Controversial S#!T

Marco Rubio doesn't need convincing Vladimir Putin kills his opponents ... he says it's obvious.

We got the Senator from Florida in D.C. Tuesday to get his take on Putin straight-up getting asked by FOX News host Chris Wallace why so many of his political rivals end up dead.

You'll recall Putin answered by calling out the U.S. for the assassinations of JFK and MLK. Rubio ain't buying the answer because there's a fundamental difference in those murders.

The Secret Service better seriously check that soccer ball Vladimir Putin gave Donald Trump at their summit, because security experts tell us there's a simple way of putting a bugging device inside that is difficult to detect.

As you know, Trump threw the ball to Melania during the summit and announced it was going to their son, Barron, who's into soccer.

We did some checking, and there are thin devices that can be stitched inside the ball with a power source that could last around 1 month or longer. Furthermore, we're told it's possible for a bug to be nonmetallic, which makes it harder to detect. And, any spy worth his or her salt would know ... you don't activate the bug right away, which would make detection much more difficult.

Obviously, there would be cause to thoroughly scan the ball for any signal, but in Trump's world he's been extremely trusting of the Russians ... even inviting Russian media into the Oval.

It's important to note Trump treasures sports memorabilia -- his office in Trump Tower is littered with balls, bats, golf clubs, football helmets and a lot more he's collected from pro athletes over the years. Barron lives with his parents in the residence quarter of The White House. So, if the ball is out in the open ...

Tyga might not be the first person who comes to mind for settling hot-button racial debates, but in the case of Wiz Khalifa's controversial new song, the rapper's opinion matters ... and he sides with Wiz.

We got Tyga -- who's of Vietnamese descent -- leaving Il Pastaio in Bev Hills Tuesday, and asked if he felt Wiz should apologize for the lyric in his new track, "Hot Now," that's pissing a lot of people off ... "Smoke got my eyes lookin' Korean."

Tyga tells us -- as an Asian himself -- he doesn't see anything wrong with it. Not sure if everyone will agree, but it certainly gives Khalifa some validation.

Anthony Joshua tells TMZ Sports he's not planning on losing his upcoming bout against Alexander Povetkin -- but even if he did, it wouldn't affect his plans for a SUPERFIGHT with Deontay Wilder.

Joshua was in NY to promote DAZN -- which streams sporting events including his Sept. 22 clash with Povetkin, a fight many people believe could be a trap for the undefeated heavyweight champ.

Of course, Joshua vs. Wilder would be the biggest fight in the sport -- but, a loss on AJ's record could kill the hype ... and make the fight MUCH less lucrative.

But, AJ's not worried ... explaining, "I'm not focusing on losing but if I did, that fight is still big because people know what I'm about. They know I'm a worthy challenger."

He added, "The athletes make the superfight. Me and Wilder are big punchers, we can both fight."

As for Povetkin ... Joshua says he's planning on destroying him in as brutal of a way as possible ... especially coming off the heels of a widely panned (and boring) fight against Joseph Parker.

What President Trump said publicly with Vladimir Putin standing next to him was so shocking it begs the question -- what kinda dirt does Putin have on Trump? That's what Rep. Ted Lieu wants to know.

We got the California Congressman on Capitol Hill Tuesday and he thinks what happened is obvious ... when Trump sold out the U.S. intelligence community by siding with Putin.

Wiz Khalifa doesn't feel like he has to apologize if Koreans are offended with his new song, and his reasoning is basically the ole, "I have black friends" ... except, y'know.

The rapper was on "The Breakfast Club" Tuesday, when Charlamagne tha God asked if he had any response to criticism he's getting over his new song, "Hot Now." Specifically, the lyric "Smoke got my eyes lookin' Korean" ... is pissing off some people.

Wiz said he's already gotten a pass on that lyric, plus he "loves Asians" ... so it's all good.

Wiz added that his music is open to interpretation ... and he's cool with it if some people get angry. While he's at it, he points out there are a few other groups that should be ticked off about "Hot Now."

Amar'e Stoudemire says when the NBA season kicks off in the fall ... he WILL be on an NBA roster -- telling TMZ Sports he's already been in contact with "a few teams."

We broke the story ... the 35-year-old Stoudemire is gunnin' for an NBA comeback -- and he's using Ice Cube's new hoops league, the BIG3, to catch general managers' attention.

"I think now being back with the BIG3, they can see I still got it," Stoudemire says.

There's more ... Amar'e tells us he ain't the only one on his team who's making a serious run toward an NBA roster in 2018!!

Christian Slater's throwing a jab at President Trump for the summit with Vladimir Putin, but not for his words ... this one's all about spending $300k on the summit.

We got the "Mr. Robot" star in D.C. Tuesday and he quickly shared his thoughts on the story we broke -- the administration's six-figure tab at the Helsinki summit. For the record, the full amount was $302,124.62.

Hulk Hogan. Ultimate Warrior. The chick from 'Backdoor Teen Mom.'

Yes, Farrah Abraham has dreams of becoming a professional wrestler -- and tells TMZ Sports she's got her sights set on squaring off with some of the biggest names in WWE.

FYI, the former MTV star recently inked a deal with World Class Revolution Pro Wrestling -- but, it appears to be more of a promotional thing than an actual wrestling contract.

Still, when we saw Farrah at the Syndicate L.A. party at Jimmy Goldstein's home on Monday night ... she seemed excited about the possibility of throwing down at some point.

"I would probably choose Alexa Bliss or maybe the Bella Twins," Farrah said ... "I think those ladies are great."

She also claims to be a HUGE wrestling fan -- and says a match with Stone Cold Steve Austin or Hulk Hogan would be a dream come true.

Mark Wahlberg says he believes in Baker Mayfield -- so he placed a REAL bet on the Cleveland Browns to win 6 games in 2018.

Yeah, he's being serious.

Don't worry, he also made some less risky wagers -- betting on the Patriots and the Eagles to get back to the Super Bowl this season.

Wahlberg also bet on Ronda Rousey -- casting her in his new movie, "Mile 22" ... and he's super fired up about her role in the flick.

Mark raves about Ronda's performance and says she's more than just an action star -- she's a legit actress who nailed her dramatic scenes like a boss!!!

The movie -- which opens next month -- will be Ronda's most important Hollywood role yet. Of course, she starred in the "Entourage" movie ... but played herself.

Now, she's got a real shot to follow stars like The Rock ... and parlay action sports stardom into a real Hollywood career.

Taylor Hicks doubled down saying "American Idol" contestants knew who was getting eliminated because, as he put it, everybody talked ... never mind what Nigel Lythgoe says.

We got Taylor at LAX on Monday night and told him what Nigel, the 'AI' executive producer, said ... denying he gave Taylor -- or any contestant -- the heads-up on results at any time.

Arnold Schwarzenegger is slamming President Trump for sucking up to Vladimir Putin and selling out the U.S. intelligence community in front of the whole world.

Arnold called 45's joint news conference with the Russian Prez an embarrassment because he "stood there like a little wet noodle ... like a little fanboy."

POTUS is facing heavy criticism for publicly blaming "both" sides -- Russia AND the U.S. -- for election interference, and saying Mueller's probe is driving a wedge between the countries.

President Trump threw the U.S. under the bus by publicly taking Vladimir Putin's word that Russia didn't meddle in the 2016 election ... so says Massachusetts' U.S. senator.

We got Sen. Ed Markey Monday in D.C. and he said Trump's display in Helsinki makes it clear he's only looking out for himself in dealing with Putin. He defied U.S. intelligence info, and said he didn't see any reason why Russia would have meddled in our elections.

Markey says Monday's summit should have been confrontational, but instead turned into an embarrassing display of virtual ass-kissing.

Mark Henry says there's a divide among black wrestlers over the WWE's decision to accept Hulk Hogan back into the community ... just three years after he was caught on tape using the n-word.

"It's 50-50," Henry tells TMZ Sports. "I've talked to guys that were like, 'Man, the hell with him.'"

Don't count Mark on that side of the coin, however.

The ex-WWE world champ says he thinks Hulk's apologies over the incident have been sincere ... and he believes Hogan's punishment and penance since the rant have been enough.

"I do feel like he genuinely wants to clear his name," the host of "Busted Open" radio tells us.

Nick Young thinks Patrick Beverley must've been on the sauce when he declared the Clippers to be the best team in the NBA ... asking TMZ Sports, "He was drunk that night or something?"

Remember, earlier this month, Beverley proudly told us he REALLY believes his new Clip squad is better than the Lakers and the Warriors ... and are real contenders to win the NBA title.

So, when we saw Swaggy -- who plays for the Warriors -- leaving Craig's in West Hollywood Sunday night ... we had to ask for his thoughts. His reaction says it all.

Presidents Trump and Putin got a thing going on ... a love thing, if ya buy into the satirical cartoon The New York Times just released, which is already stirring a ton of controversy.

"Trump and Putin: A Love Story" uses real soundbites from POTUS and puts them over images of the leaders on a date -- cruising in a car and riding a unicorn surrounded by rainbows and hearts.

Their rendezvous takes a TV-MA turn, though -- Trump tweaks Putin's nipples, they make out and, finally ... there's some intense tongue wrestling.

Some people think the whole thing is extremely homophobic, and others see it as hilarious.

So, we gotta ask ...