Arianne Zucker Breaks Her Silence on Donald Trump Tape: 'I Choose to Stand Tall'

By
This video is unavailable because we were unable to load a message from our sponsors.

If you are using ad-blocking software, please disable it and reload the page.


Days of Our Lives
star Arianne Zucker, has broken her silence on the lewd comments Donald Trump made on tape years ago.

The 42-year-old actress -- one of the women mentioned by Trump on the tape -- took to Twitter on Sunday to share her thoughts on the scandal.

"I am a strong, independent, hard-working mother, business woman and partner to a great man," she wrote. "I have grown to learn that the words of others cannot effect [sic] the value of my self-worth or define the content of my character. How we treat one another, whether behind closed doors, locker rooms or face-to-face, should be done with kindness, dignity and respect." 


WATCH: 'Saturday Night Live' Blasts Donald Trump for Sexist Comments in Leaked Audio

"Unfortunately, there are too many people in power who abuse their position and disregard these simple principles and are rewarded for it," she continued. "In understanding the magnitude of this situation, I choose to stand tall with self-respect and use my voice to enrich, inspire and elevate the best of who we are as people." 

The lewd comments in question were made by Trump in 2005 during a visit to the Days of Our Lives set with then-Access Hollywood host Billy Bush. The two men were preparing to meet Zucker when the audio was captured by the live mics they were wearing.

"I better use some Tic Tacs just in case I start kissing her," Trump can be heard saying in reference to Zucker. "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."


NEWS: Meet Arianne Zucker, the Soap Star in Donald Trump's Latest Scandal

While Zucker's statement doesn't name Trump, the actress' reference to the "locker room" appears to be a direct reference to verbiage used by Trump in his defense of the comments.

"This was locker-room banter, a private conversation that took place many years ago," Trump's initial statement read in part. "Bill Clinton has said far worse to me on the golf course -- not even close."

The other woman Trump spoke crudely about on the audio was Entertainment Tonight's Nancy O'Dell, whom the presidential candidate says he unsuccessfully tried to seduce.

"I moved on her and I failed," Trump says. "I’ll admit it. I did try and f*** her. She was married."

O'Dell released her statement exclusively to ET on Saturday, admitting she was "saddened" that such objectifying comments of this kind are still made.

"Everyone deserves respect no matter the setting or gender," O'Dell said. "As a woman who has worked very hard to establish her career, and as a mom, I feel I must speak out with the hope that as a society we will always strive to be better."


NEWS: Nancy O'Dell Reacts to Donald Trump Recording

The so-called Trump Tape caused immediate public and political backlash for the former Apprentice host, with many of the Republican party establishment moving to distance themselves, retracting endorsements, or calling for him to step down.

However, the Trump Tape is just the latest in a long line of comments that have proven to be problematic for the businessman-turned-politician, including those he made about actress Rosie O'Donnell during the first presidential debate. Find out how that played out in the video below.