Controversial S#!T

The Red Sox should ABSOLUTELY take their championship trip to the White House ... so says ex-MLB star Brad Penny, who says the team needs to support Donald Trump regardless of their opinions of him.

It's up in the air whether Boston will make its post-World Series visit to 1600 Pennsylvania Ave ... especially after manager Alex Cora publicly criticized the President in September.

But, Penny says it would be a huge mistake to not go ... telling TMZ Sports the team should be there.

"You gotta go," the ex-star pitcher says ... "You support the President whether you voted for him or not ... I think they just gotta go."

Penny knows a thing or two about those trips ... the 2-time All-Star went to George W. Bush's White House after his Marlins won it all back in 2003.

He says the trip was unforgettable ... and Red Sox players would regret not making it.

In fact -- Brad tells us he thinks Boston can send a strong message to those protesting Trump by going.

"All those protests and stuff, to me, we want everybody who's in office to do good ... I feel like a lot of people want Trump to fail and it's unfortunate."

Unclear whether Red Sox players will listen to Brad ... but we know at least one of their pitchers is on board.

Kelsey Grammer all but said there's no need to worry about a potentially catastrophic impact on climate change ... 'cause it's all BS.

We got the "Frasier" star leaving a party Saturday night in Brentwood, and wanted to get his take on President Trump holding out at the G-20 summit on signing a deal to tackle climate change.

Kelsey -- with some help from his wife, Kayte -- said climate change is just science's way of keeping everyone on their toes. Kayte was more adamant ... straight-up saying it's all a myth.

We also tell Kelsey about Trump not believing his own administration's report -- involving 13 federal agencies and more than 300 climate scientists -- that said brace for the worse if nothing's done about climate change.

Alec Baldwin must be feeling confident about the outcome of his attempted assault case in NYC ... 'cause he played it for laughs -- while playing President Trump -- on 'SNL.'

The opening skit was about Trump's anger over the Mueller probe and his ex-attorney Michael Cohen flipping. As Alec/Donald put it ... "God, I haven't been this upset since I flipped out over that parking space."

This was Alec's first appearance on the show since he got busted last month for trying to punch a guy who jacked his parking spot. Breaking character to poke fun at the case could be seen as a risky move.

Judges typically don't react well to that sort of thing -- however, the stakes ain't exactly high here. Alec's facing one count of attempted assault in the third degree, and one count of harassment in the second degree -- a misdemeanor and a ticket, basically.

Why not have some fun with it, right?

'SNL' also paid tribute to late President George H.W. Bush during the Weekend Update segment.

They pulled out some of Dana Carvey's best impressions of the 41st Prez -- including that memorable moment when they got the real Bush to challenge Carvey.

An OG castmember of "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" is firing back at critics who call the holiday classic "problematic" for the modern world.

Corinne Conley, who voiced the dolly for Sue in the 1964 TV special, tells TMZ she can't believe the outcry of criticism after more than 50 years of it being a beloved tradition for kids and their parents.

Critics came for 'Rudolph' this year, calling it out for sexism and bullying -- like the scene where Rudolph is forced to cover his red nose just to avoid all of the other reindeer laughing and calling him names.

Corinne, however, insists that any bullying or negative plot points are happily resolved by the end of the show. In fact, she contends if someone was a bully before watching, they'd learn a valuable lesson by the time the credits roll.

Bottom line for Corinne ... Rudolph should go down in history, and not just for pulling Santa's sleigh.

3:00 PM PT -- Tyson's responded to the multiple allegations -- with his personal account of each one -- in a long online post titled "On Being Accused." He says he welcomes and will fully cooperate with an impartial, independent investigation into the claims.

Tyson insists he didn't grope Allers, but simply searched under the covered part of the shoulder of her sleeveless dress to check out her tattoo. He says he found out she thought it was creepy 9 years later, and is "deeply sorry to have made her feel that way."

As for his former assistant, Tyson admits to clumsily telling her ... "If I hug you I might just want more," but claims the 2 had a genuine friendship and denies any sexual misconduct.

Neil ends his post by asking ... "I’m the accused, so why believe anything I say? Why believe me at all?"

"Cosmos" host and renowned astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson's employers are investigating multiple allegations of sexual misconduct involving co-workers and colleagues years ago.

FOX and National Geographic, which co-produce "Cosmos", say they are looking into the allegations which surfaced this week. Patheos published the claim from Bucknell University Professor Dr. Katelyn Allers that Tyson groped her in 2009.

She claims they met at the American Astronomical Society's conference in Long Beach, CA, and that Tyson took an interest in her solar system tattoo ... which starts on her arm and extends onto her back. She claims he grabbed her arm and followed the planets into her dress. She didn't describe it as an assault, but more like "creepy behavior."

One of Tyson's former assistants, Ashley Watson, told Patheos she eventually quit because he made multiple sexual advances, and made misogynistic comments around the workplace.

We've reached out to Tyson's office, but no word back yet.

The video of Kareem Hunt clearly attacking a woman is sparking a movement -- an angry, bitter outpouring of hatred ... toward TMZ.

Minutes after the Kansas City Chiefs made the decision to release Hunt ... we were flooded with emails calling us a**holes, pieces of s**t, blatant supporters of Tom Brady and many other not-so-pleasant things.

We pulled together some of the spicier responses here -- including one guy who broke up with his GF over the story.

For the record, TMZ Sports is covering Kareem Hunt because there's video of him -- a very famous NFL star -- striking a woman. A woman who went to police to report the assault. As we've reported, the case appears to be in limbo -- the Cleveland City Prosecutor is giving us a "no comment."

As for Hunt's on-field punishment? There'd been none until we published the video, and the Chiefs say he lied to them about the incident.

Point is ... the story's about something other than struggling fantasy football teams.

Former Mexican President Vicente Fox -- a notable Donald Trump critic -- isn't blasting the U.S. Prez as expected for last week's clash at the border, but as he says ... it's complicated.

We got Fox at the Reagan National Airport Friday and asked him about the border crisis, which he calls "terrible by all means." But he's not placing the blame squarely on one side ... saying Mexico could have done more to prevent it too.

He even reveals what he'd do differently if he was still running things in Mexico, and believes it would help all parties avoid more nasty incidents ... like tear gas being fired at migrants and their kids.

And, just because he doesn't rip POTUS in this case, don't put Vicente on the Trump Train ... because he's still got strong words about Donald's desired border wall.

Kareem Hunt's immediate release from the Kansas City Chiefs is the team's way of sending a STRONG message to all players ... according to ESPN's Cari Champion.

Cari was at the Ebony Power 100 event in Bev Hills Friday night, very shortly after the Chiefs reacted to the video TMZ Sports published ... showing Hunt shove, kick and throw a woman to the ground during a February incident in Cleveland.

She says the video forced the team's hand and they were "sending a message ... they're saying what's important to them and what they stand for."

The NFL has Hunt on its "exempt list" currently -- meaning he can't practice or play in a game right now, but he has not been banned or suspended. Point is ... he could land on another team eventually.

Cari believes everyone, even Hunt, deserves a second chance -- however, she said he needs to "start looking at the man in the mirror. You gotta do a Michael Jackson."

The Redskins blackballed Colin Kaepernick for political reasons -- and the Reuben Foster signing proves that -- so says ex-NFL exec Joe Banner.

Washington reportedly passed on Kap because of the worry of distractions he'd bring to the team ... but then signed Foster -- an LB accused of domestic violence -- just days later.

Banner -- a former Eagles president and Browns CEO -- says he doesn't see how that's logical ... and tells TMZ Sports it's clear the 'Skins didn't want Kap because of his political beliefs.

"It clearly means the Redskins are blackballing Colin, and I think they're doing it for political reasons," Joe says.

"The team happens to be run by two guys that have been very clear in their politics in Bruce Allen and Dan Snyder, and it's clearly not a good political fit."

Joe says that's crazy to him as a former NFL personnel exec ... saying if he were a current player on the 'Skins -- he'd be pretty ticked off.

"I just don't see how you can look at your team, who's been working here since last July and use that as an explanation to not try to be the best you can be at the moment."

Banner added of Colin, "Yeah, he'll bring some media focus on the team and so on and so forth, but small price to pay, especially since you've already indicated for the right situation you're willing to pay it."

Banner -- who was part of the Eagles team that brought in Michael Vick after his prison sentence -- says if he were still in a front office, Kaep would have a job on his squad.

As for Foster ... Joe couldn't say the same -- telling us the allegations against the LB are just "too egregious."

6:05 PM PT -- 50 just walked his words back a bit, saying, "I have no ill will towards anyone living on this Earth. The people Shaniquois son looks up to and associates with is a reflection of the negative energy he embraces towards me. I paid his mother $1,360,000 in support to afford him opportunities I never had. They just spent it, over the years I repeated get a job now they have to figure it out."

50 Cent's clearly not going for any "Father of the Year" awards ... by making it known he'd be just fine if his oldest son got injured, possibly even killed, by a bus.

Fif left the shockingly cruel comment on an Instagram pic of his 21-year-old son Marquise Jackson hanging out with the son of Supreme McGriff -- one of 50's rivals.

The rapper wrote ... "if both these little n****s got hit by a bus, I wouldn't have a bad day."

Damn.

The bad blood between father and son goes back several years, stemming from the bitter relationship between 50 and Marquise's mother, Shaniqua Tompkins, who sued the rapper for $50 mil. The suit was tossed in 2009.

Since then, Fiddy and Marquise have taken shots at each other publicly on social media and in their music ... and Marquise told us last year his dad's music sucks.

As for the hate for the other guy in the photo ... it presumably comes from 50 Cent's longstanding beef with his father, Kenneth "Supreme" McGriff. The 2 are archenemies, and Griff -- a former Ja Rule and Irv Gotti associate -- allegedly once plotted to kill 50. Supreme is currently serving a life sentence for murder conspiracy and drug trafficking.

4:12 PM PT -- Kanye has weighed in ... and for Jay and Ye fans, he's created some incredible hype. Kanye tweeted back at Jay-Z teasing the possibility of a follow-up to the duo's 2011 album "Watch The Throne."

Throne 2 🤷🏿‍♂️

Jay-Z's taking direct aim at President Trump with some new lyrics, and while a lot of people think he's also ripping Kanye West ... our sources say that's a huge misinterpretation.

The buzz is over Jay's verse on Meek Mill's new track, "What's Free" ... where he raps, "No red hat, don't Michael and Prince me and Ye. They separate you when you got Michael and Prince's DNA. I ain't one of these house n***as you bought."

As soon as the song dropped, many fans took the "red hat" line as a direct shot at Kanye ... who, of course, frequently rocks the MAGA cap. Sources involved in the song's production tell us, Jay was actually making a call back to the '80s and '90s rivalry between Michael Jackson and Prince, and yes ... taking a shot at Prez Trump.

His point ... just because Ye wears the red cap and I don't, doesn't mean you should pit us against each other ... the way people used to do with Prince and MJ.

Now, the "house n***as" line gets murky. We're told it's a jab at black people in politics who suck up to Trump ... think Ben Carson. However, one could make the argument Kanye's in that bucket too.

As for Meek's new album, "Championships" ... he had a huge release party Thursday night in NYC.

His label boss, Rick Ross, who is featured on "What's Free," was also there.

8:28 AM PT -- Joy and the rest of "The View" crew addressed Rock's statement on air. Behar took it with a smile and invited Rock to join "this bitch and these bitches" on the show and to have a beer together. Check it out.

Kid Rock went on FOX News on Friday to share a message with America -- love everybody ... except "that Joy Behar bitch."

The rock star was on "FOX & Friends" griping about how people are too politically correct these days ... and called for people to stop being so sensitive.

That's when Rock -- who bragged about being all "hopped up on coffee and Baileys" -- took the shot at the liberal host of "The View."

"I would say love everybody ... except I’d say screw that Joy Behar bitch. Everybody but that!"

The crowd behind Rock roared and cheered -- while Doocy immediately tried to cut Rock off and apologize.

"You cannot say that!" Doocy said ... to which Rock replied, "I mean 'Lady.'"

Afterward, Rock insisted he was "joking" -- and said he'd be open to sitting down with her and hashing out their differences sometime in the future.

Rock says the main point of his rant was to bring the country together -- and remind everyone that "we're all Americans."

So far, no response from Joy Behar -- but we're guessing she ain't gonna stay quiet long on this.

Deontay Wilder is being called out for hypocrisy by a heavyweight contender who loved Wilder's passionate rant about racism, but HATED the fact Wilder visited President Trump.

After Wilder told Tyson Fury that black people have been fighting in this country for 400 years -- he went off on a radio host who asked him to explain the comment.

Wilder exploded with a passionate rant about how black people have been oppressed and mistreated in the U.S. -- and he was offended that the radio host pushed him on the topic.

But, undefeated boxing star Jarrell "Big Baby" Miller has a problem with Wilder ... claiming he undermined his own message by meeting with President Trump back in May.

Wilder had visited Trump's White House with Sylvester Stallone and others as part of the group paying homage to Jack Johnson ... after President Trump pardoned the late boxer for a 1913 conviction many believe was racially motivated.

Miller -- a legit Top 5 heavyweight contender who's lined up to fight either Wilder or Anthony Joshua this year -- says Wilder got used by Trump to curry favor with African Americans ... and it's a stain on his public image.

"LeBron James, Steph Curry, a lot of other guys didn't want to go up to the White House because they knew what Trump was doing was just using black athletes as a shade to hopefully get black voters to get on his good side."

Miller sees this as Deontay talking out of both sides of his mouth and, although he loved Thursday's rant, he's got a message for Deontay when it comes to racial issues.

"We have to have the same energy all the time."

Josh Groban's famous song, "You Raise Me Up," has been dragged into a legal battle by an Icelandic singer who says the hit was jacked from his original work.

The publishing company for Johann Helgason -- who touts himself as one of Iceland's most prolific singers/songwriters -- just filed a lawsuit against Universal Music Group, Warner Music and Spotify. According to the docs -- obtained by TMZ -- Helgason says he wrote "Soknudur" in 1977 which is allegedly hugely popular at Icelandic funerals.

Helgason claims at some point Norwegian musician Rolf Loveland went to Iceland and was mesmerized by "Soknudur" and penned his song called "You Raise Me Up" ... which he dropped in 2001.

Fast forward to 2003 -- when Groban released his massive hit -- selling 6 million copies in the U.S. alone.

Helgason doesn't name Groban as a defendant in the lawsuit -- but he calls the tune a blatant ripoff -- to his credit, it does sound VERY similar.

Evander Holyfield says Tenshin Nasukawa is in deep trouble -- because Floyd Mayweather is gonna "beat the daylights" out of the Japanese fighter when they box on New Year's Eve.

The Real Deal touched down Thursday night in Los Angeles -- where he'll be attending the big Deontay Wilder vs. Tyson Fury heavyweight title fight on Saturday at Staples Center.

Holyfield -- one of the greatest heavyweights of all time -- says he thinks Deontay could put Fury to sleep with that deadly right hand ... and he's excited for what could be one of the most action-packed events of the year.

As for Mayweather, Evander acknowledges that Tenshin's age -- he's only 20 years old -- could give him an edge during the 3-round exhibition fight ... but when it comes to doing it, Floyd's gonna put a hurtin' on him.

"You playing [Floyd's] game, so he's supposed to win," Evander told us ... "He's not gonna fight anybody that can beat him!"

Drake is highly offended by a music publishing company for allegedly using his image without his permission, but also for playing off a Jewish stereotype. The company's name is Hebrew Hustle.

Drake's been in legal battles with the publisher/management co. for years. Hebrew Hustle first sued him over a sample in his song, "Pound Cake/Paris Morton Music 2." Now, he's suing the co., claiming it used his name and image on its website ... leading the public to think they're working with him.

In new docs filed in that suit, Drake's lawyers call out the company over its name, saying, "The very name of Hebrew Hustle is offensive, as it perpetuates stereotypes regarding persons of Jewish heritage, such as [Drake]."

Drizzy's legal team says he would never have allowed the company to use his image due to its offensive name. According to the docs, obtained by TMZ, Drake wants damages for the "mental distress" and "humiliation" suffered from any perceived connection to Hebrew Hustle -- plus any money the company made from using his likeness.