Billy Bush's co-host fights back tears speaking about his suspension as it is revealed his NBC voicemail says he is 'busy making America great again'

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Billy Bush's former Access Hollywood co-host Kit Hoover fought back tears on Monday morning while speaking about the Today anchor's recent suspension by NBC.

'He was always in my corner. I was just devastated to watch all this unfold because the Billy that I know - and that a lot of people would say - has the biggest heart of anybody, and he is a good person,' said Hoover.

Natalie Morales the chimed in to say a few positive things about Bush as well, stating: 'I will say that one of the first people to call me and congratulate me when I announced that I would be getting this job was Billy.'

She then added: 'He also offered advice and offered to help with my move and transition.'

Bush is doing a poor job trying of distancing himself from Donald Trump despite the fact that audio of a conversation he had with the Republican hopeful over a decade ago has led to his indefinite absence from Today.

A call to the Today anchor's work phone reveals that his voicemail says: 'You've reached Billy Bush's office, he's busy making America great again, please leave a message.' 

People meanwhile is reporting that some of the women on the set of Today are hoping that Bush does not return to the program. 

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Difficult: Billy Bush's former Access Hollywood co-host Kit Hoover fought back tears speaking about his suspension on Monday (Hoover above with Natalie Morales)

Hard times: 'I was just devastated to watch all this unfold because the Billy that I know ... has the biggest heart of anybody,' she said

Poor word choice: Bush's voicemail at NBC is a male voice saying: 'You've reached Billy Bush's office, he's busy making America great again' (Bush and Natalie Morales above in 2013)

'Tamron doesn’t like him and they have always been uncomfortable around each other. Al doesn’t speak to him, like at all. There is no love lost there,' said an insider.

Matt is okay with him, not friends, but okay. He doesn’t have much of a relationship with Savannah . So it won’t be a loss to any of them personally if he doesn’t come back.'

The source then added: 'Does anyone tune in to Today to watch Billy? Probably not really. So if he leaves, it’s not a big deal.' 

The Bush voicemail appears to have been recorded by a male assistant, and was first reported by the New York Times. It has since been removed by Bush or the network.

NBC announced on Sunday that they had made the decision to suspend Bush from his job anchoring the third hour of Today after lewd comments he made about a fellow NBC employee surfaced in an old Access Hollywood interview he did with Trump.

While most of the offensive statements on that tape are made by Trump, Bush can heard encouraging his comments and at one point states that the actress the two men are about to meet is 'hot as s***.' 

The decision to suspend Bush was addressed on Today Monday morning by lead anchor Savannah Guthrie.

'We want to note one other thing,' said Guthrie at the top of the program. 

'Pending further review of the matter, NBC News has suspended Billy Bush, the host of Today’s third hour, for his role in that conversation with Donald Trump.'

The suspension was again addressed at the start of the third hour as well by Tamron Hall and Al Roker, who was selected to fill in for Bush.

'As you can see, Billy Bush is not joining us today, as you’re probably aware,' said Roker.

'Part of that 2005 Access Hollywood taping with Donald Trump that’s been in the news all weekend.'

Hall then added: 'NBC, which owns Access Hollywood, has suspended Billy for his role in that conversation, pending further review. With that said, let’s turn to last night’s debate, where that 2005 tape played a big role.'

Family: Bush, 44, is married and the father of three teenage daughters (above with his wife and daughters)

Bush, who is married with three teenage daughters, released a statement shortly after the 2005 tape surfaced on Friday.

'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,' said Bush, who was 33 at the time.

Arianne Zucker, the Days of Our Lives actress who Bush referred to as 'hot as s***' also released a statement over the weekend.

'My name is Arianne Zucker and I am a strong, independent, hard working mother, business woman and partner to a great man. I have grown to learn that the words of others cannot effect the value of my self worth or define the content of my character,' said Zucker.

'How we treat one another, whether behind closed doors, locker rooms or face to face, should be done with kindness, dignity and respect. Unfortunately, there are too many people in power who abuse their position and disregard these simple principles and are rewarded for it.'

She closed out her statement by saying: 'In understanding the magnitude of this situation, I choose to stand tall with self respect and use my voice to enrich, inspire and elevate the best of who we are as people.'

Replacement: Al Roker spoke about Bush's suspension as he filled in for Bush during the show's third hour (Roker above with Tamron Hall)

Many on social media also made note on Monday morning of the controversial choice of Roker to fill in for Bush.

The two men got into a heated argument with one another back in August in the wake of Ryan Lochte's multiple false interviews with Today anchors, including Matt Lauer and Bush himself.

When Roker voiced his frustration about Lochte's repeated lies, Bush tried to downplay the situation  and suggest the swimmer had just misled them on some facts regarding his mugging in Ro de Janeiro, which was eventually revealed to be completely fabricated by the Olympian. 

Roker, Hall and Guthrie all appeared to have little sympathy for Bush when announcing his suspension on  Monday.

Noah Oppenheim, the executive producer of Today, said in a memo sent to staff on Sunday: 'I know we’ve all been deeply troubled by the revelations of the past 48 hours.

'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.' 

Bush has only been with Today for two months, after spending more than a decade hosting Access Hollywood.

His role on that show was filled by former Today anchor Natalie Morales, who was part of the Access Hollywood team that first uncovered the Trump tape.