In a video released on Facebook early Saturday morning, Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump apologized for comments he made in a video released on Friday, pledged to do better, and attacked his opponent, Hillary Clinton, and her husband.
“I’ve never said I’m a perfect person, nor pretended to be a person 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, I was wrong, and I apologize.”
Trump said his campaigning had changed him, and he pledged to “be a better man tomorrow” and “never let you down.” He said the video was “nothing more than a distraction from the important issues we’re facing today.” And crucially, he turned to an attack on Clinton and her husband.
“I’ve said some foolish things, but there’s a big difference between the words and action of other people,” he said. “Bill Clinton has actually abused women, and Hillary has bullied, attacked, shamed and intimidated his.”
In a rebuke to Republicans calling for him to step down, or demanding the party explore options to remove him from the ballot, he closed by saying, “We will discuss this more in the coming days. See you at the debate on Sunday.”