Donald Trump, the presidential nominee who once said he could shoot someone in the middle of Fifth Avenue without losing a vote, has finally managed to say something that lost him votes in a public fashion.

This time, tape from 2005 surfaced last week on which the he bragged on a live microphone about how his fame allowed him to kiss and grope women when he wanted. His remarks demonstrate not only a willingness to commit sexual assault against a woman’s wishes but a complete disregard for the dignity and equality of women.

Based on the swift condemnation Trump received from the Republicans in Congress and governors’ offices nationwide, it’s amazing to believe so many supported him until late last week.

Some lawmakers publicly rescinded their endorsements. Others, including Nebraska Sen. Deb Fischer, went as far as urging Trump to remove himself from the ticket in favor of his running mate, Indiana Gov. Mike Pence.

But the real question: Why did it take so long for so many Republicans to distance themselves from his wildly inappropriate, insensitive comments?

Unlike he said in Sunday night’s debates, these are not “just words.”

It is, as debate moderator Anderson Cooper said, sexual assault.