Florida GOP leaders outraged by Trump tape

Gov. Rick Scott, the chairman of the national super PAC supporting Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, on Friday condemned the candidate's comments recorded in 2005 about groping women and trying to have sex with a married woman.

"I'm not following politics closely right now, but this is terrible," said Scott, who is the father of two girls. "I don't agree with anyone talking like this about anyone, ever."

Scott's comments, delivered in an email, came as he oversaw Florida's response Friday night to Hurricane Matthew. Scott is chairman of the political action committee Rebuilding America, a national PAC supporting Trump. He was an early supporter of Trump, coming out in support of him shortly after Trump's win in the Florida primary in March.

The recorded comments, first reported by The Washington Post, came on a 2005 video that featured Trump on a microphone that was left on as he spoke with Billy Bush, former host of "Access Hollywood." The two were on a bus that was arriving on the set of "Days of Our Lives," where Trump was making a cameo appearance.

Trump is heard on the tape saying he attempted to have sex with a married woman, but he said he failed in his attempts. He is also recorded saying he's able to kiss and grope women because he's a star.

Trump's campaign later released an apology, with the candidate saying he was sorry if his comments offended anyone.

Other Florida Republicans on Friday also condemned the taped comments by Trump.

U.S. Rep Mario Diaz-Balart of Miami said he was glad Trump apologized.

"I'm glad that Mr. Trump issued an apology for the tape that was released in which he is heard saying disrespectful and totally unacceptable things regarding his interactions with women," Diaz-Balart said. "It's important that he acknowledged that statements like those are unacceptable and offensive, and his recognition of the fact was an important step."

Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, defeated by Trump in the presidential primaries, issued a statement saying there was no excuse for Trump's comments.

"As the grandfather of two precious girls, I find that no apology can excuse away Donald Trump's reprehensible comments degrading women," Bush said in a tweet.

U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, who is running for re-election after Trump defeated him in the presidential primaries, issued a tweet a couple of hours after his campaign was contacted by The Naples Daily News for comment.

"Donald's comments were vulgar, egregious and impossible to justify," Rubio tweeted after his campaign was told he would be noted as not commenting in a story. "No one should ever talk about any woman in those terms, even in private."

U.S. Rep. Carlos Curbelo of Miami also blasted Trump for the comments.

"I'm disgusted by Mr. Trump's comments," Curbelo said. "I wouldn't want anyone speaking about my wife, my daughters, or any woman that way. It's inexcusable."