NBC announces Billy Bush has been suspended indefinitely for his 'inexcusable' comments to Donald Trump caught on hot mic recording

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NBC has announced Billy Bush has been suspended indefinitely from the Today show over his lewd comments with Donald Trump that were recorded on a hot mic.

Today executive Noah Oppenheim announced Bush's ban in an email to the show's team on Sunday night.

'Dear TODAY Family - I know we've all been deeply troubled by the revelations of the past 48 hours,' the statement read.

NBC has announced Billy Bush has been suspended indefinitely from the Today show over his lewd comments with Donald Trump that were recorded on a hot mic

Arianne Zucker (middle) walks between Donald Trump and Billy Bush moments after Bush referred to her as 'hot' in a hot-mic recording in 2005

When the pair stepped off the bus, Bush instructed Zucker to give Trump a hug before saying: 'How about a little hug for the Bushy?'

'Let me be clear - there is simply no excuse for Billy's language and behavior on that tape. NBC has decided to suspend Billy, pending further review of this matter.

'If any of you have any questions or concerns please reach out to me directly, anytime day or night.

'Best, Noah.'

Bush, the nephew of former President George H.W. Bush, was recorded on a video, obtained by the Washington Post, on an Access Hollywood set in 2005 with Donald Trump.

The pair were on the set of the soap opera Days of Our Lives. Trump was about to record a segment on the show and Bush was there to interview him when the newlywed billionaire started bragging about his attempts to seduce a married woman and boasting about how being a 'star' meant he could get away with 'anything' when trying to bed a woman.

The shocking outburst captured Trump, who didn't realize the conversation was being recorded, detailing his pursuit of Nancy O'Dell, while Bush was heard commenting and laughing. 

From the bus they had ridden to the set, Bush pointed out to Trump an actress, Arianne Zucker, who was there to greet them. 

Bush called the actress "hot," adding an expletive. 

After getting off the bus, Bush asks the actress to hug Trump, then adds, 'How about a little hug for the Bushy?' 

Today executive Noah Oppenheim announced Bush's (pictured right with Natalie Morales) ban in an email to the show's team on Sunday night. Al Roker (left) is set to replace him

Bush apologized for his role in the recording on Friday, saying in a statement: 'Obviously I'm embarrassed and ashamed. It's no excuse, but this happened eleven years ago - I was younger, less mature, and acted foolishly in playing along. I'm very sorry.' 

The Los Angeles Times reports veteran presenter and Bush's co-host Al Roker, who was meant to have the week off for medical reasons, has been called in to take the disgraced host's spot. 

The announcement comes a network insider told DailyMail.com staff members considered Bush 'polarizing', and said he should resign or be sacked immediately.

'He can't stay on a show that's primary viewing audience is women when he has now been caught in a conversation that is offensive to women everywhere,' the source said.

Today executive Noah Oppenheim (pictured) said Bush's comments were inexcusable 

'He was a highly polarizing figure who at times acted like an entitled jock and this annoyed his colleagues.

'It's disgusting that he would let someone talk about his former colleague Nancy O'Dell in that way. 

'And if he doesn't resign, NBC needs to act immediately and fire him. Even if this was 11 years ago it speaks to his character or lack of character.'

Bush has been brutalized on his own Facebook page since the tape surfaced. Hundreds of hostile comments were attached to Bush's last posting Friday - of him distributing a plate of bacon to "Today" viewers outside of the show's studio. 'You are sickening!' one woman wrote, in a comment that nearly 5,000 had "liked" through Sunday afternoon.

Angering women viewers of a show as important to NBC's bottom line as Today is no small matter. Many viewers upset by 2012's messy dumping of Ann Curry as Today host took it out on colleague Matt Lauer; the show's ratings still haven't recovered. Women make up the majority of Today viewers, particularly in the last two hours of it s run.

Bush has only been at Today for two months, where he's had a rocky start. He was the reporter to whom American swimmer Ryan Lochte lied about being robbed at the Olympics. When Bush later tried to defend Lochte on Today, he was dressed down by colleague Al Roker.

The Access Hollywood tape was an embarrassment on multiple levels for NBC News. The news division for days had been aware of the tape from the NBC-owned entertainment show, but was scooped by The Washington Post on Friday when the newspaper was tipped off about its existence and got a story out within hours.