Politics

Lady Gaga is not backing down from her crusade for the LGBTQ+ community, as many members foresee a grim outlook with the inauguration of President Donald Trump.

Mother Monster -- as fans call her -- promises to be there for the community as she acknowledges the 2024 presidential election was "devastating" for so many. She promises in a new Elle interview ... "We're not going down without a fight. We will stick together. It's going to be hard but I'm up for it. We're up for it."

Gaga says she plans to support the LGBTQ+ community in small but impactful ways, which means reaching out to her loved ones feeling threatened by the current administration and being generally available for them. She explained ... "Yes, I'm devastated, but what does it mean for me versus someone else?"

Al Sharpton says DEI practices are a must for companies and he's got a plan to support those who are committed to diversity, equity and inclusion ... by buying their products.

Reverend Al joined us on "TMZ Live" Monday and we asked him about President Trump cracking down on government DEI initiatives and pressuring private companies to follow suit.

Sharpton says he's going to organize a boycott for companies that do away with DEI -- but in the interim he's organizing "buy-cotts" to show appreciation for businesses that hold firm.

Billy Ray Cyrus is calling for peace amid some family infighting ... sending prayers after one of his kids accused him of sending a legal threat.

BRC posted a YouTube short with his song "Somebody Said a Prayer" along with a message to his fam.

He says, "Praying for my family. For my children … sons and daughters…and their mother. Let this moment be the start of healing ❤️‍🩹 for us all."

1:24 PM PT -- Trump Administration Border Czar Tom Homan responded to Selena's post during an appearance on Fox News Monday morning, disputing any families were arrested, saying public safety and national security threats were targeted  ... and he urged critics who don't like the increased enforcement to "go to Congress and change the law."

Selena Gomez has issued a tearful apology to her "people" ... after the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency arrested nearly 1,000 migrants in one day following Donald Trump's return to office.

The pop star posted to her Instagram Stories early Monday morning, where she openly sobbed while reflecting on the recent arrests. Benny Blanco's fiancée noted how "sorry" she was over the news and declared her people were "getting attacked."

Selena appeared most rattled about "the children" being taken in raids ... a clear reference to the president's recent authorization allowing ICE to target schools and churches moving forward.

Jesse Williams is all for progress being made in the film industry ... admitting he's optimistic about the future of diversity -- so long as it isn't just for show.

The actor spoke at a future of inclusion in film panel for The Adobe House at the Sundance Film Festival this weekend ... and, he talked about two different efforts to promote inclusion in film -- the genuine and the performative.

Listen to the clip for yourself ... Jesse says he sees and appreciates many creators genuinely trying to promote more equity in their movies -- but, he says he also sees the "trap of performative diversity."

Lin-Manuel Miranda's gonna need a rewrite on his smash hit musical "Hamilton" if President Trump gets his way ... or, at least, that's the 'SNL' take on the first week of his 2nd term.

The every-award-winning play and filmmaker made a guest appearance for the 'SNL' cold open, but just 30 seconds into his bit, he gets cut off by Trump -- played by James Austin Johnson. Lin-Manuel sings, "In America we will never have a king," perfectly teeing up Trump's line ... "Never say never. I'm in my king era."

'SNL's Trump says he's building a new America just like the founding fathers did -- "very whitely," and touts the death of DEI (diversity, equity and inclusion) initiatives.

Elon Musk's telling the people of Germany to move on from their country's past mistakes and embrace their culture with open arms ... and, many online are drawing more connections to the Third Reich.

The tech entrepreneur made a surprise speech to the Alternative for Germany party -- also known as (AfD), a far-right political party -- Saturday ... and, he talked a lot about preserving and finding pride in German culture.

Listen to the speech for all of it ... but, his basic point is that Germans shouldn't feel bad for being proud of their ethnicity, their culture and their country's shared value system.

Donald Trump's going from wildfires to wild winnings ... 'cause he's already traded in L.A. for L.V. -- stopping for a speech at a popular Las Vegas casino.

The POTUS hit up Circa in downtown Vegas Saturday for a speaking engagement ... and, he even stopped on the casino floor -- waving to a crowd of cheering gamblers who chanted "U.S.A." for the newly minted 47th president.

Check out the clip ... tons of smiling workers want to shake DJT's hand -- and, the Secret Service does an admirable job keeping the crowd from closing in on DJT.

A Florida man is now behind bars after he allegedly made "violent threats" to President Donald Trump via Facebook.

Shannon Depararro Atkins was apprehended Friday night during a traffic stop, per police ... following an investigation that began days prior.

West Palm Beach Police Chief Tony Araujo spoke to the media Saturday ... saying after they spoke to Atkins, he allegedly admitted to making a series of posts about Trump -- claiming they were just jokes.

Bill Maher's like L.A. wildfire-levels of hot over accused murderer Luigi Mangione becoming a sex symbol and folk hero ... and he says young people who think shooting someone in the back is a good thing, are themselves guilty of something else.

On Friday night's episode of 'Real Time,' Bill scorched supporters of the man charged with murdering UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson.

Interestingly, he opened his "New Rules" segment by jokingly opining, "One hopeful thing did happen when we were on our break: a health insurance executive got shot in the back on the street in broad daylight" -- at which point, Bill paused and a few people in the audience cheered. Sarcasm ain't for everybody.

Donald Trump may be being hailed by some for saving TikTok amid the U.S. shutdown drama ... but one mega-influencer on the hugely popular app says more people deserve credit -- like 2 billion more!

OnlyFans model and TikTok star Sophie Rain tells TMZ ... she predicts the China-based app won't permanently shut down in the U.S. ... and that's all thanks to the billions of users creating kick-ass content that made the platform an everyday must-have.

Sure, DT has TikTok on a 75-day extension in the U.S. after President Biden refused to enforce the ban prior to leaving office last week ... but, Sophie tells us the entire situation has become too political, strictly for grandstanding -- and it's "silly."

Donald Trump and Gavin Newsom won't be going on vacation or downing a couple beers together anytime soon ... but, the two men are staying cordial while POTUS is in L.A. -- at least for now.

The 47th President of the United States touched down at LAX Friday afternoon to assess the damage caused by the devastating wildfires in the region ... and, the Governor of California was at the airport to meet him.

Check out the clip ... the two bitter rivals shake hands and seem to put their issues aside for a friendly conversation on the tarmac. The two politicians exchange a few brief words which appear to be genial and warm, as they engage in a tug-of-war handshake back and forth.

Sirhan Sirhan, the man who assassinated Robert F. Kennedy, is eager to see the government's classified files on RFK's assassination ... he's searching for an answer to a question he's always wondered -- was anyone else involved???

Sirhan's attorney, Angela Berry, tells TMZ ... they hope the FBI files President Trump just ordered to be released will finally paint a full picture of what happened that fateful day in 1968 when RFK was shot dead while running for president.

Angela tells us Sirhan's legal team has gotten some FBI files over the years, but they were redacted ... and they're hoping Trump's action opens the floodgates for the whole truth to come out.

An outrageous display of antisemitism is scrawled virtually on the doorstep of L.A.'s Holocaust Museum -- freshly scrawled graffiti to button up a week when Elon Musk's controversial Inauguration Day salute is still sparking heated debate.

A sidewalk in L.A.'s Pan Pacific Park, steps away from Holocaust Museum LA, was tagged Thursday night or Friday morning with a hateful message directly referencing the millions of Jewish people murdered during World War II.

The graffiti reads, "F*** the six million Jews who were not trusted and killed 100 years ago so that L.A. law enforcement can spit on their graves."

Jewel is reaching out to her fans after performing at one of Donald Trump's inauguration celebrations ... issuing a big "I'm sorry" for her participation in the political weekend.

For those who missed it, the singer-songwriter performed at the "Make America Healthy Again" inauguration ball hosted by Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and his wife, Cheryl Hines ... after which she faced criticism for seemingly supporting Trump's nominee to head the Department of Health and Human Services -- and, indirectly supporting the new administration.

After Trump signed several executive orders ending diversity initiatives and announcing his administration will only recognize "2 genders -- male and female" ... Jewel is expressing regret for her participation in the inaugural festivities.

Watch out, guys ... no more afternoon shopping trips with the missus -- 'cause a visit to the grocery store is women's work, according to a Fox News host who's landed in some hot water.

Jesse Watters -- host of a self-titled primetime show on the network -- shared video published by the New York Post of Kamala Harris and her husband, Doug Emhoff, in a checkout line at a grocery store.

After ribbing the former VP for supposedly finally figuring out what inflation was now that she's shopping for herself, Jesse took aim at Doug ... asking "What kind of husband goes grocery shopping with his wife?"