In this Sept. 26, 2016 photo released by NBC, co-host Billy Bush appears on the "Today" show in New York. NBC News gave Brian Williams a second chance after he was caught lying about his role in stories, while Bush apparently won’t get the same opportunity following his profane 2005 conversation with Donald Trump. The mistakes of Williams and Bush were different, but in both cases NBC executives needed to weigh whether it was worth rehabilitating them. (Peter Kramer/NBC via AP)
Republished October 13, 2016 - 8:57 PM
Original Publication Date October 13, 2016 - 7:55 PM
LOS ANGELES - An attorney for Billy Bush is defending the TV personality's part in a lewd 2005 exchange with Donald Trump.
Marshall Grossman told The Hollywood Reporter that Bush would have been fired from his then-job with "Access Hollywood" if he'd been passive or told Trump to shut up.
Grossman noted Bush was a NBC Universal employee talking with NBC's "The Apprentice" star.
The attorney, who was quoted by the trade paper online Thursday, declined comment when reached by phone.
Bush, who joined NBC News' "Today" as a co-host in recent months, was suspended after the tape became public last week. NBC is said to be privately negotiating his exit.
Both NBC and "Access Hollywood" declined to comment on the report. A publicist for Bush didn't immediately respond when asked for comment.
News from © The Associated Press, 2016