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Former Playboy Playmate Karen McDougal insists she did not extort Donald Trump ... as Fox News host Tucker Carlson repeatedly claimed, so now she's suing the network.

You'll recall, McDougal went public last year claiming she and Trump had a 10-month affair, beginning in June 2006. Carlson covered the alleged affair on Dec. 10, 2018 ... and according to the suit said, McDougal "approached Donald Trump and threatened to ruin his career and humiliate his family if he doesn't give [her] money."

She says Carlson continued, "Now that sounds like a classic case of extortion."

McDougal, 1998's Playmate of the Year, says Carlson repeatedly mentioned the "extortion" as "undisputed fact" during the broadcast, but she says that's completely false. In the suit, she says she never threatened Trump over his career or his family -- and no one involved in the payments Trump allegedly made to McDougal ever accused her of trying to extort Trump.

According to the docs, she never had any communication with Trump about money -- instead, she claims it was Trump's confidante and former National Enquirer honcho, David Pecker, who negotiated with her lawyers in the summer and fall of 2016.

She says AMI ultimately paid her $150k in exchange for her life story. She also claims former Trump attorney Michael Cohen and Pecker admitted the reason they were paying her was to "suppress McDougal's story" so it wouldn't derail Trump's campaign.

McDougal is suing Fox News Network for defamation and unspecified damages.

Jason Derulo says he's a victim of a social media double standard -- and he informed us about this while totally gloating about the size of his junk. Well played, JD.

We ran into the singer Wednesday hours after Instagram deleted his famous underwear pic by a pool in Bali -- the very definition of living large. IG's explanation was that Jason was showing off "aroused genitalia" with the giant bulge in his briefs.

Jason's throwing cold water on that theory though ... telling he wasn't all THAT aroused in the photo, calling it more of a "semi" sitch. He says basic knowledge of the male anatomy supports his claim. Buckle up for Prof. Derulo's lesson, class.

Now, as for any potential shrinkage -- he was emerging from a pool, after all -- Jason admits that was NOT an issue.

Yeah, as they say in ancient Rome ... res ipsa loquitur. The thing speaks for itself.

Watch the clip ... there is a serious point Jason wants to get across -- he believes IG is discriminating against his natural blessings. He's demanding equality, and he's ready to chat with Facebook and Instagram about it.

Sam Hunt's back in front of his fans for the first time since getting busted for a DUI ... and he says he'll be doing a lot more of it in 2020.

The country music star hit the stage Wednesday night at the RADIO.COM concert at Barclays Center in Brooklyn -- his first concert since his arrest in Nashville a few weeks back.

Sam didn't touch on the DUI, choosing to focus instead on just putting on a good show ... and making a big announcement about new music coming soon and a vow to hit the road and tour a lot more next year.

The Barclays show was Hunt's first time performing in NYC in over 2 years, and he played the hits like "Cop Car," "Body Like a Back Road," and "House Party" ... as you see in the clip.

Interestingly, he canceled his appearance Thursday night at the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Awards back in the city where he was arrested.

As we reported, cops said Hunt reeked of booze and his eyes were bloodshot when they pulled him over for allegedly driving the wrong way down a Nashville street.

Police say they asked for his driver's license, which was sitting in his lap, but Sam instead handed over a credit card and a passport. Cops say he also bombed his field sobriety test and blew a .173 -- more than twice the legal limit.

Sam was arrested, booked and released ... and he's been charged with DUI.

Hunt broke his silence a couple days later, saying he made some really bad choices and vowed not to repeat his mistakes.

Cedric the Entertainer says President Trump deserves the trash talk other world leaders were dropping on him this week, and news flash -- he thinks it happens ALL the time!!!

We got the comedian at the Bounce Trumpet Awards in Hollywood Wednesday night, and asked about Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau getting busted gossiping with British PM Boris Johnson and French Prez Emmanuel Macron ... about Trump's lengthy news conference.

Cedric tells us it's a case of Trump reaping what he sows, and the only shocking aspect of the NATO Summit smack-talk sesh is it's the first time a prominent world figure's been caught poking fun at POTUS.

As for how Trudeau can smooth things over -- Trump did call him "two-faced" after all -- Ced had some advice, based on experience.

The PM's already trying ... as we reported, Trudeau addressed the video by admitting they were discussing "certainly notable" events, but claims it wasn't as bad as it looked.

The man accused of abducting and murdering Aniah Blanchard went off in court Wednesday -- telling the judge, "Y'all have no video, no audio of me shooting anyone!"

Ibraheem Yazeed appeared with his attorney in an Alabama courtroom Wednesday to face capital murder charges in the death of Blanchard, step-daughter of UFC fighter Walt Harris.  Prosecutors have said they're pursuing the death penalty.

Yazeed was initially charged with 1st-degree kidnapping -- and when he appeared in court for the new, more serious charge ... he was not happy.

"I got rights too," Yazeed told the judge.

"Y'all have no video, no audio of me shooting anyone, that’s why I’m trying to see how y’all going to bind me over on hearsay. But y’all aren’t presenting no evidence."

Officials have video showing Yazeed at the same gas station where Blanchard was last seen before her disappearance.

A witness also claims Yazeed forced Blanchard into her car -- which was later found covered in blood.

Cops believe Yazeed ultimately shot Blanchard to death and then hid her body in a wooded area.

Officials say there is a NEW witness who saw Yazeed with a gun tucked into his shorts while in possession of Blanchar's car.

Officials say the witness claimed Yazeed had admitted to shooting a girl and that the girl had "went for the gun" before he murdered her.

In other words, Aniah fought back.

It seems this new witness -- unnamed in the court doc to protect the person's identity -- was the key to finding Blanchard's body.

Kaskade's no longer dropping beats at Las Vegas' club Kaos ... he's just dropping lawsuits on them for, in his eyes, screwing him out of a 2-year deal.

The world-famous DJ is suing FP Holdings, the company behind the Palms Casino Resort ... where Kaskade was hired to spin at Kaos -- a massive indoor/outdoor dayclub and nightclub. Problem is, Kaos closed almost as quickly as it opened.

According to the lawsuit, obtained by TMZ, Kaskade signed a 2-year deal with the casino to perform 30 gigs in 2019, and 30 more in 2020. He did 20 this year, through September, but then the company canceled Kaskade's 3 October performances ... and apparently never mentioned anything about closing. However, it did pay him for those 3 shows.

Kaskade says he offered the club alternate dates when he could make up those dates -- but on Nov. 5 the casino announced Kaos was closing its doors for good. He asked the casino for alternative locations to perform, but says he didn't get a response.

As they say, Kaskade ain't got no time for sympathy -- just because the club closed, he says he's still got a deal, and he's suing to get the money he's owed under that contract.

Mike "The Situation" Sorrentino is sponsoring a scholarship you don't see every day ... a free 30-day drug and alcohol treatment program.

Here's the situation ... Mike and his wife, Lauren, are partnering with Banyan Treatment Centers and they're going to hook up one lucky person with the gift of free rehab.

The scholarship application just went live online, and Mike and Lauren will pick one worthy recipient before announcing their choice on Christmas Eve -- the 4-year anniversary of Mike's sobriety.

Banyan is putting up the money for the cost of the 30-day treatment and will screen all applicants.

The "Jersey Shore" star recently toured one of Banyan's rehab facilities in Florida, and there are other locations in Illinois, Massachusetts and Pennsylvania.

As you know, Mike went to rehab in 2015 after rising to fame on "Jersey Shore" ... and now he's using his platform to help save someone else's life.

Ray J is back to wearing his wedding band after briefly ditching it, but he still doesn't know if there's a chance of working things out with his wife after their fight and divorce threats.

We got Ray J leaving Chelsea Studios in New York City Wednesday, and asked how he's holding up now that Princess Love says she no longer wants to be married to him.

Ray says only God knows if there's a real shot at reconciliation with his pregnant wife. Remember, Princess claims he left her and their daughter "stranded" in Vegas after a heated argument.

The slight bit of good news is Ray is once again rocking his wedding ring.

As we first told you ... Ray J ditched his wedding ring before catching a flight Monday outta LAX. However, the fact he's wearing it again doesn't necessarily mean the couple's headed for a reconciliation.

This brown-eyed kid would go on to become a teen idol and one of the best-selling music artists in the world, but before that ... he was just a Canadian kid growing up in Ontario.

Before he got discovered by his popular YouTube cover song videos, he learned how to play piano, guitar, drums and the trumpet and often busked in front of the Avon Theatre.

His cover songs are what caught the eye of a major talent manager in 2008 though, and before long he was signed with a record company ... and started collaborating with Usher!

The kid's first single was released in 2009 after he just turned 15 -- before he'd even put out an album -- and helped launch him to stardom ... along with his signature haircut.

Soon after, his album debuted at #8 and produced more hit singles, and the teenage sensation went on to perform on "The Today Show," "The Ellen DeGeneres Show" and at The White House for "Christmas in Washington."

He's continued to put out smash hits since then, but has taken a long break from touring and releasing new music in order to better himself ... and he's also gotten married.

Justin Timberlake is apologizing to Jessica Biel for getting cozy with his female costar in New Orleans ... and while he admits he was drunk, he insists nothing sexual happened.

Justin was photographed with Alisha Wainwright on a balcony at a NOLA bar last month, and they seemed to get handsy. He's clearly seen and heard all the buzz about the pics. He says he "displayed a strong lapse in judgement" with Alisha, his costar in "Palmer" ... a movie they're currently filming down there.

He added, in a lengthy IG post, the rumors about the incident are "hurting the people I love."

Justin blames the whole situation on alcohol, saying he drank way too much that night, but adds nothing happened between Alisha and him.

Translation, we held hands but didn't have sex.

JT says he should be setting a better example for his and Jessica's 4-year-old son, Silas Randall, and apologizes to his wife and family for putting them through what he calls an "embarrassing situation."

Barack and Michelle Obama are busting out the champagne, we imagine, to celebrate closing the deal for a mega-estate on Martha's Vineyard.

The Obamas got the keys Wednesday for the awesome mansion which sits on 29 acres of beachfront property. TMZ broke the story back in August when the former Prez and First Lady were in escrow on the luxurious home ... formerly owned by Celtics owner Wyc Grousbeck.

As we told you, it was listed for $14,850,000 ... but our sources told us the Obamas were paying much less. Now we know how much less. According to real estate records, they're plunking down $11.75 million.

That kinda dough gets them 6,900 square feet with 7 bedrooms. The enormous pad has a pool, outdoor fireplace, and vaulted ceilings. It also has 2 guest wings off the main home.

Michelle and Barack test drove the house over the summer ... when they were renting it. Obviously, they were impressed and decided to make it permanent.

Tom LeClair and Gerret Conover of Landvest were realtors for the transaction. We reached out, but they had no comment.

Congrats to the new homeowners! Did we mention their estate comes with a private beach and a boathouse?

Tekashi 6ix9ine deserves a much lighter prison sentence due to his cooperation -- AKA snitching -- according to federal prosecutors who are officially asking the judge for leniency.

In legal docs, obtained by TMZ ... the U.S. Attorney in the Southern District of New York lays out the reasons for a reduced sentence for the rapper. They say his assistance was "incredibly significant and extremely useful" in prosecuting and convicting 2 members of the Nine Trey Bloods.

Even the feds acknowledge Tekashi's testimony in open court put a target on his back and endangered his family. In the docs, prosecutors say, "There's no question that the defendant's life will never be the same because of his cooperation in this case." They add he and his family will need "extra safety precautions" at all times to avoid a revenge attack.

The feds say 6ix9ine walked them through his social media posts to provide context for the criminal actions of the gang -- which they say the defendants, Anthony "Harv" Ellison and Aljermiah Mack, claimed was all a hoax to promote Tekashi's music. They say his testimony convinced the jury otherwise.

As we reported ... Tekashi copped a plea deal after pleading guilty to racketeering, firearms offenses, conspiracy, narcotics trafficking and other crimes. 6ix9ine agreed to be a cooperating witness, and without that would be facing a mandatory minimum sentence of 47 years in prison.

"Tarzan" star Ron Ely's son's fatal encounter with cops was caught on camera ... and you can hear police giving commands before unloading a deadly barrage of bullets.

TMZ's obtained police footage of the officer-involved shooting that killed Ron's 30-year-old son, Cameron Ely, outside his parent's California property after Cameron allegedly stabbed his mother, Valerie Lundeen Ely, to death.

While you don't actually see Cameron get shot to death, the video rolls from the hood of a police cruiser through the whole incident. You hear a deputy clearly order Cameron to keep his hands up before dozens of gunshots ring out.

Another deputy then says there's a gun under Cameron -- but cops later concluded Cameron was unarmed -- and only faked having a weapon.

As we reported ... police rushed to Ron's Hope Ranch property after Cameron called 911 at some point after killing his mom. The operator said Cameron was crying and out of breath.

R. Kelly's girlfriend is officially breaking her silence with a video that refutes the abuse claims attributed to her on a Patreon account ... claims she calls total BS.

Joycelyn Savage says she wants to clear her name following reports she'd turned on Kelly by posting dirty deets about their relationship on the paysite, Patreon. She says she had nothing to do with the site, and STILL has no plans to assassinate Kelly's character.

But, in this video we obtained ... Joycelyn starts out reading a prepared statement, or, as Kelly's critics might call it ... a script.

As for the claims of abuse, purportedly made in her name on Patreon, she says they were all flat-out false -- and she blames an impostor for launching that page, as well as an Instagram account bearing her name.

Joycelyn also reveals the current status of her relationship with Kelly, saying they communicate daily.

It should be noted ... lots of people had cast doubt as to the veracity of the Patreon account, including R. Kelly accuser Lisa Van Allen, who explained her rationale to us on "TMZ Live."

Joycelyn did go off script later in her video statement ... adding both she and Azriel Clary are still firmly in Kelly's corner, although Azriel never appears on camera.

As we reported, Patreon shut down the alleged Joycelyn account after it couldn't authenticate the owner's identity.

R. Kelly, meanwhile, is still behind bars ... and dealing with multiple federal and state sexual abuse cases, but Joycelyn says she still sees him regularly.

The San Francisco 49ers have suspended broadcaster Tim Ryan for one game ... after the ex-NFLer said Lamar Jackson was successful at faking hand-offs because of "his dark skin."

Ryan -- who played with the Chicago Bears from 1990-93 before starting his commentary career -- went on a KNBR radio show to discuss the Niners' 20-17 loss to the Ravens and why the QB is so good.

“He’s really good at that fake, Lamar Jackson," Ryan said. "But, when you consider his dark skin with a dark football with a dark uniform, you could not see that thing."

“I mean you literally could not see when he was in and out of the mesh point and if you’re a half step slow on him in terms of your vision, forget about it, he’s out of the gate.”

Ryan -- who joined the Niners' radio team in 2014 -- later addressed his comment, saying “I regret my choice of words in trying to describe the conditions of the game. Lamar Jackson is an MVP-caliber player and I respect him greatly. I want to sincerely apologize to him and anyone else I offended,"

The Niners released a statement on Wednesday ... announcing he will not be on the radio waves when S.F. takes on the New Orleans Saints on Sunday.

“We hold Tim to a high standard as a representative of our organization and he must be more thoughtful with his words," the team said.

Jason Mraz won't hesitate no more ... to go after the brewing giant he says used one of his hit songs without permission.

The singer-songwriter's got a major legal battle on tap for MillerCoors -- he's sued 'em for a Coors Light advertisement he spotted on Instagram. According to Jason's lawsuit, the ad contains an unauthorized clip of him performing "I'm Yours" live.

In the suit, obtained by TMZ, Mraz says the clip was from his performance at the BeachLife Festival in Redondo Beach, CA back in May -- and 13 seconds of footage were included in the summer-themed ad.

Mraz points out the spot also features his image along with the Coors Light logo and a can of the beer prominently displayed. He says he gave MillerCoors a heads up it was committing copyright infringement, but it failed to seek his permission and has "never acknowledged the wrongfulness of the use."

It's unclear if MillerCoors is holding out for Jason to look into his heart and find love for their ad ... we've contacted the company to find out.

For now, Mraz wants the Coors Light ad killed and he's suing for damages.