The 2016 “Access Hollywood” tape has once again taken the spotlight as it became a focal point in Donald Trump’s criminal bribery trial in New York. The leaked tape, in which Trump boasted about being able to grope women, was a pivotal moment in the 2016 presidential campaign and continues to haunt him.
The tape, recorded in 2005 and leaked just before the election, left many people speechless as Trump made lewd comments about women to then-host Billy Bush. The reactions were immediate, with several Republicans calling on Trump to resign, including Senator Mike Lee and then-House Speaker Paul Ryan.
Trump issued a rare apology for his comments, admitting he was wrong but refusing to drop out of the race. The tape became a test of loyalty for Republicans, with former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie losing a cabinet position for expressing disgust over the tape.
Now, the tape has resurfaced in Trump’s bribery trial, where prosecutors allege he paid off adult film star Stormy Daniels to influence the election. Trump has questioned the authenticity of the tape and tried to downplay his words, but it remains a significant moment in his presidency.
Despite the tape’s role in Trump’s rise to the presidency, it has also contributed to his humiliation in other areas. Trump was found responsible for defaming E. Jean Carroll and ordered to pay her more than $80 million.
As Trump continues to defy political gravity and maintain a loyal following, the “Access Hollywood” tape remains a defining moment in his tumultuous political career.