No TACO this time from President Trump ... as promised, he's filed a defamation lawsuit over the Wall Street Journal story claiming he wrote a racy 50th birthday note to Jeffrey Epstein.
Trump filed Friday in federal court in Florida -- just about 24 hours after the WSJ story dropped. According to the docs, obtained by TMZ, he says the Journal falsely passed off as fact he'd drawn the image of a naked woman, and signed his name "Donald" to mimic pubic hair.
He claims the outlet had access to information showing their story was false ... although, he does not say what that information is.
The suit insists there is "no authentic letter or drawing," and the Journal concocted the story "to malign President Trump's character and integrity and deceptively portray him in a false light."
Raekwon released his "Emperor's New Clothes" album today, but there will be no release parties at his HashStoria cannabis dispensary -- it's been shut down over alleged failure to pay rent.
According to court docs, obtained by TMZ Hip Hop, a judge ruled in favor of the building's landlord, BMHC LLC, forcing HashStoria to vacate the premises by July 1 ... where it's just been collecting dust ever since.
TMZ.com
Raekwon tells TMZ Hip Hop … "We were hoodwinked, and while it's a very sad outcome, we will have our day in court!"
The attorney representing the woman accusing Shannon Sharpe of rape said Friday both sides have agreed to a settlement in the civil case.
Tony Buzbee announced in a statement on his Instagram page that "after protracted and respectful negotiations," Sharpe and his accuser "reached a mutually agreed upon resolution."
No word on the specifics of the couple's pact ... but Buzbee added, "All matters have now been addressed satisfactorily, and the matter is closed. The lawsuit will thus be dismissed with prejudice."
Denise Richards and Aaron Phypers weren't always at each other's throats ... in fact, Aaron showed some public support for her back in 2023 -- calling her a "great wife."
The 'Real Housewives of Beverly Hills' star and her now-estranged husband were spotted back in 2023 at the Hollywood Christmas Parade ... sitting on the back of a convertible together -- and, they chat with a fan standing beside the vehicle.
Troy Ave. ain't out of the woods yet after his "fake" shooting video surfaced online ... 'cause the police are now investigating to see if the incident was actually real.
The San Diego County Sheriff's Office tells TMZ they received a copy of the video Wednesday, which depicts Troy and his buddy, Geoff Cole, getting out of a vehicle outside Geoff's home as a gunman sneaks up on them. Troy quickly reacts, pulling out his own pistol and firing several shots at the supposed assailant before the clip cuts off.
Instagram/@chefgeoffcole
Geoff uploaded the video to his Instagram page Tuesday -- and 45,000 people liked it, with many believing that Troy was a real-life hero standing up to an alleged attempted robber.
50 Cent's publishing company is suing his baby mama for telling stories about him online ... claiming she signed over her life rights years ago.
G-Unit Books is suing Shaniqua Tompkins ... 50's ex with whom he shares 28-year-old son Marquise Jackson.
G-Unit claims Shaniqua "irrevocably and exclusively" sold the rights of her life to the company ... adding she agreed "she would not publicly disclose, exploit, or otherwise commercialize any aspect of her life story or related rights" way back in 2007.
Luigi Mangione's lawyers are accusing the prosecution of cheating to obtain confidential information about him ... specifically claiming they violated federal through a recent subpoena.
The defense team -- led by Karen Friedman Agnifilo -- sent a letter to the judge Thursday in which they claim prosecutors partially reviewed documents about Luigi's medical care that are supposed to be protected by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act.
Mangione's side says prosecutors created a fraudulent subpoena to obtain the health information ... circumventing the rules by telling the health insurance company Aetna they could send the docs right to them.
Aaron Phypers just got hit with some explosive claims from estranged wife Denise Richards -- and TMZ’s got the exact moment he was served with a temporary domestic violence restraining order.
Catch the shots -- Aaron was shirtless outside his Calabasas pad, mid-phone call, when someone rolled up and slapped him with the papers ... and yeah, you can tell he was not ready for it.
Even after getting served, Aaron kept the phone glued to his ear ... clearly trying to process the bombshell as he skimmed through the paperwork.
Denise Richards' estranged husband is firing off about the alleged abuse of which she's accusing him ... denying all wrongdoing in an emphatic response.
Aaron Phypers released a statement to TMZ on Thursday ... claiming he never physically or emotionally abused Denise, or anyone else for that matter. He calls the accusations against him "false and deeply hurtful."
While Phypers admits he and Richards had their share of challenges, he says it never involved abuse ... and, he always approached his marriage with "love, patience, and respect."
The Idaho judge overseeing the Bryan Kohberger quadruple murder case has lifted the gag order ... but one victim's family says that's not enough -- calling for every single case document to be immediately unsealed.
Here's the deal ... on Thursday Judge Steven Hippler lifted the gag order -- allowing prosecutors to talk to media about the case -- but refused to release case docs, including evidence critical to the case. He may do that in the future.
Steve Goncalves, Kaylee's dad, blasted the judge's inaction as complete BS -- telling TMZ ... the victims' families need to have access to every piece of info to properly address "the monster" Kohberger at sentencing.
Congressman Tim Burchett says he thinks the country needs a special prosecutor to step in and handle the Jeffrey Epstein files ... 'cause we need to balance public information with protecting victims.
We spoke with the representative from Tennessee on "TMZ Live" about Donald Trump's reaction to people demanding the release of the Epstein files ... and, Burchett says he doesn't understand why the prez is being so cagey.
Fox News
Like several conservatives we've spoken to, Congressman Burchett makes it clear questions about Epstein aren't going away ... and, there needs to be some kind of compromise here to release at least some of the information to the public.
It's Whitney Purvis' lucky day ... 'cause she was just granted a $15,000 bond that can cut her loose from her Georgia jail cell after being arrested for involuntary manslaughter earlier this month, TMZ has learned.
It's not clear if she's yet satisfied the bond ... but if she's got $15K to spare, she'll be out of the slammer in no time.
Of course, the "16 and Pregnant" star's got a whole laundry list of requirements she must meet to stay out of trouble ... including keeping a 7 PM to 7 AM curfew, and having no contact with the victim's family, according to a court order obtained by TMZ.
A terrifying kidnapping attempt in Florida was caught on camera -- complete with the victim’s blood-curdling screams as she fought to escape!
Surveillance video released by the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office shows robbery suspect Theodore Michael Tundidor trying to shove a store employee into a pickup truck outside a St. Augustine Smoke Shop last month.
He manages to drag the woman to his truck ... but she fights like hell, slips free, and bolts before he can shove her all the way in.
Diddy's controversial verdict may have cost the lead prosecutor in the case her job ... 'cause a new report indicates Maurene Comey has been fired ... TMZ has confirmed.
Law enforcement sources tell us the daughter of former FBI Director James Comey was let go from her job as a prosecutor in the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York on Wednesday.
The report hinges on two sources who spoke on the condition of anonymity since they weren't allowed to publicly reveal the news. We've reached out to the U.S. Attorney's Office for more info.
Blake Lively’s highly anticipated deposition in her legal fight with Justin Baldoni has been pushed back ... TMZ has learned.
According to court docs, obtained by TMZ, the proceedings will now take place on July 31 ... and sources with direct knowledge tell us it was a mutual decision.
Our sources say the depo was postponed because Jed Wallace -- a social media guru -- was dismissed from the lawsuit due to jurisdictional reasons. He was dismissed without prejudice, so Lively can refile if she chooses to do so.
Perry Farrell's ready to go to legal war with the rest of Jane's Addiction ... filing a lawsuit against them hours after Dave Navarro and co. filed their own.
The singer-songwriter filed the suit Wednesday ... going after Dave, Stephen Perkins and Eric Avery in connection to the brawl that took place onstage in September 2024.
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TMZ.com
Farrell's accusing Navarro, Perkins and Avery of harassing and bullying him for years ... playing their music so loud that he could hardly hear himself sing.
