Donald Trump releases video responding to released 2005 tape: 'I said it. I was wrong. I apologize'

A 2005 interview surfaced Friday where a hot mic picked up Donald Trump making lewd and vulgar statements about how he grabs women by their genitalia and forces himself on them.

The news has caused Republican politicians to denounce their nominee, republican pundits have called Trump everything from "a dirty old man" to being "in his own basket of deplorables." Activists, on the other hand, are calling it the "Ick-tober Surprise."

Attempting to put the news behind him, Trump released a non-apology saying, “This was locker room banter, a private conversation that took place many years ago. Bill Clinton has said far worse to me on the golf course—not even close. I apologize if anyone was offended.”

Most agreed it wasn't enough. Perhaps, that is why he released a video late Friday night, to attempt to get a handle on the scandal, as pundits his campaign was over.

"I said it. I was wrong. I apologize," Trump said. He then pivoted to attacking both Bill and Hillary Clinton for "doing worse" than he said he thinks he did. He also dismissed these as nothing more than words, while the Clintons actions.

Watch the full video from Trump below (Transcript below):

"I've never said I'm a perfect person, nor pretended to be someone that I'm not. I've said and done things I regret, and the words released today on this more-than-a-decade-old video are one of them. Anyone who knows me knows these words don't reflect who I am. I said it, I was wrong, and I apologize.

I've traveled the country talking about change for America, but my travels have also changed me. I've spent time with grieving mothers who have lost their children, laid-off workers whose jobs have gone to other countries, and people from all walks of life who just want a better future. I have gotten to know the great people of our country, and I've been humbled by the faith they've placed in me.

I pledge to be a better man tomorrow and will never, ever let you down.

Let's be honest: We're living in the real world. This is nothing more than a distraction from the important issues we're facing today. We're losing our jobs, we're less safe than we were eight years ago, and Washington is totally broken.

Hillary Clinton and her kind have run our country into the ground. I've said some foolish things, but there's a big difference between the words and actions of other people. Bill Clinton has actually abused women and Hillary has bullied, attacked, shamed and intimidated his victims. We will discuss this more in the coming days. See you at the debate on Sunday."