Donald Trump publicly apologized for the first time on Friday night.
Trump’s apology comes in response to his comments in newly leaked audio in which he describes his ability to do “anything” he wants to women because he’s rich and famous—comments he says “don’t reflect who I am.”
“I’ve never said I’m a perfect person nor pretended to be someone I’m not.” Trump said. “I’ve said and done things I regret. And the words released today on this more-than-a-decade-old video are one of them. Anyone who knows me knows these words don’t reflect who I am.
“I said it. It was wrong. And I apologize.”
The Washington Post on Friday published a 2005 recording from Access Hollywood in which Trump, now the Republican presidential nominee, discusses his attempts to woo a married woman and his penchant for kissing and touching women according to his whims.
“You know I’m automatically attracted to beautiful—I just start kissing them. It’s like a magnet. Just kiss. I don’t even wait,” Trump said in the recording. “And when you’re a star they let you do it. You can do anything.”
“Grab them by the pussy,” Trump added. “You can do anything.”
In Trump’s video statement, he says he’s become a better person for America by running for president.
“I’ve traveled the country talking about change for American. But my travels have also changed me. I’ve spent time with grieving mothers who’ve lost their children, laid-off workers whose jobs have gone to other countries, and people from all walks of life who just want a better future,” Trump said. “I’ve gotten to know the great people of our country, and I’ve been humbled by the faith they’ve placed in me. I pledge to be a better man tomorrow and will never, ever let you down.”
Trump continues the video by deflecting the conversation from the “distraction” of his comments to the “real world,” where “we’re losing our jobs; we’re less safe than we were eight years ago, and Washington is totally broken.”
Further, Trump added, “Bill Clinton has actually abused women, and Hillary has bullied, attacked, shamed, and intimidated his victims,” referring to the former president and the Democratic nominee. Trump then vowed to “discuss this more in the coming days.”
A growing list of Republican lawmakers and leaders, including staunch Trump supporters, have condemned the businessman’s comments, with some calling for Trump to drop out of the race.
There are 31 days until Election Day, on Nov. 8.
