Combined with his lack of response beyond an initial remorseful statement, the absence of a Today-set reaction played a big part in the public’s opinion of Bush in the weeks and months following his ousting, with many railing on him for playing along with what Donald Trump later called “locker room” talk.
NBC suspended him at first and soon basically forced him to resign, and all without giving him an opportunity to apologize on the air.
Considering Billy Bush’s time with Today was immediately cut short following the news of the tape’s existence, it had to be pretty comforting to the on-air personality to get positive feedback from anyone at the time.