Billy Bush just dropped a bombshell that rewrites the Access Hollywood timeline. The former anchor claims he reported Donald Trump’s lewd 2005 comments the same day they were recorded — but NBC ignored his warning to protect its top moneymaker. The accusation came out during Bush’s recent appearance on Rob Lowe’s Literally! podcast, where he claimed that Trump’s reputation as “king of the ratings” and a “$100 million profit source” for the network made him untouchable. “Had that tape leaked when it happened,” Bush said, “I would’ve been fired for a different reason: killing their cash cow.” Bush added that he flagged the moment to producers right after the taping, specifically referencing Trump targeting co-host Nancy O’Dell. But the full content — including Trump’s now-infamous “grab them by the p—-” line — was apparently overlooked or downplayed.
Considering how long it was kept hidden, Bush believes the network shelved it quietly despite clear red flags. The tape sat untouched until 2016, when Trump first ran for president, and NBC was suddenly searching its archives for anything that could damage him. It’s only then that the tape was leaked, and it cost Bush his job, not for what he said, but for being caught in the crossfire. Though his role on the tape was mostly passive, his laughter and silence became damning. NBC cut ties with him within days. Now, Bush claims his downfall was less about what was caught on that tape and more about NBC’s shifting political interest in exposing Trump once he was no longer their asset.
Why the Timing of NBC’s Leak Now Matters More Than Ever
What Bush is alleging cuts deeper than a bad look — he’s accusing NBC of knowingly suppressing damaging material for over a decade, protecting Trump until he was no longer profitable for them, which exposes the network’s priorities. He paints a picture of a media giant flipping its stance only when it became politically useful. First, protect the asset. Then, take him out. Additionally, Bush claims NBC executives launched an internal search in 2016 for any recordings where Trump demeaned women, and that’s when a former producer remembered “the bus tape” — the very same moment that Bush had reported years earlier.
This context reframes the 2016 leak as more than a journalistic scoop, removing any goodwill they may have earned from exposing the truth. Bush’s claims suggest it was a strategic release, part of a calculated move against a now-hostile former partner. According to Bush, the network didn’t act out of ethics but out of opportunity. And when they decided it was time to act, he became collateral damage. “They had what they thought was the one thing,” Bush said. “And whoever the collateral damage is? Tough s—.” This opens up an entirely new discussion about the infamous recording, making Bush seem like an innocent party. However, with Bush choosing to speak out now, nearly a decade after the fallout, it raises the same question as NBC’s leak: why now?
Sources: Apple Podcast, YouTube
