Billy Bush Is Leaving 'Today'
"I look forward to what lies ahead," he said in a statement.
— -- Billy Bush is leaving "Today."
NBC said in a statement obtained by ABC News that effective today, the journalist will no longer be a part of the morning show's 9 a.m. hour.
In a separate statement, Bush, who did not reveal his future plans, said, "I look forward to what lies ahead."
"I am deeply grateful for the conversations I’ve had with my daughters, and for all of the support from family, friends and colleagues," he said.
A representative for NBC added in a statement, "While he was a new member of the 'Today' team, he was a valued colleague and longtime member of the broader NBC family. We wish him success as he goes forward."
Marshall Grossman, Bush's Los Angeles-based attorney, said that Bush is not subject to any non-compete and that the settlement, which was acceptable to both parties, involved Bush and the highest levels of representatives with NBC.
Bush, 45, came under fire earlier this month when a 2005 tape of him having a lewd conversation with Donald Trump was made public. In the recording, Trump, 70, described coming on to a married woman, later revealed to be Bush's former "Access Hollywood" colleague Nancy O'Dell, and bragged about groping women.
"Anyone who knows me knows these words don't reflect who I am," Trump later said. "I said it, I was wrong and I apologize."
Bush also acknowledged his mistake and issued an apology to Politico.
"Obviously I'm embarrassed and ashamed. It's no excuse, but this happened 11 years ago -- I was younger, less mature, and acted foolishly in playing along. I'm very sorry," he said at the time.