Who Is Billy Bush And Why Is He Trending Today?

by David Leonhardt
Who Is Billy Bush And Why Is He Trending Today?

Billy Bush, the former television host and cousin of the Bush political family, is trending again in the U.S. after resurfacing in media discussions. The renewed interest follows a recent podcast appearance where he reflected on his controversial 2016 "Access Hollywood" tape scandal involving Donald Trump.

Bush, now 54, was a co-host of NBC's "Today" show until the tape's release led to his firing. In it, Trump made lewd comments about women while Bush laughed along. The clip became a pivotal moment in the 2016 election and reshaped Bush's career.

His name spiked on Google Trends today after conservative commentator Megyn Kelly mentioned him during a heated debate about media ethics. Kelly, who worked with Bush at Fox News, criticized how networks handled the fallout.

Since leaving mainstream TV, Bush has hosted the podcast "Extra Extra" and occasionally appears as a political commentator. His recent remarks about "cancel culture" and redemption have drawn mixed reactions on social media.

Public records show Bush quietly settled a 2017 wrongful termination lawsuit against NBC. He now focuses on family life in Los Angeles while occasionally weighing in on entertainment industry scandals.

The renewed attention comes as political analysts note parallels between 2016's "October Surprise" and current election cycle controversies. Bush hasn't commented on today's trending status but is scheduled to interview a #MeToo activist next week.

David Leonhardt

Editor at Thekanary covering trending news and global updates.