Arianne Zucker Responds to Trump Tapes: ‘I Choose to Stand Tall’

Actress Arianne Zucker, the alleged subject of Donald Trump’s lewd comments made 11 years ago that were caught on a hot mic and released earlier this week, has responded to the storm of attention she’s received over the news.

“My name is Arianne (R-E-on) ZUCKER (Zooker) and I am a strong, independent, hard working mother, business woman and partner to a great man,” she wrote on Twitter. “I have grown to learn that the words of others cannot effect 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. Unfortunately, there are too many people in power who abuse their position and disregard these simple principles and are rewarded for it. 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.”

Zucker was thrust into the national spotlight when the comments leaked on Friday, made in 2005. Zucker, an actress on soap opera “Days of Our Lives,” was waiting to give Trump and Billy Bush, then a co-anchor on “Access Hollywood,” a tour of the set when the comments were made.

“Whoa, whoa, I gotta use some Tic Tacs in case I start kissing her,” Trump, who was newly married to Melania Trump, said upon seeing the actress, presumably while she was out of earshot.

Trump made other vulgar comments in the recording, including recounting a story in which he tried to seduce then-“Access Hollywood” co-anchor Nancy O’Dell. The Republican presidential nominee has since apologized for the comments.

“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,” Trump said in a video statement. “Anyone who knows me knows these words don’t reflect who I am. I said it, I was wrong and I apologize.”

Related: 2005 ‘SNL’ Spoof of Trump’s 'Days of Our Lives’ Cameo

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