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Tyre Nichols' mom is hopeful Congress will make good on what came across as a promise during President Biden's State of the Union address ... but she's reiterating it's time for them to finally act on real police reforms.

We caught up with RowVaughn Wells on Capitol Hill Tuesday night, shortly after the President delivered his State of the Union address ... in which he referenced the fatal beating her son endured at the hands of Memphis cops last month.

RowVaughn tells us she's very appreciative of the President's strong message Tuesday night ... saying now it's all about putting forth action.

Given the reaction in Congress after the Prez speech, she says it looks like something might really change this time around. However, she says "we'll just wait to see" -- a point Ben Crump, who is representing the Nichols family also reinforced.

As you know Tyre was beaten by multiple Memphis PD officers so badly during a Jan. 7 traffic stop ... he died 3 days later in a hospital bed.

Since his death, police have released gruesome video of the brutal beating ... which stirred outrage and multiple peaceful protests across the country.

Five Black officers were immediately fired, and later charged with second-degree murder.

Other firefighters and officers who responded to the scene without rendering timely assistance to Tyre have also been fired, but no one else has been criminally charged.

Tyre's family has vowed to join the renewed push for legislators to pass the George Floyd Justice in Policing act ... which was defeated in a 2021 Senate vote.

Senator Mitt Romney showed his utter contempt for Congressman George Santos -- telling the lyin' rep from New York his mere presence at the event -- especially where he was sitting -- proves he's shameless.

A visibly angry Romney walked into the House Chambers and crossed paths with Santos, who was all smiles. Romney launched, telling Santos, "You don't belong here," adding, "You ought to be embarrassed."

Santos seemed a bit taken aback, but shook it off and then tried to glad-hand anyone who would walk by.

Santos was one of the first to arrive on the House floor, grabbing a spot near where the President enters the Chamber.

After Biden's speech, Romney told reporters ... "I didn’t expect that he’d be standing there, trying to shake hands with every senator and the President of the United States."

Romney also said Santos "should be sitting in the back row and staying quiet, instead of parading in front of the President and people coming into the room."

On top of that, Romney said Santos would "hopefully" get removed from Congress after the House Ethics Committee completes its investigation into George's many lies about his background, education and charity work.

Santos also faces multiple federal and state probes looking into his possible campaign finance law violations. He has refused to step down despite many calls for him to do so.

While conservatives are up in arms about Sam Smith and Kim Petras' hell-themed performance of "Unholy" at the Grammys ... the Church of Satan is unimpressed.

David Harris, magister for the Church of Satan, tells TMZ ... Sam and Kim's performance was "alright" and "nothing particularly special."

Harris, who's pretty high up in the Church of Satan (kinda like a cardinal), says the imagery evoked in Sam and Kim's set is similar to what folks have already seen from other artists -- red clothing, fire and devil horns -- and it's all kind of passé now.

Of course, politicians like Senator Ted Cruz and Congresswomen Marjorie Taylor Greene and Lauren Boebert had entirely different takeaways ... as they railed against the Grammy night act, calling it evil.

MTG and Boebert's anti-Sam/Kim tweets referenced The Satanic Temple -- a different group from the Church of Satan -- but Harris is firing back on behalf of all Satanists, telling us ... "It's sad when politicians on a national stage use someone's religion as a punchline."

Ironically, he says Cruz, MTG and Boebert are a bunch of "delicate snowflakes."

Political bickering aside, the Church of Satan says Lil Nas X's music video for "Montero" was actually much more proactive than anything Sam or Kim did, at least in a satanic sense.

For the uninitiated ... Satanists don't actually worship Satan, nor do they believe in God or the Devil. They're opposed to anything supernatural and all spirituality, and with no belief in the afterlife, Satanists emphasize being your true self, personal achievement and living life to the fullest ... with one of the key tenants being individuals are their own Gods.

It's why the Church of Satan says Lil Nas X's "Montero" is much more in line with their philosophies ... in the music vid, LNX descends into hell, murders Satan and takes the devil's crown for himself.

LeBron James is officially the NBA's all-time leading scorer ... the Lakers superstar passed Kareem Abdul-Jabbar for the most points logged in league history on Tuesday night.

James accomplished the feat against the Oklahoma City Thunder ... in front of a Crypto.com Arena crowd that featured a slew of celebs and former athletes -- including Abdul-Jabbar himself.

Jay-Z, Floyd Mayweather, Dwyane Wade, Shannon Sharpe, Usher and Bad Bunny were all there too.

LBJ needed 36 points to pass Kareem heading into the game ... and after scoring 20 in the first half, he got the rest in the third quarter.

A fadeaway jumper earned him the record -- and the game was stopped so James could be honored. During the break, James was swarmed by his family members and friends -- as a hype video for James played on the arena's jumbotron.

Commissioner Adam Silver also spoke at center court following the record-breaking basket ... telling LeBron, "You are the NBA's all-time scoring leader. Congratulations." Abdul-Jabbar then passed a basketball to the future Hall of Famer, and gave him a hug.

James wiped away tears, before he took the mic and thanked the crowd in attendance. He finished his thank you speech by saying, "F***, man!"

The record is a monumental one -- after Kareem set it in 1984 ... many believed it would never be touched again. But James got the 38,388 that he needed in the 1,410th game of his career -- accomplishing the feat in 150 games less than KAJ did.

James was as consistent as one could possibly be in his chase for the record -- never averaging less than 20.9 points per game in a season. In fact, in his 20th NBA season this year, the 38-year-old is averaging 30 points per game.

'Real Housewives' star Teresa Giudice is down a set of wheels ... her Mercedes-Benz was stolen from her New Jersey estate, and now police are working to get the whip back.

Sources with direct knowledge of the investigation tell TMZ ... Teresa's luxury car was stolen overnight Monday, when intruders came onto her $3.35 million property in Montville, NJ and drove off with her Benz.

Our sources say police were called and cops are currently investigating the incident, as well as working to get the car back to the 'RHONJ' star.

As for which Mercedes was stolen, that's unclear ... Teresa has had a G-Wagon for a while, but her hubby, Luis, gifted her a white Benz sedan for Christmas in 2021 when they were still engaged.

The good news ... law enforcement already has some early leads, because we're told there is surveillance video from Teresa's home capturing the crime and the suspects on camera.

Madonna is firing back at the haters who made fun of the way her face looked at the Grammys ... she says it's degrading and reeks of ageism and misogyny.

The pop star posted a lengthy social media rant Tuesday, addressing the jokes that were flying online during the Grammys, when she introduced Kim Petras and Sam Smith before they performed their Grammy-winning song "Unholy."

Madonna says the folks judging her physical appearance are focusing on the wrong thing -- Kim was the first trans woman to perform at the Grammys -- and she says the photos were "taken with a long lens camera by a press photographer that would distort anyone's face!!"

She says it's just the latest example of her being "caught in the glare of ageism and misogyny that permeates the world we live in."

64-year-old Madonna says anyone making wisecracks are part of a bigger problem ... she says our society refuses to celebrate women over the age of 45 and feels the need to punish women who, like her, are strong-willed, hard-working and adventurous.

Madonna's really digging in her heels ... saying she's never apologized for the way she looks or dresses and she sure as heck isn't going to start now.

While it was mostly Twitter users hurling insults, Madonna adds ... "I have been degraded by the media since the beginning of my career but I understand that this is all a test and I am happy to do the trailblazing so that all the women behind me can have an easier time in the years to come."

Madonna's also channeling another big winner from the Grammys, saying ... "In the words of Beyoncé 'You won't break my soul.'"

Don't expect Madonna to shy away from the cameras, long lenses or otherwise ... she says she looks forward to many more years of subversive behavior, pushing boundaries, standing up to the patriarchy and enjoying her life.

Pretty Ricky's Baby Blue is now a free man, kind of, after serving a little over a year in his PPP fraud case, and his bandmates were there to greet him upon release.

The Federal Bureau of Prisons tells TMZ Hip Hop ... Baby Blue was released Tuesday from the Federal Correctional Institution Coleman Low in Florida.

The 38-year-old pled guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud in August 2020, and was sentenced to 20 months in prison ... which he started serving in February 2022.

Blue was transferred to the BOP's Miami Residential Reentry Management Office, which oversees inmates transitioning back to public life. He will stay in community confinement -- either home detention or a halfway house -- until he is officially released from custody on April 4.

Upon his release, Blue was surprised by Pleasure P and Spectacular, Blue's actual brother, who both excitedly live streamed the moment as they promised to celebrate in various ways ... but Baby Blue isn't completely out of the woods yet.

Baby Blue has another 3 years of supervised release, and still has to pay $1,111,345.23 in restitution as part of his sentence.

According to court docs, he forfeited a 2010 Ferrari 458 Italia about a year ago, but that only knocked around $65K off his tab -- so he still owes well over $1 million.

Andy Reid does NOT need a second Super Bowl title this weekend to cement his eventual place in Canton ... so says ex-NFL head coach Brad Childress, who tells TMZ Sports the Chiefs honcho is already a Hall of Fame lock.

Reid's resume is ultra-impressive -- he's been a head coach for 24 seasons and has piled up a staggering 247 wins to just 138 losses ... but, some have wondered if dropping his Super Bowl record to 1-3 Sunday could somehow hold him back from eventual enshrinement in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Childress, though, told us this week there's no chance that happens ... even if the 64-year-old loses to the Philadelphia Eagles in Arizona.

"He's already a Hall of Fame guy," Childress said. "All [a win] does is put some sprinkles on top of the sundae."

In fact, Childress -- who coached for years as an assistant on several of Reid's staffs -- said he believes the K.C. head man already has a case to be on the Mt. Rushmore of all-time NFL coaches.

"His professional career is second to none," Childress said.

As for if this could possibly be the finale of Reid's career -- there's been speculation he could choose to ride off into the sunset with a win -- Childress said there's certainly a chance ... though unlikely.

American actress Molly Price was 32 years old when she was first cast as Faith Yokas -- the NYPD police officer who was promoted to detective -- in the drama series "Third Watch" back in 1999.

Price shared the big screen with Coby Bell whose father was also an NYPD officer (and was killed), Tyrone Davis, Jason Wiles as the police officer with dry humor, Maurice Boscorelli aka "Bosco" and Kim Raver as the paramedic who struggles with her mental health, Kim Zambrano.

Molly was also in the film "Sweet And Lowdown" with Woody Allen, as well as "Sex And The City" where she played Carrie Bradshaw's friend, Susan Sharon.

Floyd Mayweather just outdid himself (and everyone else, too), dropping $1 MILLION on a BIG ass iced-out, white gold chain that weighs nearly 6 pounds!!

45-year-old Mayweather linked up with Johnny Dang -- celeb jeweler and grill king -- and while the boxing legend has a birthday coming up, we're told he was just in the mood to treat himself,

And, did he ever ... with the biggest necklace in the world (as far as JD knows).

The chain, which weighs 2.6 kilos (or 5.7 lbs.), is made of white gold and has 8,500 diamonds -- a whopping 300 ct.'s -- and costs 7 figures!

On the clasp of the Cuban link chain, in diamonds, are the letters "TMT" ... for "The Money Team".

It's not the first time Mayweather has bought ridiculously expensive pieces from Dang ... but it's absolutely the biggest chain he's ever bought.

Of course, Floyd retired from fighting professionally years ago ... but TBE's still putting on exhibition fights across the globe. In fact, Mayweather's boxing Aaron Chalmers at the O2 in London on February 25 ... and you can bet he'll go home with another big check.

In what many may consider a bizarre pairing, Priscilla Presley has ties to the 'Jackass' world -- in none other than the troubled Bam Margera.

Elvis' ex-wife -- and the mother of the late Lisa Marie Presley -- posed for some casual snaps posted Tuesday with the former skateboarder-turned-stuntman ... who's been on a downward trend lately in his personal life. BM posted two photos he'd taken with Priscilla.

In both, it seems they're just hanging out at someone's house. For the first IG, Bam simply wrote ... "Lunch with prescilla Presley." Didn't quite get the spelling right -- but no harm, no foul we suppose.

The second caption read, "Priscilla Presley watching Phoenix the wolf." You can see PP staring at something and Bam looking on with glee -- it's unclear if she's checking out a photograph or a screen, but he's suggesting she's taking a gander at his 5-year-old son, Phoenix Wolf Margera.

While this appearance together might seem like it's coming out of nowhere, it's not really ... Bam's actually friends with Lisa Marie's half-brother -- and Priscilla's son -- Navarone Garcia.

Of course, seeing Bam with Priscilla during such a tumultuous time in both of their lives is a little worrisome -- at least on its face. As we've reported ... Priscilla is challenging a trust LMP had tinkered with before she died, putting daughter Riley Keough in charge instead of her.

Michael Jackson's music may very well have a new co-owner if a mega deal is negotiated with Sony worth nearly a billion dollars, but there are strings attached ... TMZ has learned.

Sources with direct knowledge tell TMZ ... the MJ estate will NEVER sell Michael's historic catalog outright. BUT, we've learned the estate would entertain a 50/50 split, but only if the estate maintains complete management and control.

Our sources say the estate would consider selling a 50% interest for around $900 million, and that would cover recordings, publishing rights, etc.

Here's what we're hearing ... there appears to be talks underway between the estate and Sony. When you think about it, Sony makes a lot of sense ... it's Mike's long-term label.

This is a distinction from other huge catalog sales that have gone down -- including from guys like Bruce Springsteen, Bob Dylan, Justin Bieber and more. Those deals, didn't even come close to what's potentially at play for Michael's stuff ... and they also relinquished virtually all say over how the work can be used by their new corporate owners.

Springsteen's catalog went for $500 million, and Justin Bieber's went for $200 mil ... again, that for total ownership.

If these MJ talks manifest, it would easily be the biggest blockbuster sale ever -- which speaks to just how popular and in demand Michael continues to be to this day.

WWE legend Jerry "The King" Lawler was rushed to the hospital after suffering a medical emergency on Monday, this according to multiple reports.

The 73-year-old had a stroke and underwent surgery at a Florida hospital, Action News 5 reports.

Pro wrestler Ricky Morton seemed to confirm Lawler's status ... tweeting, "I hope my friend is going to be okay. I love you, Jerry."

"Please direct good vibes, thoughts, & prayers to Jerry at this time. Genuinely appreciate it & hope to hear good news in the very near future. ❤️"

Lawler recently appeared at WWE's Royal Rumble Show last month ... where he was a commentator on the hour-long Kickoff Show panel with Booker T and Peter Rosenberg.

Jerry appeared to be fine that night ... but the WWE Hall of Famer has had heart issues in the past, suffering a near-fatal cardiac arrest on a 2012 episode of Monday Night Raw. He also had a stroke in 2018.

Lawler -- inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2007 -- is signed to WWE, but has not been a full-time commentator since April 2020.

Lawler last wrestled against Scott Steiner in March 2022 at USA Pro Wrestling's 29th Anniversary Show in Orlando.

Leonardo DiCaprio absolutely has a thing for women many years his junior, but his latest reported romantic link, a 19-year-old model just ain't legit ... TMZ has learned.

Rumors about Leo and Eden Polani started to fly last week after the two were spotted hanging out together at a music release party in Los Angeles for Ebony Riley's EP.

A source close to Leo tells us despite a photo showing Eden and Leo sitting next to each other, they're not dating and not a couple whatsoever.

Our source says Leo and Eden just so happen to have been seated next to each other at the party, and were hanging in the same group.

Our source makes it clear ... just because Leo might be talking to or sitting with a girl doesn't mean he's dating her.

Leo ended his relationship with 25-year-old Camila Morrone last year after 4 years together. Since then, he's been linked to multiple women ... including Gigi Hadid and 23-year-old actress Victoria Lamas. Our source says Leo is not in anything serious right now.

Diddy isn't above a petty reaction to Burna Boy's defeat in the Best Global Music Album category at the Grammy Awards ... especially because they won the award together their last time collaborating!!!

Following the ceremony, Diddy took to IG amid his messages of love to snipe BB ... taking credit for the Afrobeats star's first and only Grammy win, while scoffing at the notion he thought his latest project, "Love, Damini" would be just as successful.

Diddy served as co-executive producer for Burna's 2020 album "Twice as Tall" ... adding hip hop flavor to help him warm up to the North American audiences.

Together, they not only won the Best Global Music Album the following year but also topped the Billboard US World Albums chart.

Judging from the picture Diddy paints, he worked on the project outta sheer boredom during the COVID-19 pandemic ... and they didn't even meet in person until after the album was released!!!

BB also lost out on his Best Global Music Performance yesterday ... further proving Diddy's point and get this ... even BB's Nigerian fans appear to be riding with Puff and are demanding BB make things right -- or fall off forever!!!

Gabby Petito's family just released a photo that they say backs their wrongful death suit -- namely, what they claim is an alarming selfie taken minutes before cops stopped her -- and proof officers should've taken action.

Attorneys for Gabby's parents -- who filed suit against the Moab Police Dept. in Utah for not intervening to protect their daughter before she was killed by her boyfriend, Brian Laundrie -- distributed a picture they claim was taken on her phone minutes before she and Brian encountered MPD officers on the road ... following a call from a concerned citizen.

The photo appears to show Gabby with a bruised eye and red marks on her face ... something that didn't look nearly as visible in body cam footage taken during the actual traffic stop.

Interestingly, the cop talking to Gabby did point out something on her face ... asking if she'd been hit. He also pointed out what he seemed to think was an injury on her shoulder.

The Petito family says a timestamp from Gabby's selfie shows it was taken at 4:37 PM on August 12. Moab PD's body cam footage started rolling shortly after at around 4:53 PM.

Gabby's parents feel this shows she was obviously injured at the hands of Brian ... and that law enforcement had a duty to step in and shield her. As we now know, the two officers on the scene made a decision not to arrest anyone at the time ... something the Petitos feel warrants at least $50 million in damages.