President Trump claims he was as surprised as anyone about the imagery in a video he shared earlier in the day of Barack and Michelle Obama as apes ... but he sure as hell isn't sorry.
Here's the deal ... the president's Truth Social account posted a video depicting the Obamas as apes ... which was met with swift blowback and condemnation on social media and from many on Capitol Hill. The White House initially said the video was fine ... but it was later deleted over all the heat.
TMZ.com
Trump was pressed by reporters this afternoon aboard Air Force One ... and he pleaded ignorance, saying all he knew was the video was a commentary on voter fraud -- and had no idea about the Obamas being depicted as apes in the jungle.
The stepbrother of Anna Kepner -- who was found asphyxiated during a family cruise vacation -- was arrested this week and appeared in a Florida courthouse Friday to face a judge, TMZ has confirmed.
According to a law enforcement source ... the 16-year-old stepbrother was led by U.S. Marshals into a Miami federal courtroom for an appearance ... but since he's a juvenile, the case was sealed. It's unclear if he has been charged in a federal complaint or indictment.
After his court appearance, the stepbrother was released to the custody of a guardian, according to ABC News.
On November 7, Kepner's body was reportedly discovered inside the cabin she shared with her stepbrother on the Carnival Horizon. She was allegedly asphyxiated after someone put her in a chokehold.
More legal trouble for Stefon Diggs ... he's getting slapped with a lawsuit a couple days before his New England Patriots play in Super Bowl LX.
The Patriots star wide receiver is being sued for defamation and more ... according to a new lawsuit obtained by TMZ.
In the docs, a man who claims he used to work for Stefon says in July 2024, Stefon requested he arrange for Stefon's Ferrari to be transported from Miami to New York and then to Houston ... but he says the Ferrari was stolen in Houston.
The guy claims law enforcement concluded the Ferrari was stolen by third parties in a sophisticated theft ... but he says Stefon started telling people in their circles that the guy stole the car.
Quinton Aaron is still in the hospital ... but it sure sounds like things are looking up, as TMZ just got a great update from his family.
As you know ... "The Blind Side" star is recovering in the hospital from a spinal stroke ... and for a while there, it was sounding not so good. But, it seems he is on the mend.
The Aaron family tells TMZ ... “Quinton is in a jovial mood, now laughing and smiling and is communicating to the best of his ability while he continues to recover. He’s watching tv and is excited to watch the Super Bowl from his hospital bed this weekend."
There is also an update on the woman by his side, previously making medical decisions for him, who claimed to be his wife -- but his family has called BS on all that.
The California man facing federal charges for allegedly texting Nancy Guthrie's family about the bitcoin ransom payment has been granted bond by a judge -- and may be outta federal custody in no time.
Derrick Callella, a 42-year-old man from Hawthorne, made his first court appearance Friday afternoon in U.S. District Court in Santa Ana.
Instagram / @savannahguthrie
U.S. Magistrate Judge Karen E. Scott ordered Callella to be released on $20,000 bond ... and he's been ordered to not to contact the alleged victims or witnesses.
Federal prosecutors claim Callella texted Nancy's daughter Annie and her son-in-law Tommaso Cioni, "Did you get the bitcoin were [sic] waiting on our end for the transaction."
President Trump is posting racist videos taking shots at the Obamas on social media ... and the Obamas are responding by posting loving videos about their relationship.
Barack and Michelle's Obama Foundation seemingly fired back at Trump with a super cute social media post looking back on their love story.
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The post comes on the heels of Trump posting a video on his social media platform depicting the Obamas as apes ... which was met with swift blowback and condemnation on social media.
François Arnaud might be choking on that "none of your f***ing business" line he tossed at Andy Cohen ... 'cause the rumors about him dating Connor Storrie are getting louder, steamier, and a lot harder to dodge!
TMZ snagged photos of the two actors settling in for a cozy dinner at the old-school, fancy Smoke House in Burbank ... and while there wasn’t full-on PDA, the energy was very much date night. Dim lighting, nonstop laughs, and that locked-in, only-you-exist vibe said plenty.
There’s no denying the chemistry here -- and if this is the real deal, François better brace himself for even more backlash from diehard "Heated Rivalry" fans who seriously struggle separating fantasy from real life. Even NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman has said he is a big fan.
4:20 PM PT -- Mary Coleman, anchor for Arizona-based CNN affiliate KOLD 13 News, told CNN Friday ... it seems the new note was written by the person who sent the initial, which TMZ received. She said the new note is shorter than the alleged ransom note -- and there was no mention of a deadline.
CNN
As you know, the initial note had two deadlines, one which passed yesterday -- and the second is Monday. The new note appears to be a response to the videos made by the Guthries saying they needed proof of life ... and wanted to communicate directly with their mother's captor(s).
A new communication regarding Nancy Guthrie's abduction was sent to a media outlet in the Tucson area ... though the outlet hasn't said yet what it entails.
KOLD-TV reported they received a new message "regarding the Nancy Guthrie disappearance."
The outlet does not say if it is another ransom letter or what kind of communication it is ... but, they immediately alerted the Pima County Sheriff's Department.
Darron Lee -- a former first-round draft pick for the New York Jets -- was arrested and charged in Tennessee for allegedly murdering his girlfriend.
According to multiple outlets ... cops were dispatched to a home near Ooltewah -- about two and a half hours outside of Nashville -- for a report of CPR in progress.
After arriving on the scene, cops say they located the victim and attempted life-saving measures, but she later succumbed to her injuries.
Kelsea Ballerini and Chase Stokes have broken up ... and, if you're getting déjà vu by reading that, you're not alone -- but our sources say it's completely over this time.
Sources with direct knowledge tell us the relationship has run its course and now it's over between the singer-songwriter and the actor.
As you know ... the two broke up in the fall -- but they got back together not long after. Our sources say the two tried to make it work, but they ultimately decided it wasn't meant to be.
Of course ... she totally knew what she was doing with a low-cut black top -- and the way she was moving when pushing them together ... which was so obvious, it was borderline hilarious.
The Winter Olympics are here, and celebs took it upon themselves to turn the slopes into a star-studded playground packed with speed, style, and zero F's for the cold ...
Let's be honest, no one rocks a red-hot 2-piece in the snow like Chelsea Handler... Benny Blanco kept it chill, flashing a peace sign between runs, and Sydney Sweeney ripped through the snow on a snowmobile like a total pro!
Former Los Angeles Dodger Yasiel Puigwas found guilty of obstructing justice and lying to federal officials in a Los Angeles courtroom on Friday ... in connection to an investigation into an illegal gambling operation.
The 35-year-old now faces up to 10 years in federal prison on the obstruction of justice charge and up to five years in prison for the false statement charges.
6:53 PM PT -- The Fulton County Medical Examiner tells TMZ ... Nathan's cause and manner of death are currently undetermined.
DJ Young Slade -- Lil Jon's son -- has died ... his father announced in a statement Friday.
Lil Jon tells TMZ ... "I am extremely heartbroken for the tragic loss of our son, Nathan Smith. His mother, Nicole Smith, and I are devastated. Nathan was the kindest human being you would ever meet. He was immensely caring, thoughtful, polite, passionate, and warmhearted -- he loved his family and the friends in his life to the fullest."
Jon said, "He was an amazingly talented young man; a music producer, an artist and engineer, and graduate of NYU. We loved Nathan with all of our hearts and are incredibly proud of him. He was loved and appreciated, and in our last times together we're comforted in knowing that we expressed that very sentiment to him."
Jon thanked the Milton Police Department for their help searching for his son.
Nathan was reported missing on Tuesday this week ... earlier today, searchers pulled a body from a pond in the area. Police said there was no indication of foul play. Milton, Georgia is about 30 miles north of Atlanta.
