Grab them by the pussy

What it is

The remark comes from a privately recorded 2005 conversation between Donald Trump and Access Hollywood host Billy Bush; the tape was published on October 7, 2016.

What Trump said and his response

On the tape Trump brags that, as a star, "you can do anything… grab ’em by the pussy," a phrase many commentators described as describing non‑consensual sexual conduct. Trump later apologized and called it “locker room talk,” while also at times disputing aspects of the reporting.

Immediate political and cultural fallout

The tape provoked wide condemnation across parties, led to Billy Bush’s firing from NBC, and intensified public debate about sexual misconduct and power. It spurred protest movements and online campaigns (e.g., #PussyGrabsBack, #GrabYourWallet) and became a major flashpoint in the 2016 campaign.

Longer‑term significance

The recording has been cited in later legal contexts (for example, allowed as evidence in civil litigation) and factored into cultural and political discussions about consent, power, and accountability. It also helped galvanize activism that led to large protests such as the 2017 Women’s March.