After Melania Trump tried to explain away her husband’s genital-grabbing comments, people piled on with the Twitter hashtag #BillyBushMadeMeDoIt

This article is more than 3 years old

This article is more than 3 years old

Melania Trump defended her husband’s remarks about groping women without their consent on Monday night, blaming Billy Bush for egging him on. Her defense spawned its own hashtag: #BillyBushMadeMeDoIt.

Melania Trump says husband was 'led on' by Billy Bush in leaked video Read more

In her first interview since the release of hot-mic tapes of Donald Trump boasting that his fame allowed him to grab women “by the pussy”, Melania Trump dismissed the comments as “boy talk” and said her husband was “led on” by Billy Bush to say “dirty and bad stuff”.

The 2005 recording of Trump and the television host Billy Bush was released earlier this month. In it, Trump discussed making sexual advances against women, while Billy Bush laughed and commented on women’s appearances. “When you’re a star,hey let you do it. You can do anything. Grab ’em by the pussy. You can do anything,” Trump said.

The tape’s release caused widespread controversy, creating a backlash among Republican leaders who disavowed their party’s nominee. Numerous women came forward, accusing the Republican nominee of sexual misconduct in numerous incidents over 30 years.

On Twitter, #BillyBushMadeMeDoIt quickly became used to dismiss Melania’s explanation, blaming Bush for many other unrelated things – such as Ryan Lochte’s false robbery claim at the Rio Olympics – and to wonder how easily influenced Trump must be.

Michael Schaub (@michaelschaub) DAD: [holding drugs] Who taught you how to do this crap?



ME: [through tears] Billy Bush, all right? I learned it by watching Billy Bush!

Ashley Feinberg (@ashleyfeinberg) yes but who HASN'T ruined their future career prospects in an attempt to impress Billy Bush

Brianna Wu (@Spacekatgal) I'm so thankful @MELANIATRUMP has spoken up. How deep does Billy's dark influence go? #BillyBushMadeMeDoIt pic.twitter.com/R92Nhd0abC

John Fugelsang (@JohnFugelsang) "My husband only claimed to do those horrible things because he's very easily manipulated. Please make him president." #BillyBushMadeMeDoIt

Sally Kohn (@sallykohn) Also it was Billy Bush who attacked Mexicans, smeared all Muslims and discriminated against African Americans. #BillyBushMadeMeDoIt https://t.co/wNU5NAA9S3

NUFF$AID (@nuffsaidNY) Didn't realize that when you're almost 60 yrs old, that "peer pressure" could still be a valid excuse for bad behavior. #BillyBushMadeMeDoIt

LoserDonald (@LoserDonald2016) Ryan Lochte just changed his story, he now says #BillyBushMadeMeDoIt pic.twitter.com/yjKPrMHs2x

Nerdy Wonka (@NerdyWonka) I plagiarized First Lady Michelle Obama's speech because #BillyBushMadeMeDoIt pic.twitter.com/spHefiTCLh

Girls Really Rule. (@girlsreallyrule) Can't stand up to Billy Bush but can TOTALLY handle Vladamir Putin...#BillyBushMadeMeDoIt pic.twitter.com/v4jxlRbtWx