Billy Bush says Matt Lauer did NOT bigfoot him out of the coveted first sit-down interview with Ryan Lochte ... telling TMZ Sports it was Lochte who called the shots.
There are reports that Lauer and his "Today" show team have been mean-girling Bush behind the scenes ... treating him like an "outcast" ever since he joined the show back in May.
And eyebrows were raised when, after Bush scored that huge exclusive 1-on-1 with Lochte on the beach in Rio (the one where Lochte straight up lied) .