Billy Bush contemplated suicide and relied on alcohol to assuage the disgrace from his 2016 firing by NBC amid the fallout of the “Access Hollywood” scandal involving now-President Donald Trump.
"Suicidal thoughts pop into your head," Bush told The Daily Beast in a lengthy interview published Friday. "I’d never seriously do it — because I have children that matter.
“But when you’re really low — and this is important to include — you’re emoting at the most extreme,” Bush continued. “But I’m never ever a serious candidate for that.
“I would not, could not do that to those who count on me and love me and need me,” he added. “Absolutely not.”
Bush, 47, the father of three daughters, was fired from NBC's “Today” show in October 2016 after the 2005 “Access” outtake tape surfaced.
It featured a misogynistic conversation between the "Access" co-host and Trump, who was host of “The Apprentice” reality show. Bush had been on “Today” fewer than two months.
On Monday, Bush will premiere as anchor of the “Extra” entertainment show on Fox Television, his first job since his termination.
He is the nephew of former President George H.W. Bush, and the cousin of President George W. Bush. Bush is the son of Bush 41’s younger brother, financier Jonathan Bush.
Bush told the Daily Beast that said he turned his life around after reading “The Purpose of Christmas” by California megachurch pastor Rick Warren.
“I felt this unbelievably overpowering presence come over me,” Bush said. “It took me from the deepest feelings of despair to a warm glow of everything’s gonna be just fine.”
In light of the #MeToo movement, Bush said he sees parallels to former Sen. Al Franken, D-Minn., whom party colleagues forced to resign last year over allegations of unwanted touching by multiple women.
“I feel empathy for him because I think it was handled very quickly and rushed, and I know that there was a larger purpose,” Bush said.
He told The Daily Beast that he’s had no dealings with President Trump, nor his representatives or family since the October 2016 incident.
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