George Floyd Killing Cop Who Killed Floyd Arrested for Murder ... 8 Minutes, 46 Seconds on George's Neck

UPDATE

6:31 PM PT -- Chauvin's mugshot has just been released.

Former Minnesota police officer Derek Chauvin has been charged with 3rd-degree murder and 2nd-degree manslaughter, and according to the complaint he created "an unreasonable risk and taking a chance of causing death or great bodily harm to George Floyd."

The D.A. announced the charges Friday and said Chauvin is in custody, but the other 3 officers are still under investigation and no charges have been filed ... at least not yet.

ARRESTED AND CHARGED
Fox 9

According to the complaint, an officer approached George Floyd's car and ordered him out at gunpoint, claiming he passed counterfeit currency. Once Floyd put his hands on the steering wheel, the cop holstered his gun.

The complaint says George "actively resisted being handcuffed." Once in cuffs, however, he became compliant, according to the complaint.

The complaint is based, in part, on the various body cam videos the D.A. reviewed. Cops told George he was being arrested for passing bogus money, and then walked him across the street to a squad car, where George "stiffened up, fell to the ground, and told the officers he was claustrophobic."

At that point, according to the complaint, Chauvin arrives on scene in his squad car. According to the complaint, cops made several attempts to get George in the back of the squad car, but he would not voluntarily go and struggled.

While standing outside the car, George repeatedly said he could not breathe. This is before Chauvin put his knee on George's neck.

MOMENTS BEFORE HIS DEATH
Dragon Wok

At 8:19 PM, Chauvin pulled George out of the squad car and Floyd went to the ground, handcuffed. There are 2 other officers on George's back and legs -- you can't see them in the video, but this is the moment when Chauvin placed his left knee on George's neck.

5/25/20
EXCESSIVE FORCE
Facebook/ Darnella Frazier

George keeps saying, "I can't breathe" and "Mama" and "please." The officers said to George, "You are talking fine." One of the other officers said, "Should we roll him on his side?" and Chauvin replied, "No, staying put where we got him."

Another officer said, "I am worried about excited delirium or whatever." Chauvin said, "That's why we have him on his stomach."

At 8:24 PM, George stopped moving, and at 8:25 PM video appears to show him cease breathing or speaking.

At this point, another officer checks George's wrist for a pulse and says, "I couldn't find one." None of the officers moved from their position. At 8:27 Chauvin finally removed his knee. In all, Chauvin had his knee on George's neck for 8 minutes, 46 seconds ... 2 minutes, 53 seconds of that was AFTER GEORGE BECAME UNRESPONSIVE.

According to the complaint, "Police are trained that this type of restraint with a subject in a prone position is inherently dangerous."

The autopsy says George had underlying medical conditions, including coronary artery disease and hypertensive heart disease. The M.E. said, "The combined effects of Mr. Floyd being restrained by the police, his underlying health conditions and any potential intoxicants in his system likely contributed to his death." These are preliminary findings pending toxicology tests.

The M.E. does say there were no "physical findings to support diagnosis of traumatic asphyxia or strangulation."

The 3rd-degree murder charge carries a max sentence of 25 years.

Originally published -- 9:48 AM PT

SpaceX Rocket Explosive Failure to Launch!!! But Unmanned (Whew!)

5/29/2020
SpaceX-plosion
NASA

Elon Musk is having a rough week -- one of his SpaceX rockets ignited into a massive ball of fire Friday, and yet ... there's still some good news.

The company's 4th prototype of its Starship rocket was fueled up on a south Texas launchpad when it burst into flames. You can hear SpaceX engineers discussing something about a possible methane leak, though it's unclear if that was from the rocket or something nearby the pad.

Either way ... something lit Elon's baby on fire. Luckily, the test was unmanned -- unlike the Crew Dragon spacecraft, they hope to send into orbit on Saturday from Cape Canaveral.

As you know, Wednesday's launch was scrubbed due to crappy weather in Florida. Right now, the launch still only has a 50/50 shot of going off as scheduled. It rains a lot in FL and could get pushed to Sunday.

5/27/20
POSTPONED LAUNCH
NASA

As for the Starship rocket ... SpaceX hopes that will eventually be able to carry large numbers of space tourists -- up to 100 at a time -- into space, and eventually to Mars.

Show of hands ... who wants to be first on board?

Producer David Jassy Drops 'San Quentin Mixtape' Brought Rival Gangs Together

CHANGING OUR TUNE
TMZ.com

Music producer David Jassy says a magical thing happened while producing a mixtape inside San Quentin State Prison -- rival gang members found common ground in their love for music.

The award-winning producer, and formerly incarcerated man at San Quentin, joined us Friday on "TMZ Live" to download us on his groundbreaking achievement, a 17-track mixtape written, recorded and produced inside one of America's most notorious prisons.

David says the project, dubbed "San Quentin Mixtape, Vol. 1," quickly brought together members from rival sets within the highly-segregated prison.

When he started making beats on a keyboard inside his cell, David says he noticed inmates from different gangs congregating outside -- a super rare occurrence for any prison, let alone San Quentin.

David seized on the opportunity and ran with it ... pairing rival gang members on the same tracks to further boost camaraderie and ease years of tensions.

In the end, David managed to get 17 different inmates to rap about their struggles behind bars without using profanity, while teaching them the ins and outs of the music industry, production and artistry.

The end result goes way beyond creating a record -- as David told us the inmates learned valuable skills they can use in the future. In other words ... true prison reform.

CHANGING LIVES THROUGH MUSIC

The mixtape dropped Friday on all streaming platforms ... and as we first reported, David already got a huge shout-out from Kim Kardashian, who had visited him at San Quentin before Governor Gavin Newsom commuted his sentence just a couple months ago.

It's a pretty cool look behind the music ... and David tells us how the inmates are paying it forward since, legally, they can't get paid for their work on the record.

Justin Hartley Plants Wet One On Ex-'Y&R' Costar!!!

UPDATE

2:21 PM PT -- Justin's new girlfriend is actually someone very familiar to him ... former 'Young and the Restless' costar Sofia Pernas. Justin played Adam Newman on the soap opera from 2014 until 2016. And, get this ... Sofia joined the show in 2015 to play Justin's TV GF, Marisa Sierras. But, here's what's also interesting ... Chrishell was also on the show in 2016. Awk.

Justin Hartley's got a new bae by his side ... or so it seems.

The "This Is Us" star planted a wet one on a mystery woman Thursday as she dropped him off at the Southern California Orthopedic Institute in the L.A. area. It's unclear who she is at the moment ... but they must be pretty close for her to be the one dropping him off to his orthopedic's office. She was also the one who picked him up several hours later.

It's the first time Justin's been spotted with someone new since he filed for divorce from "Selling Sunset" star Chrishell Stause back in November. As we reported days after Justin filed docs ... Chrishell strongly hinted she was blindsided by the divorce docs.

And, then things really got ugly. As we first reported ... Chrishell called BS on the date of separation Justin listed in his divorce docs. You'll recall Justin listed July 8, 2019 as the date of separation but she says it was more like November 22, 2019.

We know they were out together in public together multiple times between July and November, so, yes, Justin's early separation date is puzzling. Our sources told us Chrishell didn't think it's all that puzzling ... since all signs seem to point to some sort of deal Justin may have inked, believing he just doesn't want her to get a slice of the bigger pie.

In any event ... Justin appears to have moved on, but the divorce rages on.

Originally Published -- 11:37 AM PT

Colin Kaepernick Backs 'Freedom Fighters' in Minn. ... We'll Pay For Lawyers!

Colin Kaepernick is offering to cover legal bills for the "freedom fighters" on the ground in Minnesota ... claiming he's already put together a team of "top" defense attorneys.

"In fighting for liberation there’s always retaliation," Kaepernick said Friday morning ... "We must protect our Freedom Fighters."

"We started a legal defense initiative to give legal representation to Freedom Fighters in Minneapolis paid for by [Know Your Rights Camp]."

Kaepernick has donated a ton of his own money to the org. over the years -- but says they're also accepting donations from outside supporters.

The Know Your Rights Camp expanded on the initiative ... saying they have already "identified and teamed up with top defense lawyers in the Minneapolis, Minnesota area to provide legal resources for those in need."

"When there is an injustice within our community, it is our legal right to address it, by any means necessary."

"If you, or a loved one is in need of legal assistance, or has been arrested while fighting injustice in the Minneapolis area, please complete the form below with as much detail as possible."

On Thursday, Kaepernick tweeted out his support for a revolution after the killing of George Floyd ... saying, "When civility leads to death, revolting is the only logical reaction."

He added,  "The cries for peace will rain down, and when they do, they will land on deaf ears, because your violence has brought this resistance."

"We have the right to fight back!"

So far, protestors have set fire to multiple buildings in Minnesota including a police precinct.

President Trump has threatened to send military personnel -- and noted, "When the looting starts, the shooting starts."

Barack Obama Talks George Floyd Death 'This Shouldn’t Be 'Normal' in 2020'

Amid the chaos, confusion and division being stoked by the current occupant in the White House, Barack Obama's voice of calm and reason is chiming in ... calling George Floyd's death tragic and painful.

The 44th President of the United States says what happened to Floyd "shouldn't be 'normal' in 2020 America" ... while also invoking the deaths of Ahmaud Arbery and what recently went down at Central Park. Obama also shared parts of conversations he says he's had with friends over the last couple of days following Floyd's death.

Check it out ... he shared a friend's email from a middle-aged African-American businessman who wrote to him, "I cried when I saw the video." Obama also said a friend used the powerful song that went viral after 12-year-old Keedron Bryant posted his video on Instagram earlier this week.

Keedron, BTW, captioned it simply saying, "Just singing what's on my heart...hope this blesses someone." Some of the lyrics include, "I'm a young black man, doing all that I can to stand. Oh, but when I look around and I see what's being done to my kind every day, I'm being hunted as prey."

Obama said it's normal for everyone wishing for everything to "just get back to normal" as a pandemic and economic crisis ravages this country. He added, "But we have to remember that for millions of Americans, being treated differently on account of race is tragically, painfully, maddeningly 'normal' — whether it’s while dealing with the health care system, or interacting with the criminal justice system, or jogging down the street, or just watching birds in a park."

The former Prez went on to say what went down in Minneapolis is something officials there will have to handle to ensure justice is done, "but it falls on all of us regardless of our race or nation ... to work together to create a 'new normal' in which the legacy of bigotry and unequal treatment no longer infects our institutions or our hearts."

Obama's statement is a stark difference to what President Trump tweeted earlier Friday ... calling for looters to be shot.

Kylie Jenner Fires Back at Forbes ... Claims She Never Faked Financial Documents

UPDATE

10:14 AM PT -- Kylie's legal team is now involved in the situation, attorney Michael Kump tells us, "We have reviewed Forbes’ article accusing Kylie of engaging in deceit and a 'web of lies' to inflate her net worth. The article is filled with outright lies. Forbes’ accusation that Kylie and her accountants 'forged tax returns' is unequivocally false and we are demanding that Forbes immediately and publicly retract that and other statements."

UPDATE

Kump continues, "It is sad that, of all things, Forbes has devoted 3 reporters to investigate the effect of the coronavirus crisis on Kylie’s net worth. We would not expect that from a supermarket tabloid, much less from Forbes."

UPDATE

8:56 AM PT -- Kylie is firing back at Forbes, saying, "what am i even waking up to. i thought this was a reputable site.. all i see are a number of inaccurate statements and unproven assumptions lol. i’ve never asked for any title or tried to lie my way there EVER. period."

UPDATE

She continues by quoting the article, "'even creating tax returns that were likely forged' that’s your proof? so you just THOUGHT they were forged? like actually what am i reading."

UPDATE

Finally saying, "but okay. i am blessed beyond my years, i have a beautiful daughter, and a successful business and i’m doing perfectly fine. i can name a list of 100 things more important right now than fixating on how much money i have."

Kylie Jenner's billionaire status just got yanked by Forbes -- which originally named her the youngest one ever -- and the mag claims it's all because the Jenners intentionally lied.

Forbes is blasting Kylie and her mom, Kris Jenner, for what it claims was a "web of lies" surrounding the success of Kylie Cosmetics. It all centers around the companies financials from 2016 to 2018.

Remember, Forbes crowned her the world's youngest-ever "self-made" billionaire in August 2018.

According to Forbes, the family invited them into their mansions and CPA's offices. Here's what the magazine says it was told: The Jenners provided documents showing Kylie's company's annual revenue from 2016 to 2018 was somewhere between $307 million to $360 million per year.

Forbes now says the real numbers were $125 mil for 2018, $177 mil for 2017 ... and Forbes doesn't provide a number for 2016, but claims it was still greatly exaggerated.

The magazine claims the Jenners had accountants create false tax returns "to help juice Forbes' estimate of Kylie's earnings and net worth." Important to note, Forbes is not saying she filed false tax returns with the government.

Now, don't get it twisted ... she ain't broke. Forbes' readjusted numbers claim she's actually worth just south of $900 million. So, she'll get to billionaire status at some point ... Forbes just thinks she cut corners to make it look like she got there early.

BTW, you'll recall Kylie sold off 51% of her company last year to cosmetics giant Coty. In somewhat of a final jab ... Forbes points out Coty's stock prices have plummeted more than 60% since the November 2019 deal.

Originally published -- 8:33 AM PT

George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery Family Lawyers Demand Action, Justice & Change ... Highlight Breonna Taylor Case, As Well

HIT THEM WHERE IT HURTS
UPDATE

8:55 AM PT -- Merritt and Crump just finished speaking and answering questions about the tragic killings of Arbery and Floyd — as well as Breonna Taylor’s in Louisville at the hands of police in a case of mistaken identity — and revealed potential next steps to get justice for them and their families.

UPDATE

Merritt spoke first, and suggested it’s time for economic boycotts and sanctions in the communities where these killings have happened, to send a message that racism, police brutality and injustice will not be tolerated any longer.

UPDATE

Crump touched on all 3 cases, but said they are just a microcosm of what he calls a “pandemic of racism” in America. He predicts, unless there is serious action taken in the country in the next month or 2, there will be another unjust killing of an unarmed black person.

UPDATE

Both lawyers called for murder charges for all the police officers involved in Floyd’s death — not just the one who kneeled on his neck — much like they called for the man who recorded video in Arbery’s slaying to be charged with murder … and he eventually was.

UPDATE

Crump also called for the Attorney General of Minnesota, Keith Ellison, to step up and take over the Floyd case, because he believes the current prosecutor’s claim that there’s not enough evidence to bring criminal charges is unacceptable.

UPDATE

Along with highlighting the issues in the Arbery and Floyd cases, Merritt, Crump and Jones made it a point to emphasize Taylor’s story … which has not received as much national attention as the other killings.

UPDATE

The lawyers are also representing Breonna’s family, and are pursuing justice for her just as vigorously as they are for the 2 men. Crump encouraged people to listen to the 911 call made in Taylor's killing to fully understand the injustice that was done to her.

Attorneys representing the families of George Floyd and Ahmaud Arbery will be holding a virtual press conference ... and TMZ's streaming it live.

Civil rights attorneys, Ben Crump and Lee Merritt, will be speaking Friday morning -- along with the news commentator and criminal justice reform advocate, Van Jones -- as part of a Team Roc Facebook presser called "Next Steps in Pursuit of Justice."

Crump is currently representing Floyd's family, and following the developments Thursday -- in which federal and state prosecutors announced they are not yet charging the 4 officers involved in Floyd's arrest and death -- he told us the family is outraged and crestfallen.

Crump, speaking on behalf of the family and millions of others who saw the video of Floyd being suffocated by cop Derek Chauvin's knee to his neck, doesn't understand how the video doesn't provide enough evidence for charges in George's killing.

Merritt is the lawyer for Arbery's family. As you know, 3 men have now been charged for murder in that case -- father/son Gregory and Travis McMichael, who ambushed Ahmaud as he was driving, and William "Roddie" Bryan, the man who recorded video of the incident.

The virtual press conference begins at 8 AM PT and is being put on by Team Roc.

Originally Published -- 7:52 AM PT

Julia Roberts Hail to the Chief Face Mask Sorry, Trump ... It's Obama

Julia Roberts is making a political statement with her face mask -- one that's sure to irk President Trump ... on so many levels.

The actress stepped out Thursday wearing a face covering with former President Barack Obama's face on it. Julia was strolling around the Malibu Country Mart as she did her part to mitigate the spreading of the coronavirus.

Let's face it, she was also further politicizing face coverings -- something the current POTUS started by refusing to wear one ... even though his own administration's guidelines say everyone should in public. Arguably, Trump's adamant stance is why we've seen clashes around the country over face masks.

Of course, 45 trashes 44 every chance he gets ... so the Oscar winner's pandemic fashion statement would no doubt get a thumbs down from the White House.

We're confident in saying ... Julia wouldn't give a crap.

Donald Trump Looters Should Be Shot

UPDATE

9:42 AM PT -- Governor Tim Walz just addressed Trump's tweet.

UPDATE
NOT HELPFUL
Fox 9 KMSP

Donald Trump has his own way of handling the civil unrest in Minneapolis, following the brutal cop killing of George Floyd -- he wants the looters shot.

True-to-form Trump tweeted his outrage, "....These THUGS are dishonoring the memory of George Floyd, and I won’t let that happen. Just spoke to Governor Tim Walz and told him that the Military is with him all the way. Any difficulty and we will assume control but, when the looting starts, the shooting starts. Thank you!"

That last threat -- "when the looting starts, the shooting starts" -- is lifted from a threat made by a former Miami police chief back in 1967 ... after brutal police practices resulted in civil unrest.

Now, check this out ... Twitter immediately tagged Trump's post, saying, "This Tweet violated the Twitter Rules about glorifying violence. However, Twitter has determined that it may be in the public's interest for the Tweet to remain accessible." Translation -- Trump's appalling, yet predictable, call to violence is irresponsible, but we need to know that's his mindset.

And, he all took an insulting, gratuitous shot at Minneapolis' Mayor, "I can’t stand back & watch this happen to a great American City, Minneapolis. A total lack of leadership. Either the very weak Radical Left Mayor, Jacob Frey, get his act together and bring the City under control, or I will send in the National Guard & get the job done right....."

Mayor Frey shot back, "Weakness is refusing to take responsibility for your own actions. Weakness is pointing your finger at somebody else during a time of crisis."

HE DOESN'T KNOW
Fox 9 KMSP

Shaun White IG Official With Nina Dobrev Wins Quarantine Gold

Shaun White and Nina Dobrev are quarantining together and want everyone to know ... with the new couple going official on Instagram!!

The duo sparked rumors when spotted out in public earlier this year ... and have been spending a LOT of time together ever since.

The 33-year-old superstar pretty much confirmed everyone's speculation on Friday ... showing off the 'Vampire Diaries' star trimming his signature red locks for a quarantine cut. You know, cute couple-y stuff.

Dobrev has a passion for snowboarding and White is one of the best to ever do it (3-time Olympic gold medalist) ... so it seems like a natural fit!

White has previously dated Sarah Barthel of Phantogram ... and Dobrev most recently dated filmmaker Grant Mellon.

As for the haircut ... White's new look isn't bad at all. Maybe Nina's got a second career in cosmetology??

Waiting for your permission to load the Instagram Media.

Of course, this ain't the first couple to blossom during the global pandemic ... as we previously reported, Lakers star Kyle Kuzma and supermodel Winnie Harlow started dating in quarantine ... and were even spotted out holding hands last month.

Love is in the air!! ... just keep your masks on.

Minneapolis Riots CNN Reporter Busted Live On Air!!!

ARRESTED ON AIR
CNN

Drop the mic, you're going to jail.

That's exactly what happened to CNN reporter Omar Jimenez right in the middle of covering the Minneapolis riots over George Floyd's killing ... but the cops are now saying, oops.

Jimenez was live on the air, just after 5 AM Central Time, when 2 Minnesota State Police officers in riot gear took the mic out of his hands, placed zip ties around his wrists and took him into custody.

At the time, he was standing on the mostly empty street in front of Minneapolis PD's 3rd Precinct which went up in flames Thursday night. State troopers had just arrived on the scene to clear the area, and you could hear Jimenez clearly identify himself as a CNN reporter ... and he also said he and his crew would move wherever cops needed them to go.

5/28/20
SET ABLAZE
CNN

The cops weren't in the mood to talk, clearly, and arrested Jimenez and his crew -- but a couple hours later, they were released.

The Minnesota State Patrol says 3 CNN staffers were arrested because officers were "clearing the streets and restoring order." They say all 3 were released "once they were confirmed to be members of the media."

The irony here is pretty obvious -- a black reporter gets arrested while covering riots sparked by the fact a police officer has NOT been arrested for killing a black man, on camera.

CNN's pissed because Jimenez and his crew identified themselves as media while ON THE AIR, mind you. The network says Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz had to step in to expedite the release of their staffers.

It's getting heavy.

George Floyd Killing NAACP Helping Protesters ... Masks, Coping Mechanisms

The George Floyd killing is sparking massive protests in Minneapolis, and the local NAACP is helping protesters ... by distributing face masks and tips for coping with the danger.

The Minneapolis NAACP plans to help protesters in the city by not only providing face coverings so they can stay safe in the age of COVID-19 but also by teaching techniques on meditation and deep breathing to help relax and cope with Floyd's death ... Leslie Redmond, president of the Minneapolis NAACP tells TMZ.

Leslie says folks in Minneapolis are so upset by Floyd's killing, there is no end in sight to the protests ... so the NAACP is stepping up with face masks, which will come in handy in the face of a respiratory pandemic posing danger to large gatherings.

As for those coping mechanisms ... the Minneapolis NAACP is holding health and wellness Facebook Live sessions aimed at young people, where they can learn to meditate and breathe deeper to relieve stress.

5/25/20
EXCESSIVE FORCE
Facebook/ Darnella Frazier

The deep breathing lessons are a case of tragic irony ... Floyd's slow death came at the hands of a cop kneeling on his carotid artery, while witnesses filmed and George told the officer he couldn't breathe.

RAGIN' FOR JUSTICE
@kscullinfox9

As we reported ... the protests and riots in Minneapolis have seen violence and looting.

The Minneapolis NAACP says the riots are a byproduct of years of neglect from the city and businesses, coupled with the pandemic.

Leslie says folks in Minny are starving, literally and figuratively, and Floyd's killing is the straw that broke the camels back. She says the NAACP has been trying to sound the alarm for years that something like this could happen, and while she's sad it's descended to this point, she's not surprised.

RUNNING FOR COVER
AP

Redmond says the NAACP looks at the riots and protests "as an uprising of oppressed and hurt people" ... and she says the solution is simple -- police need to stop killing black people.

The NAACP is hoping folks take their messaging to heart ... Leslie says a lot of the protesters in the streets are kids who don't mean harm, and they're just frustrated and need someone to provide guidance.

Madonna Mocked for Tribute to George Floyd ... Video of Her Son Dancing

Madonna tried to honor George Floyd by sharing a video of her teenage son dancing to a Michael Jackson song, but social media is a merciless universe ... especially for Madge, these days.

Thursday, before a third night of protests over Floyd's killing was beginning, Madonna released a 3 and a half-minute clip of her son, David Banda, busting moves to MJ's "They Don't Care About Us."

Waiting for your permission to load the Instagram Media.

She wrote ... "As news of George Floyds brutal murder travels around the world my son David Dances to honor and pay tribute to George and His Family and all Acts of Racism and Discrimination that happen on a daily basis in America."

While supportive Madge fans applauded the post and were impressed by David's dancing -- the kid is good -- it didn't go over well with a lot of other people ... who blasted her response to the hot-button issue as insensitive and clueless.

April Reign, the activist who created the #OscarsSoWhite campaign, wrote ... "Nobody asked Madonna to weigh in today. Not a soul. Unforced errors among public figures have been rampant this month." Others sarcastically thanked Madonna for "ending racism."

We'll say this ... Madonna's timing was not good. She posted the vid right around the time federal and local prosecutors held their news conference to say they were NOT arresting officer Derek Chauvin yet for Floyd's death. That non-announcement clearly fueled the rage that turned protests into fiery riots Thursday night.

So, yeah ... Madge's proud mom bit went over like a fart in church for many.

MLB's Max Kepler Apologizes For Wearing Blue Lives Matter Mask ... After Floyd's Death

Minnesota Twins outfielder Max Kepler has apologized for wearing a Blue Lives Matter mask in the wake of George Floyd's tragic death ... saying he "had no idea that the mask had any underlying inferences."

The 27-year-old MLB player posted a picture of himself in a mask featuring a Blue Lives Matter flag ... just days after people accused a Minneapolis cop of killing Floyd by putting his knee to the man's neck.

The mask -- which had a black and grey American flag with a blue stripe in it -- caused tremendous online backlash for Kepler ... but the Berlin, Germany native brushed off the criticism.

"✌️wasn’t aware what the mask supported. still not into politics" Max wrote.

But, that only caused MORE criticism for the MLB player ... and he finally addressed the issue formally in a lengthy statement on his social media page Thursday.

"Earlier, I posted a photo of me in a mask that was sent to me by a company, to wear during the pandemic," Kepler said. "I had no idea that the mask had any underlying inferences -- I simply thought it looked good."

"After I was informed, I immediately took down the post. I take complete responsibility for not knowing what I was wearing. I am truly sorry for the hurt and pain my actions have caused, especially now."

Kepler continued, "Racism has no place in our world and I do not in any way support the actions that we all witnessed that led to George Floyd’s passing. My sympathies are with the Floyd family."

The Twins have not addressed Kepler's picture directly ... but did release a statement of their own Thursday, saying, "We are deeply saddened by the tragic and senseless death of George Floyd Monday night in Minneapolis."

"The Minnesota Twins send our deepest sympathies to the Floyd family, and join our Twin Cities community in mourning."

The team added, "We will continue to working with our community partners to move forward with courage, free of hate and thoughtful in our path, to create the change we want to see in our world – one, all-inclusive Twins Territory, where everyone is protected, safe and welcome."

Steve Harvey Buys Tyler Perry's Former Mansion ... For $15 Million!!!

Steve Harvey is moving into Madea's old house ... we've learned the legendary comedian/host and his wife just scooped up Tyler Perry's former Atlanta digs.

The Buckhead mansion once owned by Tyler just sold for a cool $15 million ... and we've learned the buyers are Steve and his wife, Marjorie.

A source connected to Tyler tells TMZ ... "Tyler has a lot of great memories from the house and is happy his friends Steve and Marjorie will be calling it home."

The gated estate rests on 17 acres and is nearly 35,000 square feet. The 7-bedroom mansion is decked out with an underground ballroom, a massive infinity pool with a bar, lighted tennis court, gym, spa, theater, indoor resistance pool, wine cellar and a guest house.

Oh, and get this ... the place even comes with a runway for remote control airplanes!!!

Tyler bought the sprawling property way back in 2007 for $9 million and poured in millions to completely renovate the estate, eventually selling it to evangelist and entrepreneur David Turner in 2016 for $17.5 mil.

Perry's places are a hot commodity among celebs ... Meghan Markle and Prince Harry are staying at Tyler's L.A. mansion while they search for a place of their own.

As for Tyler ... he's doing something kind of awesome. His massive studio in ATL is back in business. He's shooting several of his shows on the property, and cast and crew get tested before coming on, and they're quarantined at the facility for 2 1/2 weeks while they shoot the season's episodes.

Old news is old news!
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