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President Biden's annoucement Sunday that he's pardoning his son Hunter was nothing close to a spur of the moment decision ... TMZ has learned.

White House-connected sources with direct knowledge tell TMZ ... Biden had this planned for more than 3 months.

Our sources say President Biden was not involved in Hunter's case in any way until June of last year, when a plea deal was rejected by the judge. We're told he was "agitated" at the reversal and felt his son had become a political pawn.

Everybody has something to say about Bronny James ... but when it comes to his teammates, it sounds like they have nothing but glowing reviews -- with Armel Traore telling TMZ Sports he's got serious love for his fellow rookie.

We caught up with the Lakers' two-way player out at LAX ... and asked him what it has been like spending time with Bronny.

"He's my guy," he said. "And I like everyone on the team, we're a family."

Francesca Eastwood won't face prosecution after her recent felony domestic violence arrest ... TMZ has learned.

Law enforcement sources tell TMZ ... the D.A. decided in October not to prosecute the case -- citing insufficient evidence.

We're told the alleged victim in the case -- Francesca's boyfriend -- would not cooperate with law enforcement and turned down medical treatment ... so, the D.A.'s office isn't prosecuting.

The 2024 Bengals are struggling to find wins ... but Chad Johnson is warning the team to not fire Zac Taylor -- telling TMZ Sports "Changing the coach is not going to change s***."

We caught up with the former Cincinnati superstar out at LAX earlier this month ... and just had to get his thoughts on the 4-7, underachieving Bengals.

Johnson made it clear it's been a disappointing year for sure ... but he's not ready to call for mass changes yet.

Geno Auriemma isn't just the most decorated women's basketball coach ever ... his former UConn player, Jennifer Rizzotti, tells TMZ Sports he might just be the best of any sport!!

We spoke with the ex-Huskies guard -- who's now the president of the WNBA's Connecticut Sun -- following Auriemma's historic 1,217th victory on Nov. 20 ... and she raved about all of his accomplishments.

She called him "the best to ever do it" in women's basketball ... but then took it a step further -- and said he might have a claim to the throne of greatest coach period.

Bob Bryar -- the drummer for My Chemical Romance from 2004 to 2014 -- has died ... TMZ has learned.

Law enforcement sources tell TMZ ... Bryar was found dead in his Tennessee home Tuesday after last being seen alive on November 4.

There is no foul play suspected, we're told, because all of Bryar's weapons and music equipment in the home were left untouched.

Kai Asakura is fighting for the flyweight title in the main event of UFC 310 -- his first-ever bout in the United States -- and the Japanese MMA star says there's one special person he'd love to see Octagon-side ... Shohei Ohtani!

TMZ Sports recently chopped it up with 31-year-old Asakura before his UFC debut -- a title bout vs. Alexandre Pantoja going down December 10 in Las Vegas -- and the 21-4 fighter hopes the newly minted World Series champ can squeeze in a trip to Sin City.

"I have never met [Ohtani]," Asakura told us through a translator. "But I'd love him to come and watch my fight."

Gilbert Arenas' high school superstar son, Alijah, tells TMZ Sports he'd wreck pops in 1-on-1 right now ... but the only problem?? He claims the ex-NBA star is ducking him!!

We caught up with the Arenas fam at LAX recently ... and asked who currently holds the bragging rights on the court.

"You gonna answer that?" Gilbert asked Alijah with a smirk. "He ain't got a win yet!"

Jake Paul's win over Mike Tyson did nothing to change Claressa Shields' opinion on how she'd fare against the boxer ... 'cause she tells TMZ Sports she still believes she'd whoop El Gallo's ass in the ring.

We caught up with the former world champion out at LAX ... and got her thoughts on all things Paul after his unanimous decision win over Iron Mike -- as well as the hate he's gotten over the years.

Shields believes the backlash isn't much about his skillset ... but more about his choice of opponents.

Elvis Presley fans with money to spare can buy a beloved family memory preserved on tape ... 'cause video of the 1971 Presley Christmas is now up for auction.

Gotta Have Rock and Roll, a popular auction site with tons of music memorabilia, is putting a three-minute long 8MM film of the holiday up for sale.

The video captures Elvis, Priscilla and three-year-old Lisa Marie Presley ... with the rock and roll superstar chasing after his little girl.

Arnold Schwarzenegger hosted some law enforcement personnel on Thanksgiving ... though he wasn't expecting them when the day started.

Law enforcement sources tell TMZ ... LAPD responded to a call that a bomb had been placed in the actor-turned-politican's mailbox at his L.A.-area home.

We're told cops rushed to the home and searched the mailbox and surrounding area ... but, they did not find an explosive device.

Tiffany Haddish isn't making the same mistakes this Thanksgiving as last year ... telling fans at the Laugh Factory she's happy to be back -- but, she ain't getting arrested again.

The comedian stopped by the vaunted Hollywood stand-up venue Thursday for the 44th annual free Thanksgiving feast for the community ... a huge meal for people without the means of putting together their own.

Check out the vid ... Tiff says she's happy to be back at the Factory -- but, this year's going to be different 'cause she's not getting arrested for a DUI again.

Jessica Alba certainly seems thankful for the sun down in Mexico ... heading out to the beach in another bikini and catching a few rays while on vacay with her family.

The actress was photographed Wednesday on a beach in Puerto Vallarta ... wearing just a tiny two-piece swimsuit and lying out on a beach chair.

She's got thick sunglasses and gold earrings on ... great for hanging out on the shore -- but, it doesn't look like Jessica planned on diving into the crisp blue water and splashing around.

Zach Bryan -- once again -- pushed pause during one of his recent concerts ... because the country singer got another item chucked at him while performing on stage.

Here's the deal ... TMZ's obtained video of Zach rockin' the crowd Wednesday night at his show at the Moda Center in Portland, Oregon -- and it was about an hour into the show when ZB brought everything to a screeching halt, thanks to one fan.

Zach was in the middle of his 2023 song, "Tourniquet," when something flew up from the crowd and hit him on the leg -- no way of knowing exactly what it was, but it definitely resembled a Zyn nicotine can.

Elon Musk will be able to be in 2 places at once when he starts his new government position in 2025 ... that is, if he takes one robot company up on a very generous offer.

In a letter addressed to the Tesla CEO and obtained by TMZ ... Realbotix, a create your own robot company, offered to design a "one-of-a-kind humanoid robot" modeled after the businessman -- mannerisms and all.

More specifically, the robot will replicate Elon's look "perfectly," have a customized voice to match EM's, track cryptocurrency prices, move around on its own, maintain eye contact, among other notable perks.

Former Green Bay Packers linebacker Brady Poppinga is suing a Southern California hospital and several of its doctors -- claiming they contributed to his teenage son's tragic death last year.

The ex-NFLer filed the suit in Los Angeles this week ... alleging multiple physicians at Providence Cedars-Sinai Tarzana Medical Center did not properly care for Julius Poppinga after the family had admitted the 17-year-old into the facility's ICU.

In the suit, Brady and his wife, Brooke, say they brought in their boy on Aug. 27, 2023 with chest pains and breathing issues ... but despite 'round-the-clock attention from docs, he didn't get better.