Donald Trump late Friday issued a statement in response to the bombshell release earlier in the day of audio and video in which he made lewd remarks about women.
He apologized, but also said there was a “big difference” between his bragging about sexually assaulting women and “the words and actions” of Bill Clinton and Hillary Clinton.
“I said it, I was wrong, and I apologize,” Trump said in the statement, posted on his campaign’s Facebook page.
“I’ve traveled the country talking about change for America, but my travels have also changed me.”
He has met “people from all walks of life who just want a better future,” he said, and “I pledge to be a better man tomorrow, and will never, ever let you down.”
But, he continued:
“Let’s be honest. We are living in the real world. This is nothing more than a distraction from the important issues we’re facing today. … Hillary Clinton and her kind have run our country into the ground. I’ve said some foolish things, but there’s a big difference between the words and actions of other people. Bill Clinton has actually abused women, and Hillary has bullied, attacked, shamed and intimidated his victims. We will discuss this more in the coming days.”