What Happened to William Hall Bush?
Billy Bush is an American radio and television host, best known for his work on 'Access Hollywood' and 'Today'. His career faced a significant setback in 2016 following the release of the 'Access Hollywood' tape, which captured a lewd conversation between him and Donald Trump. After a period away from major network television, he hosted 'Extra' from 2019 to 2025 and has since transitioned to focusing on his digital platform, 'Hot Mics with Billy Bush'.
Quick Answer
Billy Bush, the television and radio host, is currently focusing on his digital platform, 'Hot Mics with Billy Bush,' a podcast he launched in January 2025. He departed from his role as host of the syndicated entertainment news show 'Extra' in May 2025 to dedicate more time to his podcast. Most recently, as of April 2026, Bush appeared on the 'Hang Out with Sean Hannity' podcast, where he discussed his past career challenges, including his departure from NBC after the 'Access Hollywood' tape scandal.
📊Key Facts
📅Complete Timeline16 events
Birth
William Hall Bush was born in Manhattan, New York.
Early Radio Career
Bush began his broadcasting career in radio, hosting shows on various stations including WLKZ-FM, WARW-FM, and WWZZ-FM in the Washington D.C. area.
Joined Access Hollywood
He joined the entertainment news magazine 'Access Hollywood' as an East Coast correspondent.
Promoted to Co-Anchor of Access Hollywood
Bush was promoted to co-anchor of 'Access Hollywood', a role he held until 2016.
Access Hollywood Tape Incident
Bush participated in a lewd conversation with Donald Trump on an 'Access Hollywood' bus, which would later become a major scandal.
Hosted The Billy Bush Show
Bush hosted 'The Billy Bush Show,' a nationally syndicated talk and music radio program.
Joined NBC's Today Show
He joined NBC's 'Today' show as a co-host for the third hour, a significant career advancement.
Access Hollywood Tape Released
The infamous 2005 'Access Hollywood' tape, featuring Bush and Donald Trump, was published by The Washington Post, causing a national uproar.
Fired from Today Show
Following intense public scrutiny and an internal review, Bush was officially fired from NBC's 'Today' show.
New York Times Op-Ed
Bush published an op-ed in The New York Times titled 'Yes, Donald Trump, You Said That,' confirming the tape's authenticity and reflecting on the incident.
Announced Divorce
Bush and his wife, Sydney Davis, announced their divorce after 20 years of marriage due to irreconcilable differences.
Announced as Host of Extra
After a period away from major network television, Bush announced his return as the host of the syndicated entertainment news program 'Extra'.
Launched Hot Mics Podcast
Bush launched his new podcast, 'Hot Mics with Billy Bush,' which streams twice a week on TuneIn.
Departed from Extra
Bush announced on his 'Hot Mics' podcast that he would be stepping down as host of 'Extra' to focus on building his digital platform.
Replaced on Extra by Derek Hough
Derek Hough was announced as Billy Bush's replacement, taking over as the new host of 'Extra' for its 32nd season.
Appeared on Sean Hannity's Podcast
Bush joined the 'Hang Out with Sean Hannity' podcast to discuss his past career challenges, including his departure from NBC.
🔍Deep Dive Analysis
William Hall Bush, a member of the prominent Bush family, built a career in entertainment as a radio and television host. He gained significant recognition as a correspondent and later co-anchor for 'Access Hollywood' from 2001 to 2016, covering numerous high-profile red carpet events and celebrity interviews. He also hosted 'The Billy Bush Show' on radio from 2008 to 2014. In May 2016, Bush achieved a career milestone by joining NBC's 'Today' show as a co-host for its third hour, a move that was seen as a major step up in his broadcasting career.
The pivotal turning point in Bush's career occurred in October 2016, just months after joining 'Today'. The Washington Post published a 2005 recording from 'Access Hollywood' featuring a lewd conversation between Bush and then-presidential candidate Donald Trump. In the tape, Trump made vulgar comments about women, and Bush was heard laughing and engaging in the exchange. The tape's release during the heated 2016 presidential election sparked widespread outrage and condemnation.
The immediate consequence for Bush was severe. He was suspended by NBC on October 9, 2016, and subsequently fired on October 17, 2016, less than two weeks after the tape surfaced. His dismissal from 'Today' marked a significant professional and personal crisis. In December 2017, Bush publicly addressed the scandal in a New York Times op-ed titled 'Yes, Donald Trump, You Said That,' confirming the tape's authenticity and expressing regret for his role. He also revealed he underwent a period of self-reflection and therapy.
After a nearly three-year hiatus from major network television, Bush began his comeback. In May 2019, it was announced that he would become the host of the syndicated entertainment news program 'Extra,' starting in September 2019. This role allowed him to return to a familiar format and rebuild his public image. During his tenure at 'Extra,' he received multiple Daytime Emmy nominations. In July 2018, he also announced his divorce from Sydney Davis after 20 years of marriage.
As of 2026, Billy Bush has transitioned his career focus. In January 2025, he launched his podcast, 'Hot Mics with Billy Bush,' which he described as a vehicle for finding an authentic voice. In May 2025, Bush announced his departure from 'Extra' to dedicate more time to developing his 'Hot Mics' digital platform. Derek Hough was named as his replacement on 'Extra' in August 2025. Most recently, on April 2, 2026, Bush appeared on the 'Hang Out with Sean Hannity' podcast, where he openly discussed the infamous 'Access Hollywood' tape and the aftermath of his split from NBC, indicating his continued engagement in media through new platforms.
What If...?
Explore alternate histories. What if William Hall Bush made different choices?