Politics

Rihanna got lots of compliments for her Super Bowl halftime performance, but there was one glaring, predictable exception ... the man who famously holds grudges -- Donald Trump.

The ex-Prez went on his social media platform, Truth Social, and had nothing but bad things to say ... "EPIC FAIL: Rihanna gave, without question, the single worst Halftime Show in Super Bowl history — This after insulting far more than half of our Nation, which is already in serious DECLINE, with her foul and insulting language. Also, so much for her 'Stylist!'”

As for why the grudge ... well, in August 2020, in the heat of the election Trump ultimately lost, Rihanna posted a photo on Instagram, featuring a car littered with graffiti, with the words "F*** Trump" spray-painted on it.

The FAA temporarily closed down airspace over parts of Lake Michigan — just the latest aviation closure amid reports of UFOs being shot down.

The order was given Sunday, with the FAA shutting down access to the skies … saying it is now being used for national defense purposes. The specific area that was locked down roughly encompassed the water between Green Bay and Traverse City, give or take.

The government isn’t saying why they closed that airspace -- other than to vaguely cite NORAD operations -- but in any case … they’ve now lifted restrictions — essentially saying everything can go back to normal again, without a proper explanation.

It’s alarming … just yesterday, parts of Montana’s airspace was also briefly closed for national defense purposes — only for it to be reopened again mere hours later — but we’re all still in the dark about what exactly has the feds so spooked.

Granted, this all follows TWO unidentified flying objects being shot down in the last few days … one over Alaska and another over Canada. And, of course, this all comes on the heels on the Chinese spy balloon drama about a week ago.

People are demanding answers and transparency, while also asking … is this the new normal in the U.S. now? And more importantly … WHAT THE HECK IS GOING ON?!?

No word from the mother ship at this point … but don’t take that big exhale just yet. Something tells us more weird stuff is afoot.

An unidentified flying object -- literally, a UFO -- was shot down by the United States just outside of Alaska ... but it isn't another balloon, and TikTok is having a tinfoil hat field day.

Here's the deal ... the White House announced Friday that President Biden had ordered the downing of yet another object in the sky that was inexplicably in our airspace, which the Pentagon said posed a reasonable threat to civilian aircraft due to its altitude (40,000 feet).

It had been spotted and surveilled by U.S. intelligence/Alaska-area military Thursday, and the next day ... JB said to take it down, which an F-22 fighter jet then did without issue.

As for what exactly it is -- and more importantly, how the government is talking about it -- is shrouded in mystery ... as White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby described it to the media as the size of a "small car," but didn't offer any more details.

Fortunately, other outlets were able to get a better read on this from anonymous national security sources -- with one unnamed high-ranking official describing it to ABC News as "cylindrical and silverish gray," while also saying it looked to be unmanned and FLOATING ... and not appearing to be steered or propelled with any recognizable aviation systems.

In other words, it sounds like a good old-fashioned flying saucer -- or, at the very least, like something that's been described by Navy officials, of late, as something out of this world.

There's a retrieval mission underway to gather the remains of whatever this thing was, but so far ... there isn't much else out about where it came from, what its capabilities are, or its intent. Uncle Sam has firmly said, however, that it is not another Chinese balloon.

Of course, due to the sci-fi nature of this news ... the internet is off and running with conspiracy theories -- not to mention purported footage and/or images of what some claim to be the actual object ... plus, what some claim have been other recent sightings there.

Par for the course for TikTok, but we must admit ... this is a pretty wild story, especially since the feds are being careful in how to describe the mystery machine. They keep calling it a "high-altitude object" ... but also admit it was, indeed, flying. So, it's a freaking UFO.

BTW, if this feels like déjà vu -- namely, the government admitting to something unknown, while being wish-washy on what exactly it was -- that's because this happened before. Roswell!

The infamous incident from 1947 is top of mind for many right now ... especially since a balloon was just in the mix a week ago, which China said was for weather research. That's what the U.S. ultimately said crashed out there in New Mexico, despite putting out a much more ominous public bulletin about the debris at first ... which definitely didn't sound like a weather balloon. Roswell is by far the most talked-about alien theory to date, at least here.

Time will tell if the feds give more info on what they shot down. With UFO reports at an all-time high -- and with Congress taking it seriously -- this could amount to something. 👀

The Congressional hearing where Chrissy Teigen's tweet -- calling then-President Donald Trump a "p***y ass bitch" -- was read aloud has sparked outrage ... from the woman who is viewed by some as the leading voice on all things internet.

Kara Swisher appeared on CNN Thursday and called members of Congress who were claiming conspiracy, "ridiculous." She acknowledged that Twitter made a bad call, and went on to say the company has made lots of bad calls on both sides of the political spectrum ... BUT, as she said, Twitter is a private company and can do what it wants.

NYU Professor of Marketing, Scott Galloway, was even tougher, calling the members of Congress who were raising these theories, "idiots."

Republicans who called the hearing claimed the FBI was pressuring Twitter execs to censor the Hunter Biden laptop story.

We got Chrissy and John Legend out Wednesday and they were kinda stoked about the attention ... that Ms. Teigen made it to the hallowed halls of Congress!

A reporter covering Governor Mike DeWine's news conference was taken down to the ground by law enforcement and arrested Wednesday for allegedly disrupting a news conference.

Governor DeWine was at an East Palestine, Ohio gym, discussing a train derailment in the city when reporter Evan Lambert was doing a live shot for NewsNation. It appears police told Lambert he was interrupting the Governor, but Lambert was in the middle of his report and continued on.

Just after Lambert finished, local police took Lambert down to the ground and cuffed him, as onlookers questioned cops as to why.

Lambert was cuffed and taken to jail. A NewsNation exec tells TMZ they were told Lambert would have to spend the night in jail, adding the Governor called the network and said he wanted Lambert released.

Lambert was arrested for disorderly conduct and criminal trespassing.

Chrissy Teigen feels like she's reached the mountaintop -- one of her more expletive-filled tweets about Donald Trump was read aloud Wednesday in Congress, and it's pretty hard not to laugh at the video.

Here's the deal ... House Republicans are leading a hearing to investigate Twitter's alleged role in suppressing Hunter Biden stories. But, Rep. Maxwell Frost, a Democrat, shifted the convo to former President Trump's interaction with the bird app.

Specifically, Frost brought up Chrissy's 2019 tweet dissing Trump, and asked former Twitter content moderator Anika Collier Navaroli to read it out loud ... strictly for the record, of course.

She uncomfortably said, "Chrissy Teigen referred to Donald Trump as a 'p**sy ass bitch.'"

The video from the hearing is hilarious .... Navaroli apologized in advance for the foul language, making it clear she was simply quoting Chrissy.

CT saw the video trending and reacted on IG, saying ... "I don’t know how to go on after this."

She quotes a tweeted video of the exchange on her Twitter and says, "I…oh my god."

We think she'll find a way ... especially with Trump running for office again.

First Lady Jill Biden may have played her husband's hand when it comes to the 2024 ticket ... and it all comes down to a kiss.

Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff was in the VIP section of the House, up in the gallery when the First Lady arrived. She planted a friendly kiss, smack on Doug's lips, which has now become a thing on social media.

The smooch is an old-fashioned, polite gesture for sure, but there could be political implications as well.

There have been rumblings within the Democratic Party about the Veep's fate as JB circles a 2nd bid for POTUS, which he's expected to announce in a couple weeks. Some Dems think Harris would be a drag on the ticket and want him to dump her and go with a new running mate.

Now it's certainly possible we and others may be reading too much into the kiss, but Jill and Joe know what time it is ... they've certainly been around long enough to know image matters. The fact that Jill gave Doug a Kay Jewelers greeting suggests the Prez and the Veep are tight ... making a ticket change less likely.

Sen. Kyrsten Sinema has a warning for DC -- or, at least, that's what her bold dress choice for the State of the Union address seems to scream ... 'cause it didn't do well at the polls.

The Senator from Arizona rocked a bright yellow dress with huge ruffle sleeves Tuesday night for President Biden's speech -- an obvious, eye-grabbing contrast to her fellow members of Congress who largely opted for black and navy business attire.

If she was looking for attention, Twitter gave her plenty.

One user wrote, "Kyrsten Sinema……tell me you’re desperate for attention without telling me you’re desperate for attention."

Others mocked her evening attire ... comparing her to the distinguished gentleman from Sesame Street, sharing a ton of memes and calling her out for confusing the political affair with the Grammys.

Another viewer wrote, "I feel so bad for every DEM who voted for Kyrsten Sinema. Can you imagine not being able to get a refund for THAT?"

Sinema ditched the Democratic Party last year, declaring herself an Independent -- so, maybe the yellow was her visual middle ground between red and blue??? 🤷🏽‍♂️

Rep. Nancy Pelosi says she isn't hearing so much as a peep from across the aisle when it comes to apologies for Republican conspiracy theories about the attack on her husband, Paul Pelosi.

We got the former Speaker of the House Wednesday morning in D.C. on the heels of President Biden's State of the Union address -- where both Pelosis were front and center -- and asked if anyone in the GOP has shown contrition for fueling misinformation about her husband ... especially after the brutal body cam was released.

As it turns out ... nobody has, according to NP -- who also gave us an update on Paul's recovery in general. Sounds like things are looking up, and he's almost on the other side of this. He certainly looked good at the SOTU ... cozying up to Bono in the balcony seats.

When it comes to this apology, though -- it's telling that no Republican has circled back to correct the record, including Sen. Ted Cruz, who was one of those spreading fake news.

Back in October -- shortly after the attack -- he was one of several right-wing politicians suggesting things weren't as they seemed on paper ... even hinting Paul might have known the attacker, David DePape.

Of course, that has since been debunked -- it was nothing more than a break-in/assault which prosecutors say was politically motivated. And Paul was most definitely brutalized, as seen in the since-released video showing the moment officers came to the door.

But, Pelosi says none of that's moved her congressional comrades to offer the slightest mea culpa.

Tyre Nichols' mom is hopeful Congress will make good on what came across as a promise during President Biden's State of the Union address ... but she's reiterating it's time for them to finally act on real police reforms.

We caught up with RowVaughn Wells on Capitol Hill Tuesday night, shortly after the President delivered his State of the Union address ... in which he referenced the fatal beating her son endured at the hands of Memphis cops last month.

RowVaughn tells us she's very appreciative of the President's strong message Tuesday night ... saying now it's all about putting forth action.

Given the reaction in Congress after the Prez speech, she says it looks like something might really change this time around. However, she says "we'll just wait to see" -- a point Ben Crump, who is representing the Nichols family also reinforced.

As you know Tyre was beaten by multiple Memphis PD officers so badly during a Jan. 7 traffic stop ... he died 3 days later in a hospital bed.

Since his death, police have released gruesome video of the brutal beating ... which stirred outrage and multiple peaceful protests across the country.

Five Black officers were immediately fired, and later charged with second-degree murder.

Other firefighters and officers who responded to the scene without rendering timely assistance to Tyre have also been fired, but no one else has been criminally charged.

Tyre's family has vowed to join the renewed push for legislators to pass the George Floyd Justice in Policing act ... which was defeated in a 2021 Senate vote.

Senator Mitt Romney showed his utter contempt for Congressman George Santos -- telling the lyin' rep from New York his mere presence at the event -- especially where he was sitting -- proves he's shameless.

A visibly angry Romney walked into the House Chambers and crossed paths with Santos, who was all smiles. Romney launched, telling Santos, "You don't belong here," adding, "You ought to be embarrassed."

Santos seemed a bit taken aback, but shook it off and then tried to glad-hand anyone who would walk by.

Santos was one of the first to arrive on the House floor, grabbing a spot near where the President enters the Chamber.

After Biden's speech, Romney told reporters ... "I didn’t expect that he’d be standing there, trying to shake hands with every senator and the President of the United States."

Romney also said Santos "should be sitting in the back row and staying quiet, instead of parading in front of the President and people coming into the room."

On top of that, Romney said Santos would "hopefully" get removed from Congress after the House Ethics Committee completes its investigation into George's many lies about his background, education and charity work.

Santos also faces multiple federal and state probes looking into his possible campaign finance law violations. He has refused to step down despite many calls for him to do so.

An anti-abortion climber scaled a 40-story building in downtown Phoenix on Tuesday without any ropes or any other sort of safety equipment ... leaving Super Bowl week attendees shocked on the ground below.

Maison DesChamps -- a daredevil known as the "Pro-Life Spider-Man" -- performed the stunt to raise money ... beginning his ascent on the Chase Tower at around 9 AM.

DesChamps wedged himself in between a crevasse in the building -- and inched his way up to the top -- as spectators who had flocked to the city for Super Bowl LVII gathered on the streets below to watch.

At one point, DesChamps paused in the middle of his climb -- filming himself and explaining his reasoning for going up the side of the skyscraper.

Eventually, the climber got to the top -- where he was taken into custody.

City officials denounced the move a short time after he reached safety, according to 12 News, saying, "This is not the place or the time to do this. This is extremely dangerous."

The Chinese spy balloon is down, but questions remain -- like, whether this has happened on another president's watch ... which the Dept. of Defense says it did, pointing to Trump.

Here's the deal ... the DoD issued a lengthy statement Saturday explaining what exactly happened leading up to an F-22 fighter jet of ours safely shooting down the balloon over the Atlantic Ocean, just outside of Surfside Beach, SC. We all remember that, yes?

They reiterated what everyone had already heard at that point ... that the U.S. believes the balloon had been purposely sent here by China, and that it was intended to surveil us.

However, in explaining the balloon posed no serious threat to us -- other than breaching our airspace/pushing the boundaries of our sovereignty -- the DoD goes on to cite an unnamed defense official ... who claims this happened before under DT's administration.

The anonymous official says, "Chinese balloons briefly transited the continental United States at least three times during the prior administration." There's no other details about when exactly this might've happened, or to what degree ... namely, did they do full fly-overs???

In the wake of this Dept. of Defense official getting Trump's name in the mix, a handful of former Trump administration officials have come out of the woodwork to deny this ever happened during his time in office. And we're talking heavy hitters -- guys who'd know.

The former Director of National Intelligence, John Ratcliffe, went on FOX News to flat-out refute what the DoD has said publicly ... noting, if this had in fact happened during the Trump years like they claim -- it would've been spotted and certainly reported by the media.

"Saturday Night Live" jumped on the Chinese spy balloon caper ... insinuating we made a way bigger deal of it that it actually was.

Chloe Fineman played MSNBC's Katy Tur, conducting an interview with Bowen Yang, who was dressed as a large spy balloon that was bobbing in the ocean.

"Well, you got me, congrats, you shot a balloon," Yang mockingly said. Fineman's response, "Wow, balloon, I'm sorry you're in the water, but thank you for speaking to us."

Yang continued, “I entertain you people for four days, and then get shot by Biden. I can’t believe that I’m Joe’s Osama!"

A Chinese spy balloon that's been hovering over the U.S. throughout the week is probably going to meet its maker once it reaches the deep blue ... something President Biden teased.

JB made one of his first public comments about the foreign aircraft Saturday while out in Syracuse, NY -- where he was asked about it by a reporter ... to whom he casually responded, "We're going to take care of it." Reports from AP and ABC News suggest it's going down.

According to the outlets, the Biden administration is strongly considering shooting the balloon while it's floating over the Atlantic Ocean ... that way, there's no risk of any debris crashing into anything or anybody on the ground. The reports say U.S. officials have cleared airspace for this, and that they would collect the debris for further examination thereafter.

As of Saturday morning, the balloon could be seen fly above the Carolinas and heading East. Estimates say it should be over water sometime this afternoon, so it could go down later today.

The Prez was reportedly first briefed on the fact the balloon had entered our territory on Tuesday, and the first sightings of it over Montana and other midwestern states began surfacing Wednesday. China says it's an unmanned weather balloon conducting research which accidentally veered off course and floated our way ... but the U.S. has called BS.

Instead, intelligence officials are saying it's a surveillance balloon ... and they believe it was sent here intentionally. In any case, it's not great for diplomatic relations right now.

A second balloon was also spotted floating above Latin America today. Time will tell if it's flight comes to an end ... and what any potential findings could mean for how we deal with China.

Things have been bumpy lately with the superpower nation, especially as it pertains to predictions about war and whatnot. With this brazen move, it doesn't bode well.

The balloon takedown could happen any moment now ... stay tuned.

Doug Williams tells TMZ Sports he teared up after Patrick Mahomes and Jalen Hurts officially made the Super Bowl ... comparing the moment to when Barack Obama first got elected.

Williams, the first-ever Black starting quarterback to win the Lombardi Trophy, said the tears never quite spilled over onto his cheeks -- but he said they were there, and they were filled with happiness nonetheless.

"I had tears of joy in my eye because I had an opportunity to witness this," the former Washington signal-caller said.

"Sit there, and just look at it, and say to myself, 'Man, we got two Black quarterbacks playing in the Super Bowl.'"

Williams said he had similar feelings when Obama beat out John McCain in the 2008 Presidential Election ... and also when Tony Dungy and Lovie Smith coached against each other in the Colts vs. Bears Super Bowl XLI.

"Things like that," Williams said, "give me joy. Give me chills."

Williams became the first Black QB to win a Super Bowl in 1988, when Washington beat Denver in SB XXII. Since then, Russell Wilson and Mahomes are the only two who have accomplished the same feat.