Controversial S#!T

Skepta got accused of using antisemitic imagery as the cover art for his latest single -- and considering the title of the track ... an apology was more than warranted, which he gave.

The British rapper announced this new song he's set to release soon called 'Gas Me Up' ... and for the promo image, he featured a guy with a shaved head -- and the words "GAS ME UP." The man is surrounded by a bunch of other dudes who also have shaved heads.

Of course, this type of picture -- especially during this polarizing time in the world -- almost immediately got people thinking... is this some kind of statement on the Holocaust???

Certainly a fair thought, because frankly -- the wording and images combined aren't great.

Welp, Skepta has heard all the criticism ... and he completely owned the screwup, apologizing for offending anybody -- while in the same breath, explaining what he was going for here.

Skepta wrote, "I’ve been waiting to drop ‘Gas Me Up (Diligent)’ since teasing it April last year, worked hard getting the artwork right for my album rollout which is about my parents coming to the U.K. in the 80’s, Skinhead, Football culture and it has been taken offensively by many. I can promise you that was definitely not our plan so I have removed it and I vow to be more mindful going forward."

He posted more images he was considering as a "mood board" for this project, and it features other shaved-head men/boys ... which he says serves as inspiration -- noting it has nothing to do with the Holocaust, but more so British trends from the 20th century.

He finishes with this ... "I can honestly see how my single artwork without context can be deemed offensive, especially in a time like this but again that was not my intention,” Skepta said. “But after some thought I don’t feel like I could continue being the artist you all know and love if my art is policed, I have to quit if I can’t express my art as I see it. So to help with context here are some pictures from our mood board."

Skepta is known for political messaging in his music -- but this time around, he says the intention was misconstrued ... noting it has nothing to do with the war in the Middle East.

David Grusch está hablando acerca de las secuelas y la campaña de desprestigio que se ha erguido para desacreditar sus alegaciones en la histórica audiencia de julio de 2023 en nuestro especial de tres partes "TMZ Presenta: Revolución OVNI".

Grusch le dice al cineasta y periodista Jeremy Corbell que no se arrepiente de su testimonio en Washington DC, luego de afirmar que los EE.UU. poseía "restos biológicos no humanos" recuperados de naves estrelladas.

Le dice a Corbell que sus esfuerzos para obtener la verdad han sido lentos y constantes,  aunque ahora es parte de algunas acciones del Congreso detrás de las escenas.

Corbell dice que Grusch diciéndole al mundo que los ovnis son reales es un signo de los tiempos, porque el público en general está harto de que le mientan sobre su presencia en el planeta Tierra.

Puedes escuchar el relato completo de Grusch después del Congreso en la segunda parte de "TMZ Presenta: UFO Revolution", ya disponible en Tubi.

UFO whistleblower David Grusch is speaking out about the smear campaign used to discredit the allegations he made before Congress in his landmark July 2023 hearing ... part of our 3-part event, "TMZ Presents: UFO Revolution."

Grusch tells filmmaker and journalist Jeremy Corbell that despite pushback, he has no regrets over his testimony in D.C. ... where he claimed the U.S. military is holding 'non-human biologics' recovered from crashed crafts.

He says his efforts to get the truth out there have been slow and steady, telling Corbell Congress has been responding, behind the scenes, to some of the issues raised during his testimony.

Corbell says Grusch coming forward to tell the world UFOs are real is a sign of the times ... because the general public is sick of being lied to about their presence in U.S. airspace, and around the planet.

Kevin Hart is wishing his ex-wife and Katt Williams well as they prepare to hit the road together -- which is about the nicest thing he could say ... considering the team-up here.

We got the comedian out and about Tuesday in NYC, where we asked how he felt about the fact that Torrei Hart -- whom Kevin divorced in 2011 -- just announced the fact that she and Katt are going on a comedy tour together ... albeit, a really mini one.

ICYMI ... TH broke the news Monday on her IG, posting a pic with Katt and writing -- "#Charlotte #Orlando #Tampa, come see me live with my good friend @kattwilliams on the Dark Matters tour." The 3 dates they have lined up are January 27, Feb. 2 and Feb. 3.

It could certainly be taken as an icy move on Torrei's part ... y'know, 'cause of everything that Katt recently said about Kev on Shannon Sharpe's podcast -- including calling him a "plant" in the industry.

Kevin had already responded to what Katt said about a week ago -- suggesting KW get that hate out of his heart, while also indicating he wasn't sweating Katt's negative energy.

Ditto here in this interview with us ... Kev says he loves everyone, and wants all comedians to succeed -- even if it's his and his (maybe?) new foe. He also says he hopes this tour of theirs, specifically, goes great ... which, again, is pretty freaking surprising.

La hija de Coretta Scott King parece estar atacando a Jonathan Majors después de que el actor mencionara a la viuda del Dr. Martin Luther King en su primera entrevista desde que fue declarado culpable de agresión y acoso.

La Dra. Bernice King, hija menor de Coretta y MLK, parece haber arremetido contra Jonathan en una publicación en las redes sociales el martes, diciendo: "Mi madre no era un accesorio".

Recordemos que el juicio por agresión de Jonathan incluyó un audio de él diciéndole a su ex novia Grace Jabbari —la que fue condenado por agredir y acosar— que fuera más como Coretta y Michelle Obama mientras declaraba: "Soy un gran hombre".

Majors volvió a invocar el nombre de Coretta en una entrevista con ABC —que se emitió el lunes— para elogiar el apoyo inquebrantable de su novia Meagan Good durante el juicio.

Jonathan le dijo de Megan: "Ella es un ángel, me ha sostenido como una Coretta. Estoy tan bendecido de tenerla".

Ha habido una tonelada de reacciones en línea acerca de Jonathan usando el nombre de Coretta de nuevo, y mientras Bernice no lo está llamando por su nombre, parece bastante claro que es a él a quien se están refiriendo aquí.

Bernice dice que su madre "era una defensora de la paz antes de conocer a mi padre y fue fundamental para que él hablara en contra de la guerra de Vietnam" y añade: "Por favor, entiendan, mi mamá era una fuerza de la naturaleza".

Coretta Scott King's daughter appears to be taking a swipe at Jonathan Majors after the actor name-dropped Dr. Martin Luther King's widow in his first interview since being found guilty of assault and harassment.

Dr. Bernice King, Coretta and MLK's youngest daughter, seemingly slammed Jonathan in a social media post Tuesday, saying ... "My mother wasn't a prop."

Remember ... Jonathan's assault trial included audio of him telling his ex-girlfriend Grace Jabbari -- the one he was convicted of assaulting and harassing -- to be more like Coretta and Michelle Obama while declaring, "I'm a great man."

Majors again invoked Coretta's name in an interview with ABC -- which aired Monday -- in praise of girlfriend Meagan Good's unwavering support during the trial.

Jonathan said of Meagan ... "She's an angel ... she's held me down like a Coretta. I'm so blessed to have her."

There's been a ton of backlash online about Jonathan using Coretta's name again ... and while Bernice is not calling him out by name, it seems pretty clear he's who she's targeting here.

Bernice says her mother "was a peace advocate before she met my father and was instrumental in him speaking out against the Vietnam War" ... and adds, "Please understand…my mama was a force."

Matthew Stafford's wife, Kelly, is clapping back at a Lions fan who's trying to stop people from wearing her hubby's jersey at their upcoming playoff game ... calling the proposed plan "sad."

Detroit is hosting its first playoff game in 30 years against the Rams on Sunday ... which means Stafford will make his return to the Motor City with the intention of knocking his ex-team out of the postseason.

Normally, Stafford's Detroit jersey is one of the most popular ones at Ford Field -- even after he was traded to L.A. for Jared Goff before the 2021 season began.

But, one fan is trying to prevent that from happening this weekend ... appearing to say in a social media post this week that the blue and silver No. 9 threads could bring some bad juju to the home team.

"ANNOUNCEMENT," the fan wrote in the Instagram post. "Please don't wear a Lions-Stafford jersey to the game. This is not a time to be cute or funny."

"This is about business and putting the final nail in the SOL coffin. It ain't personal. Just business!"

It didn't take long for word of the planned ban to get around to Kelly Stafford, who slammed the idea in the comment section of the post.

“Well this is sad because it's the completely opposite of how we feel about this city," she wrote, "but Matthew has always been the bigger person and will continue to be that. Praying for an incredible game with zero injuries. ♥️"

The fan ended up responding ... writing back that the hate is only temporary.

"We love Matthew," the Detroit supporter said, "just not this week.😂"

Bill Clinton and CA Governor Gavin Newsom, spent last week at a swanky resort in Mexico ... not long after Bill was named in the docs regarding Jeffrey Epstein's infamous past.

Check out the pics, obtained by TMZ -- showing the former prez and the current Governor sitting enjoying their time at the Four Seasons Resort in Tamarindo, Mexico. As you can see, they were seated at the same table -- and seemed to be enjoying each other's company.

Eyewitnesses tell us Gavin joined Bill and his wife, Hillary Clinton, for dinner on Thursday ... sitting around the table for 3 hours, with everyone in great spirits. No word on the spirits of the beverage variety, though.

Bill and Hillary grabbed breakfast together the next day, too -- as part of their south-of-the-border getaway.

As we reported, Bill was named quite a bit in loads of docs unsealed last week -- including in a deposition given by Johanna Sjöberg, who claimed Epstein told her "Clinton likes them young," referring to girls.

Bill denied any knowledge of Epstein's crimes and has claimed to have never visited his infamous island in the U.S. Virgin Islands ... although he took trips in Epstein's private jet as part of humanitarian efforts with the Clinton Foundation.

It's interesting that Newsom's hanging out with BC here, especially during this newsworthy time. Of course, Bill was once our President -- and many believe GN has presidential aspirations as well ... so perhaps he's taking a tip or two from old Bubba.

Bill Clinton y el gobernador de California Gavin Newsom, estuvieron juntos en un elegante resort de México la semana pasada, no mucho después de que Bill fuera nombrado en los documentos sobre el infame pasado de Jeffrey Epstein.

Echa un vistazo a las fotos obtenidas por TMZ, que muestran al ex presidente y al actual gobernador sentados y disfrutando de su tiempo en el Four Seasons Resort en Tamarindo, México. Como se puede ver, estaban sentados en la misma mesa y parecían estar disfrutando de la compañía del otro.

Testigos presenciales nos dicen que Gavin se unió a Bill y su esposa Hillary Clinton para la cena del jueves. Estuvieron sentados alrededor de la mesa durante 3 horas y todo el mundo estuvo de muy buen humor. Sin embargo, no se sabe nada de las bebidas.

Bill y Hillary desayunaron juntos al día siguiente, como parte de su escapada al sur de la frontera.

Como informamos, Bill fue nombrado en algunos documentos revelados la semana pasada, incluyendo una declaración de Johanna Sjöberg, quien afirmó que Epstein le dijo que a "Clinton le gustan jóvenes", refiriéndose a las niñas.

Bill negó cualquier conocimiento de los crímenes de Epstein y ha afirmado que nunca visitó su infame isla, ubicada en las Islas Vírgenes de Estados Unidos. Aunque hizo viajes en el jet privado de Epstein como parte de los esfuerzos humanitarios con la Fundación Clinton.

Es interesante que Newsom esté pasando el rato con Bill Clinton aquí, especialmente durante este momento de interés periodístico. Por supuesto, Bill fue nuestro Presidente una vez y muchos creen Gavin Newsom tiene aspiraciones presidenciales también, así que tal vez esté recibiendo algún consejo o dos de la vieja escuela.

El cineasta y periodista Jeremy Corbell dice que han quedado atrás los días en que se estigmatizaba a la gente que informaba sobre los fenómenos inexplicables en el cielo, y eso ha abierto la puerta a una investigación en profundidad sobre la verdad detrás de los ovnis.

Jeremy se unió a nosotros en "TMZ Live" el martes para hablar de nuestro evento de 3 partes, "TMZ Presenta: UFO Revolution", que ya se puede ver en Tubi. De entrada, explicó por qué la palabra "revolución" es tan apropiada.

Él dice que los tiempos ciertamente han cambiado y que la gente está tomando la discusión sobre los OVNIS (o UAP) más en serio y que esas conversaciones están provocando un cambio y un movimiento para conocer la verdad.

Jeremy espera que más personas den a conocer sus hallazgos este año y nos dice por qué ahora es más importante que nunca.

La segunda parte sale el miércoles y cuenta con la entrevista de Jeremy con el denunciante David Grusch. En ella habla de las consecuencias de haber testificado ante el Congreso el año pasado y sobre lo que vio durante su tiempo como oficial de la Fuerza Aérea y exoficial de inteligencia.

Filmmaker and journalist Jeremy Corbell says gone are the days of a stigma on people reporting unexplained phenomenon in the sky -- and that's opened the door for an in-depth investigation into their search for truth about UFOs.

Jeremy joined us on "TMZ Live" Tuesday to talk about our 3-part event, "TMZ Presents: UFO Revolution," which is streaming now on Tubi. Right off the bat, he explained why the word "revolution" is so fitting.

He says times certainly have changed, and folks are taking the UFO (or UAP) discussion more seriously ... which is how conversations are sparking change and movement toward the truth.

Jeremy's hoping more people will come forward about their findings this year ... and he tells us exactly why it's important now more than ever.

Part 2 drops Wednesday, and features Jeremy's sit-down with whistleblower David Grusch, talking about the aftermath of testifying in front of Congress last year, and about what he saw during his time as an Air Force officer and former intelligence official.

Aaron Rodgers es firme en decir que nunca insinuó que Jimmy Kimmel era un pedófilo, diciendo directamente el martes: "No creo que él sea la palabra P".

Rodgers se unió a Pat McAfee en el "Pat McAfee Show" por primera vez desde que sugirió que Kimmel podría tener vínculos con el notorio traficante sexual Jeffrey Epstein y durante varios minutos, trató de explicar lo que realmente quiso decir con sus comentarios.

Le dijo a Pat que él y Kimmel han estado un poco enfrascados en una pelea desde la pandemia de COVID, porque el comediante lo ha acusado de estar equivocado en cosas que él considera, tiene la razón.

Rodgers dice que una de esas cuestiones tiene que ver con la lista de Epstein. La estrella de los New York Jets dijo que cree que eso existe, aunque acusa que Kimmel lo ha llamado "un loco conmocionado" por creer eso.

Rodgers dice que por eso comentó que "mucha gente, incluyendo Jimmy Kimmel, están realmente esperando que "una lista no salga".

"Me refería al hecho de que sí hay una lista", dijo Rodgers, "y hay nombres en ella y sería la segunda vez que un chiflado de cerebro blando, de universidad junior o como las otras cosas que le hayan dicho él y otras personas en los medios, tendría razón".

Rodgers luego explicó: "Entiendo perfectamente lo grave que sería una acusación de pedofilia. No soy tan estúpido como para acusarlo de eso con cero pruebas".

Rodgers luego dijo que creía que los medios, incluyendo Kimmel, están haciendo todo lo posible para cancelarlo debido a sus creencias. Dijo que piensa que los escritores de Kimmel están haciendo que el presentador del talk-show pida por él en ese sentido.

"Creo que es impresionante que un hombre que fue a Arizona State y tiene escritores de chistes pueda leer en un apuntador", dijo.

Rodgers añadió: "Le deseo lo mejor. Me importa una p*** lo que diga de mí. No lo acuso de estar en la lista".

Cabe señalar que Rodgers nunca se disculpó por nada, algo que Kimmel exigió durante una diatriba de casi ocho minutos en el episodio del martes de "Jimmy Kimmel Live".

Kimmel se enfureció durante su discurso, calificando a Rodgers de todo mientras proclamaba que nunca había tenido ningún tipo de asociación con Epstein.

Aaron Rodgers is adamant he never insinuated Jimmy Kimmel was a pedophile ... saying straight up on Tuesday, "I don't think he's a P word."

Rodgers joined Pat McAfee on the "Pat McAfee Show" for the first time since he appeared to suggest that Kimmel might have ties to notorious sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein last week ... and for several minutes, he attempted to explain what he really meant by his comments.

He told Pat that he and Kimmel have been in a bit of a tiff since the COVID pandemic ... because the comedian has accused him of being wrong about things when he says he's actually been right on them.

Rodgers says one of those issues had to do with an Epstein list. The New York Jets star said he thinks one exists -- though he claims Kimmel called him "an overly concussed wacko" for having that belief.

Rodgers says that's why he remarked "a lot of people, including Jimmy Kimmel, are really hoping that" a list "doesn't come out."

"I was referring to the fact that if there's a list," Rodgers said, "and there are names on it, that it'd be the second time a soft-brained, junior college wacko ... whatever other things have been said by him and other people in the media -- would be right twice."

Rodgers then explained ... "I totally understand how serious an allegation of pedophilia would be ... I'm not stupid enough to accuse you of that with zero evidence."

Rodgers then said he believed the media -- including Kimmel -- is trying its best to cancel him due to his polarizing beliefs ... saying he thinks Kimmel's joke writers are doing the talk-show host's bidding for him in that regard.

"I think it's impressive that a man who went to Arizona State and has joke writers can read off a prompter," he said.

Rodgers added, "I wish him the best. I don't give a s*** what he says about me. I'm not accusing him of being on the list."

It should be noted Rodgers never apologized for anything ... something Kimmel demanded the signal-caller do during a nearly eight-minute diatribe on Tuesday's episode "Jimmy Kimmel Live."

Kimmel went off during the rant, calling Rodgers all kinds of names while proclaiming he's never had any kind of association with Epstein whatsoever.

Lara Trump kicked off 2024 scandalizing the MAGA folks with her revealing New Year's Eve attire -- though the backlash is rooted in jealousy, according to the dress' designer.

"Project Runway" alum Oscar Lopez, who designed Lara's NYE dress, tells TMZ he's sticking by the thigh-high split/plunging white gown, which was branded 'trashy,' 'inappropriate' and 'disrespectful' by folks on social media ... saying he actually designed it with sensuality and elegance in mind.

He says he worked closely with Lara to ensure the final creation aligned with the empowering message they wanted to portray ... while staying true to Lara's confident personal style -- though Oscar notes the gym bunny looks great in anything cause she's got a fantastic figure.

Oscars says Lara was content to wear the final look ... and he's got no regrets about working with her.

As for the controversy, Oscar notes fashion is a subjective and interpretive art form, eliciting a range of reactions -- it's just a shame his skin-baring design has divided opinion.

He confirms Lara's aware of the scrutiny -- but she ain't letting it faze her cause she respects the diverse opinions that come with being in the public eye.

Cubrir la llegada de Donald Trump a un tribunal federal no es el momento ni el lugar adecuado para hablar de asesinatos ni mucho menos para hacer bromas al respecto, pero eso es justamente lo que hicieron dos periodistas.

Los periodistas no identificados estaban fuera del Tribunal Federal E. Barrett Prettyman la mañana del martes en Washington DC, a la espera de que el ex presidente se detuviera. Fue entonces cuando comenzaron a evaluar su posición y si tendrían una buena vista de Trump.

Al parecer, se olvidaron de dónde estaban y lo que hacen para ganarse la vida, porque con los micrófonos abiertos empezaron a bromear acerca de Trump, posiblemente apareciendo en un convertible, tal como lo hizo el Presidente John F. Kennedy en su malograda caravana en Dallas el 22 de noviembre de 1963

Un tipo le dice al otro: "¿Sabes lo que debieron haberle dicho a JFK, ¡deberías ir en un descapotable! Jajaja".

El video muestra a agentes de policía a pocos metros de los misteriosos periodistas, pero no está claro si los policías oyeron los comentarios. Es muy posible que el Servicio Secreto se interese por el video.

Trump está en el Tribunal de Circuito de Apelaciones de EE.UU. argumentando que debería tener inmunidad judicial en el caso de subversión electoral del abogado especial Jack Smith.

9:23 AM PT -- Donald Trump just addressed after his court hearing this AM in DC -- and it sounds like he might've not been made aware of this troubling hot mic comments ... just take a listen.

DT said that while he was dismayed by the case and the charges in general -- continuing to insist he's getting railroaded over politics -- he did thank the media for covering this one "fairly." Of course, what the journos were joking about out there seem to indicate a slant.

That's putting it lightly ...

Covering Donald Trump's arrival at a federal court is hardly the time or place to be talking about assassinations, much less making jokes about them ... but that's what 2 journalists did, and they got busted on hot microphones.

The 2 unnamed journalists were outside the E. Barrett Prettyman Federal Courthouse Tuesday morning in Washington, DC -- waiting for the former president to pull up -- when they started assessing their position and whether they'd have a good view of Trump.

Apparently, they forgot where they were and what they do for a living ... because with open mics all around they start joking about Trump possibly showing up in a convertible -- a la President John F. Kennedy in his ill-fated Dallas motorcade on Nov. 22, 1963.

One guy says to the other, "Maybe someone, just like they told JFK, 'Y'know what ya should do, you should take a convertible!" Hahaha.

The video shows police officers standing just a few feet away from the mystery journos, but it's unclear if the cops heard the remarks. It's certainly possible the Secret Service will take an interest in the video.

Trump showed up at the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals -- in a motorcade of SUVs, for what it's worth -- to argue he should have immunity from prosecution in special counsel Jack Smith's election subversion case.

While the journalists were clearly joking -- it's the kinda thing reporters do while passing time at major events -- this kinda humor never sits well with those protecting Presidents ... past, present or future.