Caitlyn Jenner I'm Pro-Choice But ... I Back Texas' Right to Adopt Abortion Laws

SUPPORTING THE STATE
CNN

Caitlyn Jenner says she's all for "a woman's right to choose," but she also supports Texas' new, restrictive abortion law ... or at least its right to adopt it.

Jenner explained herself during a Tuesday segment on CNN ... saying "I am for a woman's right to choose" but "I am also for a state having the ability to make their own laws. So I support Texas in that decision. That's their decision."

When CNN anchor Brianna Keilar pressed her once again ... Jenner said, "Now, do I agree with the decision or not? No. To be honest with you, I actually probably do not agree with the decision."

Jenner, who is trying to become Governor of California, also noted that while she supports Texas' legislative decision she doesn't see the Golden State's laws changing in the future when it comes to a woman's right to choose.

As we reported ... Texas' new law, which went into effect September 1, pretty much outlaws abortion after the first 6 weeks of pregnancy. Critics of the so-called "heartbeat bill" wanted the Supreme Court to step in but they refused to hear the case ... in effect, killing Roe vs. Wade in Texas.

Sarah Silverman is among the bill's harshest critics ... saying it's an attack on the poor.

7/4/21
ATTACKING THE POOR
TMZ.com

The new law, BTW, puts a bounty on the heads of anyone who assists a woman in getting an abortion after 6 weeks. Those who assist can be sued by anybody in the country for $10k plus attorney's fees.

Monica Lewinsky Bill Clinton Should Want to Apologize ... But I Don't Need It

I'M GRATEFUL
NBC

Monica Lewinsky says it's taken her a long time to get past her scandal with Bill Clinton, and while she's no longer harboring resentment ... she implies the former Prez still owes her an apology.

Lewinsky's story is set to take center stage again with the Tuesday night premiere of "American Crime Story: Impeachment," so she's understandably nervous ... but says she's also proud of the project because she worked as a producer on it.

It seems like the mini-series, airing on FX, will focus on telling Monica's side of the notorious American tale, and she provided a hint of what to expect when "Today" host Savannah Guthrie asked Monica if she has a message for Clinton

Monica says Bill should want to apologize for his actions, but watch ... she strongly insinuates he never has offered her one. The good news for Monica is she says she no longer needs it.

Lewinksy's main point is she's thankful she made it through the traumatic public shaming ... and now she wants to give hope to anyone else in her shoes.

High School Homophobia Pride Flag Ripped from Student, Trashed ... Attacker Facing Charges

A high school student draped in a Pride flag had it violently ripped from him and thrown in the trash by one of his peers ... who's facing charges for his seemingly homophobic attack.

Video of the disgusting incident comes from Lowndes High School in Valdosta, GA, where a male student in a black shirt was filmed running up to the student with the rainbow flag and taking it from him ... knocking him down in the process.

One of the student's friends tries to ward off the attacker, but he pulls the flag away and forcefully shoves it in the trash before the video cuts off.

According to Lowndes County Sheriff, Ashley Paulk, a juvenile has been charged in the incident. The charges include disorderly conduct, simple battery and disruption of a public facility.

The school's assistant principal, Rodney Green, says, "We take the well-being and safety of our students seriously. Our staff works hard to provide a safe environment where all of our students feel valued."

Green adds that as soon as the administration became aware of the Pride flag incident ... "the matter was investigated, they ensured that the victim was not hurt and addressed the other student following the appropriate consequence outlined in the Student Code of Conduct."

Bad Wolves Call Ex-Frontman Tommy Vext 'Abusive' Claim He's a Saboteur

Bad Wolves are firing back at their former frontman, Tommy Vext, over their bad blood ... claiming he was "abusive" and is still trying to take them down.

The heavy metal band says they've mostly stayed quiet as they've witnessed Vext's "never ending temper tantrums on social media, filled with fraudulent claims and sad attempts to defame members of our band and our team" ... but now they're calling him out.

According to the band ... Tommy was emotionally and physically abusive before he quit, and continues to demonstrate that behavior in an attempt to diminish the other group members' contributions and steal the credit for success.

Among some examples ... Bad Wolves claim 10 of the 13 songs on their 2018 album "Disobey" were musically written and recorded before Tommy joined the band, that he falsely claimed to be the mastermind behind the track "Killing Me Slowly," and he illegally leaked a music video after quitting.

Of course, all of this comes in wake of Vext suing Bad Wolves' manager, Allen Kovac, claiming he was ousted by Kovac due to his political stances and support for Donald Trump ... in an alleged scheme to steal the band from him.

Kovac, who's also the CEO of Better Noise Music, denied the claims and countersued Vext for copyright infringement.

In other band news ... Bad Wolves say they are releasing their third album, sans Vext, in late October with a new singer, and the first single releases this week.

NYT Catches Heat for Headline Biden Grieves Son, Beau, Too Much???

President Biden brings up his late son, Beau, way too much for comfort, and it might be a political mistake -- so suggests the NYT, which had to tweak a headline over this.

The paper of record published a story Saturday that's all about how some people are seriously tired of Biden invoking Beau in seemingly any context ... and citing his grief over his boy's death as a way to connect to the topic at hand. Lately, that's been Afghanistan.

The Times' OG headline for this story read, "Biden, Still Grieving His Son, Finds That Not Everyone Wants to Hear About It" -- which caught TONS of backlash, and was changed. Now, it says, "In Invoking Beau, Biden Broaches a Loss That’s Guided His Presidency."

The NYT reports some Biden advisers acknowledge that, yeah, JB does name-drop Beau a lot ... and doesn't always tweak his approach based on his audience, which might be smart in certain situations -- as Biden's gotten criticism over this of late ... including from one Gold Star father, whose own kid recently got killed in Afghanistan during the chaotic pull-out.

Mark Schmitz told WaPo that during a dignified transfer last week for the 13 Marines killed during a bombing in Kabul -- for which Biden was present -- the Prez apparently steered a private convo they had to his own son, which Schmitz found inappropriate ... seeing how they were there to remember the recently fallen. Not just that, but many point out Beau wasn't killed in combat ... he died of brain cancer, after serving as a military lawyer in Iraq.

With all that said, that first headline is pretty harsh ... and fairly insensitive. Many online say Biden should be allowed to grieve however the hell he wants -- and the Times seems to have taken notice, 'cause they changed how they phrased it. Still, the sentiment remains.

8/31/21
REMEMBERING BEAU
White House

On the flip side ... there are other families who've lost children to tragedy -- and have gotten face time with Joe after the fact -- who've said they appreciate Biden connecting with them on a personal level by talking Beau, humanizing him. So, it's a mixed bag of reception here.

Biden often gets emotional when mentioning Beau ... and usually gets sympathy. But now that this has gotten scrutiny, the question is ... will he taper down the Beau references???

Sarah Silverman Texas Anti-Abortion Law ... Declares War on Poor People

7/4/21
ATTACKING THE POOR
TMZ.com

Sarah Silverman is not mincing words -- the Texas anti-abortion law is a declaration of war, but only certain women are targeted.

We got Sarah Saturday night in WeHo on her way out of Craig's, and she was blunt ... the law which effectively outlaws most abortions is a war on poor people. As she says, rich women have the means to leave the state and get an abortion elsewhere.

Sarah is not a fan of boycotts ... she says it only hurts people in the state who are themselves, victims. The real targets, she says, should be the politicians who enacted the law.

As you probably know by now, the Texas law pretty much outlaws abortion after the first 6 weeks of pregnancy. There are no exceptions for rape or incest. And, the law puts a bounty on the heads of anyone who assists a woman in getting an abortion after 6 weeks. Anybody in the country can sue people who assist for $10k plus attorney's fees.

The U.S. Supreme Court refused to even hear the case before the law took effect Sept. 1st.  In effect, Roe vs. Wade is dead in Texas, at least for now, and SCOTUS has signaled Roe may be history next term when it passes judgment on a Mississippi law that poses a square challenge to the Constitutional right to an abortion.

Angelina Jolie Brad Continuing to Work W/ Weinstein It Hurt & We Fought Over It

UPDATE

6:10 PM PT -- Weinstein, through his assistant, tells TMZ ... "It's very clear to me that this is for more sales on Angie's BOOK. THERE WAS NEVER an assault, and NEVER an attempt to assault." HW adds, "It is brazenly untrue and clickbait publicity. You're Angelina Jolie, every male and female in the world, I'm sure, shows interest in you. Is the whole world assaulting you?"

UPDATE

3:12 PM PT -- Sources close to Brad tell TMZ ... he never "teamed up" with Weinstein for "Inglourious Basterds" -- he was simply part of a movie that Tarantino directed, which happened to get distributed by TWC.

Angelina Jolie says Brad Pitt's continuing to associate himself with Harvey Weinstein during their marriage led to some bad blood between the couple ... adding it was painful.

The actress spilled the beans to The Guardian, saying "it hurt" when her then-hubby kept partnering with Weinstein and/or his production company -- be it in distribution deals or any other capacity ... 'cause Angie notes he knew how she felt about the disgraced movie mogul.

AJ says her hatred of Weinstein first surfaced back when she first worked with him for the '98 flick "Playing by Heart," during which time she claims she "escaped" an alleged attempt of his to get her alone in a room ... something she now characterizes as an assault itself.

She goes on to say that she warned others about Weinstein after that, and even told her first husband, Jonny Lee Miller, to spread the word to other guys as a warning. Angelina also says she turned down a role in "The Aviator" just to avoid having to work with the guy again.

And yet, she points out that Brad continued to rub shoulders with Weinstein in the 2000s -- teaming up, indirectly, to put out "Inglourious Basterds" -- which The Weinstein Company helped release. Not just that, but she claims Brad went against her wishes in approaching HW to help make his 2012 movie, "Killing Them Softly," which TWC distributed as well.

She says of that time, "We fought about it. Of course it hurt," while adding that she refused to plug the movie ... saying she didn't attend promotional events with Brad.

The interesting thing about this, of course, is that Brad is said to have confronted Harvey back when his then-girlfriend, Gwyneth Paltrow, was first working with the producer in the late '90s ... and allegedly got accosted by HW for sex -- something Brad apparently nipped in the bud after hearing about it from her in a face-to-face with the man himself. In a CNN interview, he said that's just how boys from the South dealt with things like that back then.

He didn't shy away from the heroics of that moment -- but it's crazy to hear Angie say, years after that, he was presumably OK working with that same guy ... even amid her objections.

Originally Published -- 12:24 PM PT

Drake Leaks Kanye Diss Song Ft. Andre 3000, Fans Actually Love It

UPDATE

2:33 PM PT -- Andre has responded to the leak and clarified why it wasn't part of the OG release, saying ... "A few weeks ago Kanye reached out about me being a part of the Donda album. I was inspired by his idea to make a musical tribute to his mom. It felt appropriate to me to support the Donda concept by referencing my own mother, who passed away in 2013. We both share that loss."

UPDATE

He adds of the fact he was 86'd, "I thought it was a beautiful choice to make a clean album but, unfortunately, I didn’t know that was the plan before I wrote and recorded my verse. It was clear to me that an edited ‘clean’ format of the verse would not work without having the raw, original also available. So, sadly, I had to be omitted from the original album release."

Drake appears to have leaked an unreleased Kanye West "Donda" track that didn't make the cut, which actually takes shots at the former ... a bizarre move that seems to have backfired.

Drizzy was guest hosting a session of Sound 42 on Sirius XM early Saturday morning -- which plays a ton of OVO-affiliated tunes ... and which Drake announced he'd be hopping on around 2 AM to mix in a few of his own selected tracks for listeners. He wasn't shy about it.

Sure enough, he did it ... but folks noticed that during his time, Drake actually dropped a Ye song that hadn't been heard before -- and which sounded like it was a missing "Donda" cut.

It's called "Life of the Party," and it features Andre 3000 -- who raps about his own late mother over a melancholy soul beat, killing his verse and kinda the whole song in the process. People are saying it's the best "Donda" song ... and wondering why it wasn't included.

Meanwhile, Kanye jumps on after for a couple verses, and takes some direct shots at Drake.

KW raps, "I put Virgil and Drake on the same text // And it wasn't about the matching Arc'teryx or Kid Cudi dress // Just told these grown men stop with the funny s***."

He goes on to name drop Drake again in the same verse, saying he told him to stop playing with him -- and then saying Drake "sent that message to everybody." It's unclear what exactly Ye's talking about -- he might be alluding the group text he sent, but that was Kanye who sent that warning shot ... not Drake. In any case, just more fuel to the fire for their beef.

It also seems like Kanye might be having problems with Cudi too -- because he name-dropped him as well ... and suggested that Drake and KC wear matching dresses. Funny enough Cudi is featured on both of these guys' albums -- just like Jay-Z and other rappers.

There's more that Kanye touches on in his part of the song -- including avoiding the over-sexualization of children in his household (an issue that's been addressed with North before) ... and he even makes a "red hat" mention toward the end. This onion's got unlimited layers.

Originally Published -- 10:57 AM PT

Bette Midler Ladies, It's Time to (Sex) Strike!!! To Protest TX Abortion Law

Bette Midler has a solution to get Texas legislators to reverse course on their anti-abortion law -- just stop banging them ... as in, women should.

The actress tweeted out her thoughts for the proposed plan earlier this week, writing, "I suggest that all women refuse to have sex with men until they are guaranteed the right to choose by Congress."

In other words, a sex strike -- which is so simple (yet effective) that it might actually work! At least, that seems to be the consensus online ... folks are giving Bette props for coming up with such a devious plot, and some even be down to get started right away.

On the other hand, there are some who are pointing out some flaws in her logic here ... for a variety of reasons. For one, liberal women not doing it with dudes -- presumably conservative ones who might support the law -- is probably already happening anyway.

More importantly, as one Twitter user aptly noted, it's counterintuitive to withhold something like that just to get a point across ... because, yes, women like sex too. Who knew?!?

Of course, BM was probably half-joking with the sex suggestion -- but one thing she's definitely not kidding around with is how serious this issue is for her ... and millions of other ladies. Her follow-up tweets since then reflect as much -- she's very outspoken on it all.

She wrote this just yesterday, "This isn't about guns, speech, money or war. It's about women, their lives, their bodies and their autonomy. That's what allowed the court to do shoddy work, with careless disregard, because who's going to stop it?"

Bette goes on to say this law was passed in the dead of night because they figured no one would stop it and "because they genuinely believe that they're only women, and they deserve what they get."

David Spade I Keep My Comedy Super Bland Now ... 'Cause of Cancel Culture

THE PAST IS THE PAST
TMZ.com

David Spade says his stage name might as well be Marlon Blando ... because he keeps his standup comedy super vanilla for fear of the cancel culture mob.

We got David at LAX and our photog asked him about Mike Richards' downfall at "Jeopardy!" ... and if David stays awake at night worrying about jokes he told back in the day.

David says he does indeed worry about his old standup sets, crossing his fingers that his jokes don't unleash the mob.

The way David sees it ... audiences these days don't want comics shaking the tree, so he follows the playbook and plays it safe ... but he says there's collateral damage -- it's just not that funny anymore.

As for Mike, David says the whole thing just unraveled on him when he went from "Jeopardy!" executive producer to Alex Trebek replacement.

PERSONAL QUESTION
The Randumb Show

David says there's always someone looking to take people down when they move up the ladder, and everyone's got some dirt or skeletons in the closest if folks look hard enough.

It's a fascinating conversation ... and David tells us why he's a fan of edgy comedy.

Drake 'Certified Lover Boy' Drops ... Shots Fired at Kanye

Drake made good on his promise to drop his new album -- belated though it was -- and he smack-talked Kanye hard.

"Certified Lover Boy" was unveiled as promised -- at midnight -- 9 months after Drake had planned to release it.

Drizzy doesn't mention Ye by name, but no need to ... he's clearly throwing shade at him on the track, "7am On Bridle Path."

"Told you I'm aimin' straight for the head

Now they 'Amen' and 'Please'

I can give a f*** about who designing your sneakers and tees

Had somebody put you on a guilt and you play with my seed."

But, Drake wasn't done with Kanye ...

"Trust me, there's some s*** you really gotta come and see to believe

That's why your people not believers, they all leavin' ya

You know the fourth level of jealousy is called 'Media.'"

Kanye's manager told TMZ this week Ye would be listening closely to Drake's album for references to him, and if Drizzy crossed the line it would be war on.

Among those appearing on the album -- Jay-Z, Travis Scott, Lil Wayne, Young Thug, 21 Savage, Ty Dolla $ign, Kid Cudi, Rick Ross, Lil Baby and Project Pat.

The first cut on the album -- "Champagne Poetry" -- samples one of the Beatles' iconic songs, "Michelle." Drizzy appropriately gives John Lennon and Paul McCartney songwriting credit.

In all, there are 21 tracks, including a spoken-word cameo by Nicki Minaj on "Papi's Home."

And, there's this ... R. Kelly gets a credit fo composer and lyricist for the song, "TSU."

Drake was ultimately true to his word after dropping a cryptic clue in an ESPN promo ... that the album would drop Sept. 3.

Kanye's album did incredibly well during its first week of release, but Drake's the odds-on fav to top Billboard next week.

We shall see.

Kodak Black Threatened for Donating AC to Housing Project ... Olive Branch Extended

UPDATE

3:10 PM PT -- A rep for the Pompano Beach Housing Authority tells TMZ ... while Kodak's donation was "an extremely generous and admirable gesture," there were concerns about AC installations being done properly to meet safety guidelines.

UPDATE

Additionally, the Housing Authority insists all residents were already equipped with AC units, and says the cease-and-desist letter the rapper received addressed other issues too ... like allegedly unauthorized music vid shoots and large gatherings creating a public safety hazard.

UPDATE

The Housing Authority's extending an olive branch though, adding ... "We welcome the opportunity to collaborate with Mr. Black on his efforts to give back to the Pompano Beach community."

Kodak Black is living proof ... no good deed goes unpunished.

Kodak is now in the crosshairs of the Pompano Beach Authority, which seems to have all sorts of problems with Kodak donating air conditioning units in a housing project to help them beat the sweltering Florida heat.

JULY 2021
KODAK KOOL OFF
TMZ.com

Kodak personally delivered the AC units back in July, but we found out the Housing Authority fired off a cease and desist letter last month, which accused Kodak of entering the property twice, causing "disturbances." The Housing Authority claimed the rapper caused a disruption by shooting a music video on the property and playing loud music. And, get this ... the H.A. railed on him for daring to install air conditioning in the units.

The Housing Authority said, "Your actions have adversely impacted the Property's residents' right to peacefully enjoy the property."

Kodak's lawyer, Bradford Cohen, begs to differ, firing off a letter to the Housing Authority and saying it was sad and shameful they "wish to stop the assistance to the elderly and underprivileged during a heat wave and 2 year pandemic."

Cohen says Kodak did NOT film any music videos ... there was just some background music that was not loud at all.

Dog the Bounty Hunter Pastor Rebukes His N-Word 'Pass' ... But Defends His Character

Dog the Bounty Hunter's been educated about his inappropriate use of the n-word and now knows he doesn't have a pass to use it ... so says his former pastor, Tim Storey, who still believes Dog means well and has a good heart.

Storey -- who is Black, and is now an acclaimed author, speaker and life coach -- tells TMZ he's still very close to Dog after 20 years, so he called him following Dog's controversial interview with ET's Kevin Frazier ... and told him his comments were "not wise."

Tim says he explained to Dog that he does NOT have a pass to say the n-word regardless of what he thought in the past or what he told Frazier ... and Dog conceded his point and agrees.

According to Storey ... Dog is not a racist, but he sometimes doesn't think through everything he says. The former pastor insists Dog has a good heart, is willing to grow and learn from mistakes and has always treated him and his family with nothing but love and respect.

Tim also claims he's never personally heard Dog say the n-word other than his infamous, racial-slur-loaded rant that was leaked back in 2007 ... and doesn't think he should be canceled for that stain from his past.

WE SHOULD BE THERE
TMZ.com

As we've reported, the 2007 leaked phone call between Dog and his son got him canceled at A&E, and seems to be a bone of contention between his daughters, Bonnie and Cecily, and him. TMZ broke the story ... they were not invited to his wedding that went down Thursday.

Storey, on the other hand, tells us he did get an invite -- he actually officiated Dog's wedding to Beth Chapman in 2006 -- but didn't attend due to a scheduling conflict.

Mike Tyson Settles Paul Vs. Woodley Debate ... Jake Won!!!

HE DESERVED THE 'W'
TMZSports.com

No, Tyron Woodley did NOT get screwed over by the judges on Sunday ... so says Mike Tyson, who tells TMZ Sports Jake Paul was the clear winner of the epic boxing match.

The split decision in favor of the YouTube superstar was met with serious backlash on social media ... with folks from Claressa Shields to Ben Askren to Tyron himself saying he should have had his hand raised after 8 rounds.

Waiting for your permission to load the Instagram Media.

So, in order to settle the debate once and for all, we caught up with Iron Mike at the Four Seasons in New York and asked for his take ... and there's no doubt in his mind who won.

"Jake Paul won," Tyson told us ... adding, "I love Jake Paul. Tyron Woodley did his best."

Now, Woodley wants to get a rematch with Paul to prove he can really whoop his ass ... but Jake may not let it happen if Tyron doesn't agree to get the "I Love Jake Paul" tat.

A lot has gone down since Tyron lost -- Jake retired and later unretired -- but it sounds like we haven't heard the last of Woodley in the ring.

Teen YouTuber Piper Rockelle P!nk Hurt Me ... And Smeared My Mom!!!

HURTFUL COMMENTS
BACKGRID

Piper Rockelle says P!nk's comments about her and allegations of exploitation not only hurt her feelings, but unfairly painted her mom as some kinda monster.

The 14-year-old YouTube star already denied P!nk's claims, telling TMZ her parents -- specifically her mother -- are not sexually exploiting her, as the singer claimed. But, Piper's now revealing P!nk's scorching social media post really affected her emotionally.

According to Piper ... when the bikini photos P!nk called into question were taken, Piper had COVID so she was at home hanging in her pool a lot, and SHE wanted to take the pics to show off her favorite bathing suit.

She adds that a lot of kids her age do that, and she doesn't seen any harm in it at all.

Waiting for your permission to load the Instagram Media.

Piper goes on to defend her Mom against P!nk's accusations, calling the singer's statement "100 percent not true." She says her mom's always making sure she's happy and wants to keep doing what she's doing.

P!nk has yet to publicly follow up on her tweet -- or respond to Piper calling her out -- but maybe now she'll have more to say.

Texas Anti-Abortion Law SCOTUS Punts ... Roe vs. Wade Appears Doomed

The Supreme Court has all but said Roe vs. Wade is history, but not without a few justices railing on the majority for grossly abdicating its responsibility.

The justices -- by a 5 to 4 margin -- refused to hear a challenge to the Texas anti-abortion law, which essentially makes it illegal for abortions to be performed after the 6th week of pregnancy. And, there's no exception for rape or incest. And, anyone in the United States can sue anyone who facilitates an abortion after the 6th week and collect $10k.

The justices who formed the majority were predicable ... Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito and the 3 Trump appointees -- Kavanaugh, Gorsuch and Barrett. Trump said he was picking justices who would overturn Roe, and his picks were true to form.

The majority said the case was just too complex for a quick ruling ... presenting novel issues. The fact is ... the Texas law is squarely, undeniably at odds with Roe vs. Wade. The justices hung their hats on the enforcement mechanism -- that private citizens and not the State itself was responsible for enforcing the law. But the reality is ... the ground rules for an abortion in Texas fly in the face of Roe. Nevertheless, the justices chose to punt.

The dissents were blistering. Justice Sonia Sotomayor said the decision was "stunning," adding the majority chose to "bury their heads in the sand." She calls the law "clearly unconstitutional.

Sotomayor said, "In effect, the Texas Legislature has deputized the State's citizens as bounty hunters, offering them cash prizes for civilly prosecuting their neighbors' medical procedures."

This non-decision clearly sets the stage for the big showdown next term, when a Mississippi anti-abortion law squarely challenges Roe vs. Wade. It seems the Supreme Court's view of the Texas law is a precursor to squarely overturning Roe.

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