Billy Bush Reveals More Trump Tapes Locked in Idaho Vault
William Hall "Billy" Bush covering the wedding of Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes in Bracciano, Italy, 2006. Photo by Daniel S.L. under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Billy Bush, former co-host of "Access Hollywood," recently told CNN journalist Jim Acosta that a cache of unreleased tapes featuring President Donald Trump is allegedly stored in a vault in Idaho. Bush claimed these tapes include outtakes from Trump's time on "The Apprentice" and may contain material as inflammatory as the 2005 "Access Hollywood" recording, in which Trump was heard bragging that he could "grab [women] by the p---y" because of his fame — a comment that shook the 2016 presidential campaign.
NBC's Search and the Idaho Vault
Speaking on "The Jim Acosta Show," Bush recounted how NBC launched a company-wide search for any Trump-related footage after a Miss Universe contestant accused Trump of making inappropriate remarks. According to Bush, the network particularly sought "The Apprentice" outtakes, which were controlled by producer Mark Burnett and are rumored to be stored "in a vault somewhere in Idaho," as reported by Mediaite.
How the 'Access Hollywood' Tape Emerged
Bush also discussed how the infamous "Access Hollywood" tape was discovered years after it was recorded. According to him, A small team within the entertainment division stumbled upon the footage and handed it to NBC News amid the company-wide hunt for Trump material. Bush suggested that the tape's revelation was influenced more by internal competition and public pressure than journalistic transparency.
In a separate appearance on the podcast "Literally! With Rob Lowe," Bush claimed he had alerted his producer about Trump's lewd comments immediately after the 2005 taping. He said the tape remained in a desk drawer for years, and suggested that if the tape had leaked at the time, he would have been fired for "killing their cash cow," according to The Wrap, referring to Trump's immense value to NBC as a ratings draw.
Unconfirmed Tapes and Business Conflicts
Bush's account highlights a broader tension between journalistic responsibility and business interests. At the time, Trump's role on "The Apprentice" made him a significant asset for NBC. Bush implies the network was reluctant to release damaging material due to Trump's commercial value. While he claims the Idaho vault holds additional damaging footage, no independent confirmation has been provided by NBCUniversal, Mark Burnett, or other parties.
Current Response and Allegations
NBCUniversal has not commented on Bush's claims about the tapes or the alleged Idaho vault. The White House also declined to respond. As of late 2024, 27 women have publicly accused Trump of sexual misconduct, according to The Daily Beast — allegations he continues to deny.
Bush's recent comments have reignited public interest in Trump's recorded history and raised questions about what may still be unreleased. The existence of additional tapes allegedly locked away in Idaho raises questions about what else might be hidden from public view. However, his account remains uncorroborated, and the supposed existence of the Idaho vault is still based solely on his statements.
For now, Billy Bush stands as a reluctant keeper of secrets, revealing just enough to ignite curiosity and concern. His account offers a rare peek behind the curtain of media operations and political image management, reminding us that what we see in the headlines may only be part of a much larger story locked away in a vault.
References: Billy Bush Tells Jim Acosta: More Trump Tapes 'In A Vault' | Billy Bush Says There Are More Unseen Donald Trump Tapes Out There | Billy Bush Says NBC Would Have Fired Him If Trump Tape Leaked in 2005
