On Friday, October 7, a 2005 Access Hollywood tape released by The Washington Post showed Donald Trump making multiple lewd comments about women.

In the video, Trump brags to Billy Bush, former “Today Show” anchor, about groping, kissing, and making sexual advances on a married woman, but was able to get away with it because “when you’re a star they let you do it, you can do anything.”

Trump described the tape as “locker room banter,” however, “locker room banter” usually doesn’t promote sexual assault. 

Democrats and Republicans alike have condemned Trump for his statements, including House Speaker Paul Ryan, Arizona Senator John McCain, and Idaho Senator Mike Crapo.  Even Vice Presidential nominee, Mike Pence, cancelled his plan to attend a Trump event in Wisconsin the following Sunday.

In outrage, many have called for Trump to drop-out of the election and allow the GOP to select a new candidate or hand over the nomination to Trump’s running mate, Mike Pence.  Many have abandoned Trump and refused to support him at the polls in November.

However, it was the choice of many Republicans across the country to pick Donald Trump as their nominee in the election.  Despite the pleas of both Democrats and Republicans who warned Trump supporters of his toxic, inappropriate behavior and ill-equipped personality, he was still selected as the Republican candidate.

The disgusting traits displayed in the tape released on Friday is not the first time the American people have witnessed the true image of Donald Trump.  In numerous interviews and statements, Trump has made offensive comments about women, calling them “slobs” or even rating women based on their physical appearance.

These harmful words still had no effect on Republican politicians or Trump’s supporters, despite the offensive, misogynistic traits he displayed quite openly.

At this point in the race, there is no replacing Donald Trump.  His true supporters have shown their loyalty to his campaign, no matter how many times he says something inappropriate or rude.  In Donald Trump’s own words, “I could stand in the middle of 5th Avenue and shoot somebody and I wouldn’t lose voters.”

Now, the Republican party is in a frenzy to find a new candidate.  However, there is no “return policy” for the President of the United States.  There were multiple chances to choose another nominee, but now there is no going back.  Early voting and absentee ballots are already being sent in with Donald Trump’s name representing the Republican party. 

It is too late to replace Trump, but we can all certainly try to keep him out of office come November 8^th.