Republican vice-presidential candidate Mike Pence addressed the controversy over Donald Trump's 2005 vulgar remarks about women at a rally in North Carolina Monday, reassuring supporters that he is "proud to stand with Donald Trump."
This was after an audio recording from 2005 features Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump making lewd comments about women during a conversation with then-"Access Hollywood" host, billy Bush.
On the recording, Trump claims he tried to have sex with a married woman and says he can grab women "by the pussy" because he is a celebrity.
"I did try and fuck her," Trump can be heard saying on the video in reference to an unnamed woman.
"I moved on her very heavily. In fact, I took her out furniture shopping," Trump continued. "She wanted to get some furniture. I said, 'I'll show you where they have some nice furniture.'"
However, Trump brushed off the severity of the comments.
"This was locker room banter, a private conversation that took place many years ago," Trump said in a statement Friday. "[Former President] Bill Clinton has said far worse to me on the golf course - not even close. I apologize if anyone was offended."
Pence said Trump has apologized and for him, "it takes a big man to know when he is wrong and to admit it and to have the humility to apologize and be transparent and be vulnerable with people."
"Donald Trump last night showed that he is a big man," he added.
"We all fall short of the glory of God," Pence said during a campaign rally in Charlotte, North Carolina. "I believe in forgiveness." Pence referred to 2005 video in which Trump is recorded bragging about groping women without their permission.
Pence also released a statement refusing to condone or defend Trump's remarks. He urged Trump to "show what is in his heart when he goes before the nation" during Sunday's debate.
