Controversial S#!T

Hip-hop legend Kool G Rap was charged with jacking a pair of pricey shoes -- a charge that was later dropped -- and he's claiming it all happened for one reason -- he's black.

Kool G was ordered to appear in court back in June after he was accused by an employee at a PA Finish Line store of pilfering a pair of Nike LeBron 15's -- worth $185. The employee described the thief as an African-American male in his 40's.

The rapper -- who fits the description, was shopping at the mall that day, and was tracked down in the mall's parking lot by a Finish Line employee who wrote down KGR's vehicle's registration number and immediately contacted cops. KGR was hit with misdemeanor theft.

Here's where things got interesting, his lawyers -- Donte Mills and Lennon Edwards of Mills & Edwards LLP -- claim cops jumped the gun and never reviewed the store's surveillance video. Had they looked ... they would have realized KGR never stepped foot in the joint. His attorneys say cops were just on the hunt for a black man in his 40's and that was good enough for them.

Cops belatedly determined the employee who tracked down KGR in the parking lot never eyeballed him ... and that was enough for prosecutors to drop the case.

The person who threatened to shoot Lil Xan at his St. Louis concert -- forcing its cancellation -- made his intentions well known in a disturbing video he posted on social media.

The guy who made the threat is a so-called rapper in St. Louis who earlier this week posted a clip spraying bullets into a lake and calling out Xan. He captioned the video, "Lil Xan said he wants a fade with me. I'M COMING TO YO OWN SHOW TO SMACK TF OUT OF YOU TOMORROW OCT 10 AT @thepageantstl."

On the day of the concert, the same guy posted a picture while holding what looks like 3 AK-47s with the caption, "hi Lil Xan see ya later at your show." TMZ broke the story ... The Pageant (where the concert was to be held) and promoters canceled the show after the images surfaced. It appears Xan has beef with the guy in the video over money owed.

We reached out to the St. Louis PD who tells us they're not investigating the threats because no one from the venue has made a report about the incident.

A rep for Lil Xan tells TMZ, "It is our top priority, including the promoters and venue to ensure safety at every show. This was an old situation that has been taken care of internally. There is no reason to fear safety at any of Lil Xan's shows moving forward."

Lindsey Graham is going high in response to Chelsea Handler going low ... after she claimed to out him on Twitter.

We got the Senator from South Carolina Friday at Reagan National Airport, and asked him about Handler's #NationalComingOutDay tweet. Instead of blasting her -- as many others have -- Graham insisted Chelsea had every right to say whatever she wants. As he put it ... it's a free country.

Graham did tell us, "To the extent that it matters, I'm not gay" -- but it was definitely a measured response.

Some of the backlash against Chelsea -- who's no fan of Prez Trump or Sen. Graham's support of Brett Kavanaugh -- has been that she's stooped to using homophobia to attack him.

Graham gave us his own take on belittling people for the sake of comedy.

BTW ... it's not the first time Chelsea's directed a homophobic tweet at Graham. She did it back in January asking, "@LindseyGrahamSC what kind of d*** sucking video do they have on you for you 2 be acting like this? Wouldn't coming out be more honorable?"

Robert Klein ain't cracking jokes when it comes to Donald Trump -- he came unhinged, ranting about the President's numerous scandals ... then came face-to-face with some vocal Trump supporters.

The scene was unreal Thursday night outside Craig's in WeHo -- the legendary comedian went OFF when we asked about Trump's meeting with Kanye West. He quickly pivoted the convo away from Ye and launched into a tirade about Paul Manafort, Russia and Stormy Daniels ... the whole nine.

Perfect timing for a couple of Trump fans to approach! Warning: Robert's super salty here and drops so many f-bombs, DMX might blush.

He's making zero effort to hide it ... Robert's definitely longing for the days of Barack Obama.

The bad news for him is ... we all know Obama's not coming back. Just ain't gonna happen, Bob.

Melania Trump brushes off allegations that her husband, Donald Trump, has had affairs with women ... saying it's just gossip orchestrated by the media.

The First Lady sat for an interview -- her first solo interview since taking up residence in the White House -- with ABC News. She dismissed claims, notably by Stormy Daniels and Karen McDougal, that the Prez has strayed during their marriage.

Melania says, "I'm a mother and a First Lady, and I have much more important things to think about and to do."

She added, "It is not concern and focus of mine."

Melania also said there are people currently in the White House she doesn't trust and who do not have her husband's best interests in mind.

The full interview airs Friday night at 10 PM ET.

Khabib Nurmagomedov rubbed elbows with another powerful political figure Thursday night -- Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov ... a man who's been accused of some pretty horrible stuff.

The two hung out at a Russian MMA gym -- described as a fight club -- where they posed for pics, ate some food and celebrated Khabib's victory over Conor McGregor at UFC 229.

Khabib commented about the meeting saying, "Thank you very much to Ramzan and all brotherly Chechnya."

"The way I am grateful to your support in words not to describe and praise to god who made us all brothers through our religion. And thank you very much for such a generous gift and most importantly respect shown to me."

Kadyrov is a HUGE fan of combat sports -- and recently kicked it with Floyd Mayweather.

This issue surrounding Kadyrov ... dude has a very controversial past -- littered with accusations of human rights violations from kidnapping to torture and murder. He's denied all wrongdoing.

But, what's undeniable ... Kadyrov says he doesn't want gay people in his country and has said on the record he'd ship them all to Canada if he could.

The U.S. State Dept. issued a warning in April 2017 saying it was "increasingly concerned" about the anti-LGBT movement in Chechnya -- after "numerous credible reports" indicating gay people were being detained, tortured and even killed based on their sexual orientation.

Kadyrov's father was appointed to lead Chechnya in 2000 by Vladimir Putin. And, when his dad died, Putin tapped Ramzan to take his place in 2007.

Of course, Khabib just met with Putin earlier this week.

T.I. has a fascinating take on Kanye's Oval meeting with Donald Trump ... saying some of what Ye advocated is awesome, but the most important message got lost -- that Trump has total disregard for people of color.

We got the rapper and wife Tiny Thursday night in WeHo leaving Craig's and he told our guy if he was in that meeting he would have led with Trump's attack on black people and other people of color. T.I. goes beyond that, because he's outraged how the Prez has separated innocent children from their parents in immigration raids.

It's interesting ... T.I. is measured and does not attack Kanye, saying some of what he advocated is noble, but he's clearly upset with the way the meeting went down.

T.I. revealed in a lengthy post why he declined Ye's invitation to that bizarre White House lunch meeting.

Lil Xan never made it onstage for a scheduled show in St. Louis because someone allegedly threatened to open fire if he went through with the gig.

Xan was supposed to perform Wednesday night at The Pageant, but sources close to the rapper tell TMZ ... the venue and promoters pulled the plug after someone posted a video threatening to spray the place with bullets.

We're told promoters saw the video a couple days before the concert, but waited until the day of to cancel. We're told they felt it was too risky and didn't feel comfortable moving forward.

Lil Xan did catch some flak over a video earlier this week of him arguing with a customer in an Indianapolis mall food court. Some fans were critical of the fact he used the n-word during the outburst.

It's unclear if that video had anything to with alleged threat at The Pageant.

St. Louis PD tells us they hadn't heard anything about the threatening video. We've reached out to the venue, but haven't heard back yet.

NBA Commish Adam Silver has obviously been following the drama between Jimmy Butler and the Minnesota Timberwolves ... and tells TMZ Sports, "They gotta work it out."

Butler requested a trade during the off-season -- and hasn't gotten it -- and went wild at practice this week in an apparent statement to the coaches, players, GM and owner.

In fact, Butler reportedly talked trash to the GM -- saying, "You f**king need me."

So, when we saw Silver leaving Michael's in NYC on Thursday -- we had to get his thoughts.

"I think that Jimmy is obviously a fantastic player. Timberwolves had a great season last year," Silver said.

"He's got 1 year left on his contract and I know Jimmy, that if they don't end up doing the right deal for him [to trade him away], he's gonna play hard and he's gonna stay this year."

Silver was adamant he won't have to step in and get involved at this point -- because it's a matter between the player and the team ... they can work it out themselves.

We also talked about LeBron James -- who Silver praises as the "hardest working player in the league" -- and we asked if he thinks LBJ going West to the Lakers is good for the league.

T.I. is destroying Kanye West for his White House visit, declaring he's taken ass-kissing President Trump to a disgusting new low.

Tip unloaded on Ye, saying ... "This s**t is next level,futuristic Sambo,Hopping Bob, Stephen off Django ass shit Ye!!!! From what I can gather... This is the most repulsive,disgraceful, Embarrassing act of desperation & auctioning off of one’s soul to gain power I’ve ever seen."

He's taking this very personally too ... revealing Kanye actually asked him to join him at the White House on Thursday, but T.I. says he rejected the offer, and he's damn glad he did. In a heated IG post he said, "You ass kissing and boot licking on a whole new level &I refuse to associate myself with something so vile,weak,& inconsiderate to the effect this has on the greater good of ALL OUR PEOPLE!!!!"

Remember, T.I. collabed with Kanye for the track "Ye vs. the People" -- but he's making it clear that won't happen again. "At one time it was a pleasure to work alongside you... now, I’m ashamed to have ever been associated with you."

Bottom line for Tip is he feels like Kanye is only looking out for himself -- putting himself in a position of power next to Trump. He included this plea -- "Don’t follow this puppet. Because as long as I’ve lived I’ve learned that it benefits a man nothing at all to gain the world,if to do so he must lose his soul. We just saw Mr.West’s Soul on auction."

2:02 PM PT -- 50 Cent's putting in his 2 cents, and while the image he posted might seem like a comical take on Kanye's White House visit ... his caption is clearly critical.

Fiddy included this faux quote from Ye -- "You make me feel like Superman, Obama said l was a idiot f**k these n***as lm wit you Master."

Lindsey Buckingham is done waiting for Fleetwood Mac to cough up money he says he's owed ... so the former lead guitarist for the group is suing his old bandmates for dropping him and, more importantly, not paying him.

In the suit, Lindsey says he and the rest of the legendary band signed a deal with Live Nation for a 60-show tour over 2 years and they were each going to make about $12-14 million.

As we reported, though, Lindsey was kicked out before the band started its North American tour. Remember, Mac classics like "Go Your Own Way" and "Don't Stop" are largely Lindsey jams ... with him singing the lead and playing lead guitar.

Lindsey's main issue with the band is financial. He tells TMZ ... "Over the last eight months, our many efforts to come to an agreement have unfortunately proved elusive. I’m looking forward to closure, and will always remain proud of all that we created, and what that legacy represents."

In the suit, he says "After 43 years of camaraderie and friendship, not a single member of the Band called [me] to break the news" of his firing. He also basically claims the Mac is nothing without him.

He says before he joined in 1975 they "had not achieved meaningful commercial success" -- and after he left, voluntarily, in 1987 they faltered, "falling from a stadium headliner to an opening act."

Lindsey is suing the band and each individual member for breach of contract and breach of fiduciary duty. Translation: You guys owe me money, and it's time to pay.

Joe Walsh doesn't have a peaceful, easy feeling about the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, because he says the induction process is unfair and way outta hand.

We got the Eagles' guitarist in NYC and he went off about the Hall being too political and bowing down to corporate sponsors. Joe got remarkably candid when he added ... most artists would change a lot about the whole process, starting with who gets inducted.

Joe, who was inducted with the Eagles in 1998, even said there are many artists already in the Hall who have no business being there. He also has a specific guitar great in mind who deserves to be in, but keeps getting denied.

Shout-out to Link Wray and, if you've never heard of him, Joe's got the song you need to hear.

Justice Brett Kavanaugh isn't letting his first week on the High Court throw him off his routine, not when it comes to charity, anyway.

The newly confirmed Supreme Court Justice slipped on a ball cap and rubber gloves to dish out meals to the homeless Wednesday in Washington, D.C.

Kavanaugh was working with Catholic Charities to help feed people in need.

Cynics might see this is as a blatant attempt at image repair after the nightmare of his confirmation hearing, but the truth is ... this appears to be a regular thing for him. The Justice was also seen serving up grub to the homeless back in July with the same organization.

Ex-boxing champ Victor Ortiz pled not guilty to 3 felony sexual assault charges Wednesday -- including forcible rape -- and then smiled on his way out of court.

The 31-year-old former "Dancing with the Stars" contestant appeared in a courtroom in Ventura County, CA wearing a tie and a black vest ... flanked by a team of lawyers.

As we previously reported, Ortiz -- who appeared in movies like 'Expendables 3' and "Southpaw" -- was arrested last month and charged with forcible rape, forcible oral copulation and forcible digital penetration for an alleged incident that went down in an Oxnard, CA home on March 19.

During Wednesday's hearing, the judge revoked Ortiz's probation stemming from a 2016 DUI case -- which means, in theory, he could be thrown in jail for that.

That matter will be addressed at a hearing in December -- when Ortiz is due back in court for his rape case.

Outside the courtroom Wednesday, Ortiz didn't say a single word to reporters -- but laughed and joked with his legal team as he walked to his car.

Arnold Schwarzenegger says he shouldn't have used the words "girlie man" to insult his political rivals -- saying, "In the long term, it's better to not say that."

The former California governor famously used the term at the 2004 Republican National Convention --saying, "And to those critics who are so pessimistic about our economy, I say, don't be economic girlie man!"

At the time, the comments were met with thunderous applause from politicians like Rudy Giuliani and Dick Cheney (both gave Arnold a standing ovation).

But now, Arnold tells Men's Health he wishes he didn't use the term -- but not because it's offensive to women or effeminate men ...

"I called them girlie men because they weren’t willing to take risks," Arnold said ... "They were afraid of everything."

"Politicians in general want to do little things so there’s no risk involved. But it was shortsighted. In the long term, it’s better to not say that, because you want to work with them."

In the 30th Anniversary Issue, Arnold also talked about his treatment of women before the #MeToo movement ... saying, "Looking back, I stepped over the line several times, and I was the first one to say sorry. I feel bad about it, and I apologize."

Back in 2003, several women came out and accused Arnold of sexual misconduct earlier in his Hollywood career ... claiming he would grope them against their will.

Arnold had said most of the allegations were untrue -- but fessed up to "behaving badly sometimes."

Fast forward to the new interview ... where Arnold explains, "When I became governor, I wanted to make sure that no one, including me, ever makes this mistake. That’s why we took sexual harassment courses, to have a clear understanding, from a legal point of view and also from a regular-behavior point of view, of what is accepted and what is not."

The death row inmate Kim Kardashian West pushed into the spotlight says he appreciates her support, but adds he desperately needs her to get him the one thing he needs to clear his name.

California prisoner Kevin Cooper's attorney, Norman Hile, tells TMZ ... Cooper is aware Kim tweeted about him a few days ago, putting his case front and center with her 60 million followers, but says he really just needs one person's attention -- CA Governor Jerry Brown.

Cooper needs Gov. Brown to order new advanced DNA testing ... a request that Brown's office is currently reviewing.

If you're unfamiliar with his story ... Cooper was convicted of 4 murders in the 1980s. He's maintained his innocence, and even suggested he was framed. A NYT op-ed on the case concluded the same thing.

Kim's tweet was a direct plea to Gov. Brown, and Hile says Cooper is hoping Kim's legion of fans follow up, research his case and then write to Brown. For his part, Cooper is going to write a thank-you letter to Kim.

Our Kim sources tell us she has no personal connection to Cooper, and she simply stumbled across an article about him a few months ago. What's also interesting ... her push on his behalf comes just ahead of Kanye West's Thursday meeting with President Trump.