Ayotte: Trump’s Predatory Comments ‘Inappropriate And Offensive’

Sen. Kelly Ayotte, D-N.H., testifies during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on attacking America’s epidemic of heroin and prescription drug abuse, on Capitol Hill, Wednesday, Jan. 27, 2016 in Washington. (AP P... Sen. Kelly Ayotte, D-N.H., testifies during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on attacking America’s epidemic of heroin and prescription drug abuse, on Capitol Hill, Wednesday, Jan. 27, 2016 in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon) MORE LESS
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Responding to newly published audio of Donald Trump suggesting he could do “anything” to women because he is famous, Sen. Kelly Ayotte (R-NH), who’s embroiled in a tough re-election battle, distanced herself yet again from the Republican presidential candidate.

“His comments are totally inappropriate and offensive,” Ayotte said, according to NBC News’ Frank Thorpe V.

The Washington Post published the recording, caught on a “hot mic” during a 2005 taping of “Access Hollywood,” on Friday afternoon.

“I moved on her like a bitch, but I couldn’t get there. And she was married,” Trump tells Billy Bush in the tape. “Then all of a sudden I see her, she’s now got the big phony tits and everything. She’s totally changed her look.”

Trump then says of the actress awaiting he and Bush’s tour bus: “You know I’m automatically attracted to beautiful—I just start kissing them. It’s like a magnet. Just kiss. I don’t even wait.”

“And when you’re a star they let you do it. You can do anything,” he later adds. “Grab them by the pussy. You can do anything.”

After the tape was leaked, Trump released a non-apology.

“I apologize if anyone was offended,” his campaign’s statement read. He dismissed his own comments as “locker room banter,” and added that “Bill Clinton has said far worse to me on the golf course – not even close.”

Earlier this week, Ayotte walked back a comment she made during a debate against her opponent, New Hampshire Gov. Maggie Hassan (D), that Donald Trump was “absolutely” a role model for children.

“I misspoke tonight,” Ayotte said in a statement right after the debate wrapped up. “While I would hope all of our children would aspire to be president, neither Donald Trump nor Hillary Clinton have set a good example and I wouldn’t hold up either of the, as a role models for my kids.”

During the debate, Ayotte seemed to struggle to justify holding Trump up as a model for kids.

“I think that certainly there are many role models that we have and, um, I believe that he can serve as president and so absolutely I can do that,” she said.

Hassan soon responded to Ayotte’s statement Friday by saying it was “beyond comprehension” that Ayotte would continue to support Trump.

“These vile comments from Donald Trump cannot be excused,” she said. “It is beyond comprehension how Senator Ayotte could continue supporting this man for the highest office in the land, let alone call him a role model.”

This post has been updated.

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