Politics

Has A.I. entered the White House? There's an interesting theory circulating social media claiming President Trump's new sweeping reciprocal tariffs -- slapping a minimum 10% tariff on nearly 100 countries -- were formulated with the help of artificial intelligence.

The theory comes after several X users claimed they duplicated the same tariff plan via OpenAI’s ChatGPT and similar programs.

For background, the White House announced it calculated the size of the trade deficit between the U.S. and a given country and divided that by how much America imports from the chosen country. That number was then divided in half, reaching the new tariff rate.

Crypto trader Jordan "Cobie" Fish shared a screenshot asking ChatGPT to "calculate the tariffs that should be imposed on other countries so that the US is on even playing fields when it comes to trade deficit" with a baseline of 10% ... and it answered with a noticeably similar plan to what the White House used.

ChatGPT warned Cobie the plan fails to take into account the "intricate dynamics of international trade -- such as elasticities, retaliatory measures, and supply chain nuances."

Plus, Elon Musk's AI chatbot Grok created a similar plan when instructed with the same prompt. It also cautioned one must "consider production costs, subsidies, and labor standards abroad" when hoping to achieve an "even playing field."

Furthermore, Grok warned such a formula could cause "retaliation or higher costs for US consumers."

Other X users have noticed similar formulas generated via 4o, o3 high, Gemini 2.5 pro, and Claude 3.7.

Economist James Surowiecki says he was also able to reverse-engineer the "fake tariff rates" ... calling the simplicity of it all "extraordinary nonsense."

When Trump announced his new tariffs Thursday, he said they were necessary to boost domestic manufacturing, create revenue for the U.S. and restore fairness to global trade.

Mel Gibson is having his right to bear arms restored ... and his support for President Trump sounds like it's playing a big role.

Trump's Justice Department is going to allow Mel to own guns again despite him pleading no contest in 2011 to a battery charge involving his former girlfriend, a legal issue that made it impossible for him to buy firearms ... according to the New York Times.

Mel is one of 10 people with convictions who are getting back their gun rights, the NYT reported Thursday, and Mel's inclusion sparked a fierce debate at the top of the Justice Department ... a disagreement that allegedly resulted in a couple firings.

Elon Musk's time at the White House is coming to an end ... at least that's what President Trump is reportedly telling those closest to him.

POTUS has told his inner circle and some members of his Cabinet that Elon will soon be stepping back from his role as a senior White House advisor ... according to a report Wednesday from Politico, citing three anonymous "Trump insiders."

Trump hinted at the change Monday, telling reporters in the Oval Office ... "I think he's been amazing but I also think he's got a big company to run and so at some point, he's going to be going back. He wants to. I'd keep him as long as I could keep him."

Jeff Bezos sounds like he's throwing some Amazon money around ... because his company is reportedly trying to acquire TikTok.

Amazon submitted a bid to buy TikTok as the popular video app nears the Saturday deadline to separate from Chinese ownership or face a ban in the United States ... according to a report Wednesday in the New York Times.

The report says the Amazon bid came in at the last minute ... and the NYT also notes the Amazon offer is not being taken seriously.

8:14 AM PT -- A rep for Cory Booker confirms to TMZ he did not wear a diaper during his record-setting Senate speech ... meaning he gabbed for over 24 hours without going to the bathroom.

Cory Booker went full marathon mode this week, breaking the record for the longest Senate speech -- and he’s dishing on all the tricks he used to pull it off ... including how he avoided a single nature break.

At a press conference after his epic speech, the New Jersey Senator spilled the secret to his endurance -- he had fasted for days and cut out water beforehand, which definitely helped him dodge any mid-lecture bathroom breaks.

Cory gave more insight into how standing strong for 25 hours and 5 minutes in total came at a cost -- explaining that skipping water gave him some brutal muscle cramps along the way.

Cory Booker just made history ... and he's getting recognized by his fellow Senators with a huge round of applause and a standing ovation.

The Senator from New Jersey has been giving a speech for over 24 hours on the Senate floor and he just broke a longstanding record for the longest Senate speech on record ... resulting in cheers from his fellow Senate Democrats.

Booker is railing against all of the changes and upheaval from the second Donald Trump presidency ... and Sen. Chuck Schumer briefly chimed in Tuesday to deliver Booker news of his record-setting performance.

Here's an embarrassing history lesson for Rep. Lauren Boebert ... as she tries to grill director Oliver Stone about something President Trump's ally Roger Stone actually did!

The Congresswoman from Colorado made the mix-up Tuesday during a congressional hearing about President John F. Kennedy's assassination -- confusing Oliver's Oscar winning film "JFK" with Roger's theory on the killing.

Check out the clip ... Lauren asks Oliver about a book he wrote accusing Lyndon B. Johnson of being involved in JFK's assassination.

J.D. Vance getting into a heated back-and-forth with reporters on social media is a good thing for the country ... so says one of the journalists who sparred with the Vice President online.

Politco's Kyle Cheney joined us on "TMZ Live" Tuesday and told us about his interaction this week on X with Vance, who tried to call him out over a deportation case.

Kyle and J.D. were going back and forth over an immigrant who claims he was accidentally deported to a notorious El Salvador prison due to an administrative error ... and they had a spirited discussion about some of the legal aspects involved.

10:40 AM PT -- Luigi Mangione's attorney Karen Agnifilo tells TMZ ... “By seeking to murder Luigi Mangione, the Justice Department has moved from the dysfunctional to the barbaric. Their decision to execute Luigi is political and goes against the recommendation of the local federal prosecutors, the law, and historical precedent. While claiming to protect against murder, the federal government moves to commit the pre-meditated, state-sponsored murder of Luigi.

By doing this, they are defending the broken, immoral, and murderous healthcare industry that continues to terrorize the American people. We are prepared to fight these federal charges, brought by a lawless Justice Department, as well as the New York State charges, and the Pennsylvania charges, and anything else they want to pile on Luigi.

This is a corrupt web of government dysfunction and one-upmanship. Luigi is caught in a high-stakes game of tug-of-war between state and federal prosecutors, except the trophy is a young man’s life.”

Bad news for Luigi Mangione -- U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi is pushing for the death penalty in his case.

In a statement Tuesday, Pamela reminded everyone of Mangione’s alleged crime -- the murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson -- calling it a premeditated, cold-blooded assassination that shocked America.

Pamela's now ordered Acting U.S. Attorney Matthew Podolsky to pursue the death penalty ... saying it aligns with President Trump’s agenda to crack down on violent crime and "Make America Safe Again."

Joe Rogan's drawing a line when it comes to supporting President Donald Trump -- he's calling out the White House for horrific reports of non-criminals getting deported and thrown in max-security Central American prisons.

On his latest "The Joe Rogan Experience" episode, Joe and guest Konstantin Kisin dig into the reported case of a gay barber who entered the U.S. legally, but was arrested in an ICE sweep of members of the violent Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua.

The story seems to line up with The New Yorker's report on Andry Jose Hernandez Romero, a 31-year-old gay makeup artist from Venezuela seeking asylum in the U.S. He was reportedly taken into ICE custody over a crown tattoo that was mistaken for a Tren de Aragua gang identifier -- and sent to a prison in El Salvador.

"I'm President Donald J. Trump ... and I approve this hookup" is essentially what No. 47 said of Tiger Woods' new relationship with Vanessa Trump -- telling reporters he's giving the coupling a yuuuuge thumbs up.

POTUS was asked about El Tigre's romance on Monday ... and he couldn't say enough good things about the golf superstar.

"Well, I love Tiger and I love Vanessa," Trump stated before giving his take on what he thinks torpedoed his son Don Jr.'s marriage to Woods' new lady after 13 years.

3:50 PM PT -- President Trump just signed the executive order ... with Kid Rock standing by to offer moral support and further clarification for the cameras about the issue.

Kid Rock was dressed in what some might call an extravagantly patriotic red outfit, with white and blue stars, stripes and some eagle wings, and a bandana-wrapped fedora ... a sharp contrast to Volodomyr Zelensky's muted military 'fit, which VZ was called out for as being insufficiently respectful during his own recent official Oval Office visit.

President Trump is trying to tackle an important issue he raised on the campaign trail ... scalpers and expensive fees driving up ticket prices for live entertainment ... and he's got a new action he says will fix these issues.

Sources at the White House tell TMZ ... Trump is signing a presidential executive order today to end price-gouging by middlemen in the entertainment industry.

We're told Trump's latest EO will combat a bunch of issues folks encounter when trying to buy tickets to popular concerts and sporting events ... remember the headaches for the Taylor Swift "Eras" tour?!?

Gavin Newsom says he'll keep cozying up to conservatives on his podcast, because Democrats have to talk to Republicans ... if they're gonna start beating 'em at the polls.

California's Governor opened up about his "This Is Gavin Newsom" pod while chatting with Bill Maher on Friday night's episode of 'Real Time' ... and he dismissed critics who say he shouldn't be "platforming" right-wing leaders and viral figures like Steve Bannon or Charlie Kirk.

Newsom admitted, "The Democratic brand is toxic now" and believes his party needs to try to find some common ground with its GOP opponents to turn things around on election days.

A New Jersey mayor was arrested for drunk driving earlier this month, allegedly driving around with her toddler in the car ... and, the police body cam footage shows what happened after she pulled into her driveway.

Gina LaPlaca -- the mayor of Lumberton Township -- was pulled over on St. Patrick's Day ... and, when she gets out of the car, she takes her son out of the car while officers pepper her with questions. She tells police she just came from picking her son up from school.

Check out the clip ... they ask about her front passenger-side-view mirror -- which has been basically smashed to bits -- and, they tell her they got lots of calls about her driving erratically. WPVI-TV was first to report the story and air the video.

Texas Governor Greg Abbott is smiling through the "Governor Hot Wheels" controversy ... sharing a meme from Antonio Brown that depicts him as Professor X.

Abbott hopped on Elon Musk's app Thursday and reposted a meme from the former NFL player, which compares Abbott to the X-Men character ... who both use wheelchairs.

The Governor says ... "Gotta add this to my resume. Need the outfit. They see me rollin'."

Congressman Keith Self is blasting Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett for cracking a joke about Texas Governor Greg Abbott's disability ... though he refused to condemn President Donald Trump for doing something similar.

The Republican representative from Texas stopped by "TMZ Live" Wednesday to discuss Crockett's recent comments ... specifically one where she called Abbott "Governor Hot Wheels" -- and, Self calls Texas Representative Crockett a bully.

Self says he almost wants Congress to avoid censuring Crockett, 'cause he thinks she's bad for the Democratic Party ... and, he'd happily watch her take it down from within.