition you can offer that would make me sacrifice my integrity. But I am a rare breed. Most people do not want confrontation. Most people can remember those “locker room” moments where they don’t want to be the odd man out, and they participate in deplorable behavior even though it does not reflect their character. They vow to be better people the next time around, and they feel silently ashamed.

I don’t know Billy Bush. Perhaps he is a misogynist. Perhaps he does not respect women. Perhaps he is personally friends with Donald Trump and agreed with his off-color, offensive comments. But to repeat my original point, I don’t know him, and neither do you. We all make mistakes in the workplace and don’t get fired for them. We all do things of which we’re ashamed and silently correct them without the world watching. And if the world wasn’t watching, would Billy Bush be suspended? Or would he simply be privately admonished? Before you judge him, take a long, hard look in the mirror and ask yourself whether you too would like to be forgiven for your own mistakes.

Megyn Kelly Squashes Donald Trump Feud: WATCH NOW

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Megyn Kelly’s interview with Donald Trump was more of a schmooze-fest than a showdown, and perhaps that’s a good thing. I have long maintained that the Kelly debate question which sparked their sparring was inappropriate, but that’s neither here nor there. Trump continued to hit her back harder on his campaign trail, and Kelly took it in stride. And to prove her cool status, she actually called Trump to squash the beef, and he complied. The interview is worth a watch, if only for the very end when Trump hilariously proclaims that if he loses, he will have viewed his entire campaign as a complete and total failure. Trump shed light on his hurt feelings, his hit-them-back harder approach to the press, and his respect for Kelly’s gesture. Watch below.

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NBC Dumps Trump: “YOU’RE FIRED!”

If Donald Trump’s run for President is in fact a publicity stunt, it’s a bad one. His controversial comments about Mexican immigrants has caused a concerning ripple effect for many of Trump’s most coveted ventures, including Miss USA. Univision has since dumped Trump from its Miss USA broadcast, which Trump insists will result in a breach of contract lawsuit. And after a lot of pressure, NBC has done the same, axing their airings of Miss USA and Miss Universe. As for Trump’s response, he’s standing firm, attempting to justify his remarks with further, messy clarification (see the video below).

I’m not afraid to admit my previous affection for Trump, given my viewer loyalty to The Apprentice. In recent years; however, he’s become ever-the-more bloated in his ridiculous rants, as if he’s untouchable, which he is not. While there is certainly value in an unfiltered approach to a Presidential run sans all political hoop-jumping, that approach is worthless if it’s cartoonishly irrational. No one wants to talk to the crazy, angry guy at the coffee shop that interrupts your latte with lunacy, and Trump is just about there. I’d encourage him to back peddle quickly, eat a slice of humble pie, and disappear until this stench loses its odor.

Empire by Trump: A Father’s Day Fragrance

Donald Trump knows how to brand his babies, and Empire by Trump is no exception. The new men’s fragrance can be found exclusively at Macy’s, and it’s the perfect present for deserving dads in need of a confident scent that commands attention. With bold notes of peppermint, spicy chai and a hint of juicy apple combined with masculine florals, the seductive musky fragrance is a must-have father’s day gift. As for the bottle itself, the sleek design and packaging with hints of gold-tone details suggests it’s true to Trump’s expensive taste.

Penn Jillette v. Clay Aiken — Does Art Beat Money?

Two weeks ago on Celebrity Apprentice, Penn Jillette had a fight with Clay Aiken about a fundraising task which involved Jillette’s very well-known Vegas friends and performers, Blue Man Group. In short, Blue Man Group agreed to donate eight thousand dollars, but they delivered it by popping a money-filled-balloon at the end of their performance, which resulted in some of the money being lost to random people on the street. Aiken was furious at the lost money, and he basically called Jillette ridiculous for the entire idea. After reading Jillette’s incredibly moving and well-written article on the Huffington Post about what happened, I’m officially in love with him. He described his love of art as more powerful than his love of money, and he detailed his struggle in explaining that to Trump and Aiken, saying, “Trying to explain to Donald Trump that beauty and art can be more important than money is like trying to explain to Donald Trump that beauty and art can be more important than money.” He also said that this was the “episode where Donald Trump understood that he didn’t understand me, and feeling misunderstood by Donald Trump and Clay Aiken is its own kind of joy.” Wow. Here’s hoping I can interview Penn Jillette one day.

Donald Trump’s Children Kill Animals For Sport — Outrage Ensues

Pictures surfaced of Donald Trump’s children on a hunting trip in Zimbabwe proudly smiling beside a freshly killed elephant, crocodile, kudu cat and water buck. In response to the public’s outcry over the disturbing photos, Trump Jr. simply said, ” I have no shame about [the pics]. I HUNT & EAT game … I’m a hunter, for that I make no apologies.” Though I understand the hypocrisy of eating meat and criticizing hunters, it’s the nature of the pictures that sparked the outrage. Food is a necessity, but smiling beside a freshly killed animal with pride is disgusting and morbid.

Rosie O’Donnell Shark-Fishes — HORRIBLE!

Though I am not a vegetarian, I am fundamentally against killing animals for sport or smiling beside the dead body of an animal one just killed. Such is the case with Rosie O’Donnell, who has recently sparked controversy for appearing with her children beside a dead hammerhead shark, which she caught while shark-fishing in Florida. Sharks are over-fished and risk extinction, and Florida recently banned the activity (note: the activity was banned after O’Donnell’s heinous excursion). To make matters worse, this isn’t her first time shark-fishing. O’Donnell made light of it when the public got angry, issuing a mock service announcement, which included a dig at Donald Trump. I realize that humor can often get one out of trouble (see Alec Baldwin), but that tactic is inappropriate here.

Donald Trump NOT Running For President — SHOCKER!

Did anyone actually think that Donald Trump was serious about running for President? The most surprising thing about this entire debacle is that news outlets actually took the time to report his antics. I take that back. The most surprising thing is that President Obama actually released his birth certificate, as per Trump’s recommendation. What’s next? Will Richard Simmons run for President and demand that Obama run around in little shorts?

Seth Meyers Kills it at White House Dinner — Trump Didn’t Laugh

Now might be a good time to confess my gigantic crush on Seth Meyers, the head writer for Saturday Night Live. And after watching his performance at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, my crush has officially become an obsession. My favorite part of the evening was when Meyers took aim at Donald Trump, who deserved it. Instead of taking it in stride, Trump looked noticeably pissed, and didn’t smile once. He later called Seth Meyers a “stutterer” and said he was “inappropriate.” First, how dare Donald Trump say anything negative about my future husband. And second, can’t the guy take a joke? Trump reminds me of a schoolyard bully who picks on everyone until some tiny kid stomps on his toe, and then he marches off crying to his mommy. If you can’t take it Mr. Trump, then don’t dish it out. Watch the very yummy Seth Meyers in action below.