President Barack Obama said Donald Trump is "insecure" and that the Republican presidential nominee "pumps himself up" by putting other people down.
Obama was reacting to lewd comments Trump made in 2005, when he was caught on camera boasting how he can grope women by the genitals because he is a "star." A video of those comments was released by the Washington Post on Friday.
Campaigning for Illinois Congresswoman Tammy Duckworth on Sunday, Obama said such words coming from the Republican presidential nominee shows he would be "careless with the civility and respect" that a vibrant democracy requires.
Even with polls showing Trump trailing Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton, Obama said too much is at stake take anything for granted. Obama stressed the importance for people to work hard and get out to vote on November 8.
Trump and Clinton met Sunday night for the second of three presidential debates and the Republican's candid comments about women 11 years ago were the topic of the first question. Trump said he was "not proud" of what he said in the video and downplayed them as "locker room talk."
Trump had earlier apologized for his remarks and dismissed suggestions from some Republicans that he step aside in favor of his vice-presidential running mate Mike Pence.
"Anyone who knows me knows these words don't reflect who I am. I said it, I was wrong, and I apologize," Trump said in a Facebook post. "I pledge to be a better man tomorrow and will never ever let you down."
He then accused former President Bill Clinton of physically abusing women and says Hillary Clinton "bullied, attacked, shamed, and intimidated his victims."
Shortly before the start of the debate, Trump held a press conference flanked by women who have accused Bill Clinton of sexual harassment and misconduct.
He said the women had asked to be heard. Trump has threatened to talk about Bill Clinton's past infidelities during the debate.
Hillary Clinton reacted to Trump's comments with a tweet calling them "horrific." She also said at the debate the video raises questions about whether Trump is fit to be president.
Bill Clinton was impeached by the U.S. House of Representatives in 1998 for lying about a sexual affair with a White House an intern, but was not convicted in his Senate trial. Several women have also accused Bill Clinton of sexual misconduct before and after he became president, but those claims have not been proven or led to criminal charges. Other women also allege they had adulterous affairs with the former president.
Several major Republican figures are calling for Trump to drop out of the presidential race, believing the party has already lost the White House, but could still salvage winning the House and Senate.
The 2008 Republican presidential candidate, Arizona Senator John McCain, retracted his support for Trump, but stopped short of calling for him to withdraw.
2012 Republican nominee Mitt Romney denounced Trump's sexual braggadocio, saying, "Hitting on married women? Condoning assault? Such vile degradations demean our wives and daughters and corrupt America's face to the world."
