Former MN Gov. Tim Pawlenty withdraws Support of 'Unhinged' Donald Trump

Former Republican Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty has withdrawn his support for Republican Presidential candidate Donald Trump and denounced Trump as unfit to hold public office.

The announcement comes after a taped conversation of Trump was leaked Friday in which the GOP nominee describes in graphically vulgar terms about how he tried to have sex with a married women and how stardom affords him the privilege to kiss, grope and have sex with women whenever he pleases.

The conversation occurred in 2005, shortly into his marriage with his current wife, Melania.

"Although I'd hoped he could have risen to the occasion, it's clear Trump is unwilling or unable to demonstrate even the most basic level of discipline, character and judgment necessary to lead our great nation," said Pawlenty in a statement.

"He is unsound, uninformed, unhinged and unfit to be President of the United States, and I am withdrawing my support for him."

Pawlenty served two terms as governor of Minnesota, from 2003 until 2011.

The taped comments - charitably described as vulgar - brought swift condemnation from many of Trump's Republican colleagues.

"I am sickened by what I heard today," said Speaker of the House Paul Ryan, who was supposed to appear at a rally with Trump on Saturday. Ryan said that Trump will no longer be appearing at the event.

"Women are to be championed and revered, not objectified," Ryan said. "I hope Mr. Trump treats this situation with the seriousness it deserves and works to demonstrate to the country that he has greater respect for women than this clip suggests."

On the recording, obtained and published by the Washington Post, Trump is speaking with "Access Hollywood" host Billy Bush before visiting the set of "Days of Our Lives," where Trump was making a guest appearance. (Billy Bush is the cousin of Jeb and George W. Bush.)

The three-minute tape begins with Trump talking to Billy Bush about an unnamed married woman who he tried to have sex with — and failed.

“I moved on her and I failed. I’ll admit it,” Trump says.

“I did try and f--- her. She was married,” Trump says.

“And I moved on her very heavily," he continued. "In fact, I took her out furniture shopping. She wanted to get some furniture. I said, ‘I’ll show you where they have some nice furniture.’

“I moved on her like a b----, but I couldn’t get there. And she was married,” Trump says. “Then all of a sudden I see her, she’s now got the big phony t--- and everything. She’s totally changed her look.”

Later in the video, Trump and Bush seem to notice Arianne Zucker, the actress who is to escort Trump to the set.

“Your girl’s hot as s---, in the purple,” says Bush, who’s now a co-host of NBC’s “Today” show.

“Whoa!” Trump says. “Whoa!”

“I’ve gotta use some Tic Tacs, just in case I start kissing her,” Trump says. “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,” Trump continues. “You can do anything.”

“Whatever you want,” Bush says.

“Grab them by the p---y,” Trump says. “You can do anything.”

Shortly after Trump says that, they get out of the bus and meet Zucker, who takes them inside the studio.

Listen to the full leaked audio here.

Marc Torrence contributed to this report.

Image via Gage Skidmore, Flickr, used under Creative Commons