President Trump's attempt to embrace George Floyd is clearly BS when you see what he retweeted -- a claim from Candace Owens that Floyd is a symbol of black America's "broken culture."

The President showed strong support for the conservative talking head's disgusting beliefs with 2 retweets on Friday ... promoting a theory she spewed about George on Glenn Beck's radio show. Owens said, "The fact that he has been held up as a martyr sickens me."

Their point is absolutely outrageous -- that just because George Floyd had previous trouble with the law, protesters shouldn't be chanting his name.

Beck and Owens quickly glossed over the fact accused murderer Derek Chauvin had pressed his kneed into Floyd's neck for nearly 9 minutes -- and almost 3 of those after Floyd was dead -- which is, of course, what millions of people around the world are actually protesting.

To say they're completely missing the point is a gross understatement.

Even more appalling is the fact the President stood in the Rose Garden on Friday and claimed George Floyd would be looking down and smiling because this was a "great day" for him and for America.

Donald Trump says Drew Brees made a mistake by apologizing for his anti-kneeling comments -- saying, "He should not have taken back his original stance on honoring our magnificent American Flag."

"OLD GLORY is to be revered, cherished, and flown high..." POTUS said Friday. "We should be standing up straight and tall, ideally with a salute, or a hand on heart."

Of course, Brees said Wednesday he believed when players took knees for the national anthem during NFL games ... they were disrespecting the flag and the military.

Colin Kaepernick and other NFL kneelers have said the demonstration was NOT about disrespecting the military -- and instead, was to shine a spotlight on police brutality and racial injustice in America.

Brees issued not one -- but TWO -- apologies ... after his comments were met with strong criticism from just about every athlete in the country, including his teammates and even LeBron James.

But, Trump says Drew had nothing to be sorry about ... writing, "There are other things you can protest, but not our Great American Flag - NO KNEELING!"

In his written apology ... Drew claimed his comments were "insensitive" and "missed the mark" -- and the New Orleans Saints QB vowed to support the Black Lives Matter movement going forward.

"I recognize that I should do less talking and more listening..." Brees said, "and when the black community is talking about their pain, we all need to listen. For that, I am very sorry and I ask your forgiveness."

Adrian Peterson says he's "without a doubt" taking a knee during NFL national anthems this season ... and he claims the entire league is considering doing it with him.

"We're all getting ready to take a knee together," the future Hall of Famer said.

Peterson told a pack of reporters out at a charity event in Texas on Friday he isn't worried about a possible punishment for the protest from league owners or the NFL commish either.

"Are they going to try to punish us all?" the Redskins star running back said. "If not playing football is going to help us save lives and change things, then that's just what it has to be."

Of course, the league's biggest stars appear ready to back Peterson in the kneeling in 2020 ... because, in a video released Thursday night, more than 15 of the NFL's top players demanded the NFL allow them to peacefully protest.

Everyone from Patrick Mahomes to Ezekiel Elliott to Michael Thomas took part in the vid ... strongly urging the NFL to genuinely support the Black Lives Matter movement.

But, the reaction to another round of kneeling protests will not be without controversy ... President Donald Trump just reiterated AGAIN on Friday he does not want to see the protests during anthems.

"There are other things you can protest," POTUS said, "but not our Great American Flag - NO KNEELING!"

Stephen Jackson is FURIOUS at Donald Trump for mentioning George Floyd's name at the White House on Friday ... and he's now warning POTUS not to let it happen again!

"Hey, this message is for Donald Trump," Jackson said in a heated video statement ... "Do not speak on my brother's name."

"I'm making you a promise, you will not be in the White House come November. You will not be reelected, I'm telling you now."

Earlier in the day, Trump spoke with the media from the Rose Garden and said he hoped George is looking down right now -- "This is a great thing that's happening for our country. It's a great day for him. It's a great day for everybody ... in terms of equality."

Enter Jackson ... who knew Floyd for years -- and he's pissed.

"You see how the whole world stood together? Arm to arm, race to race, everybody standing for love? 50 states, 18 countries. That's what me and my brother Floyd did. So we coming to get you out the White House."

Clearly, Jackson feels the next course of action is to mobilize the protesters into voters come November.

President Trump invoked the name of George Floyd while touting America's economic comeback, and praising police response to looting and protests ... by suggesting George would approve of all of the above.

After POTUS gave proud shout-outs to the National Guard, Secret Service and Washington, D.C. cops for keeping the White House safe all week ... he recommended certain Governors -- particularly New York's -- call him to get help squashing looters and rioters.

He repeated the phrase he used all week, saying law enforcement and the military need to "dominate the streets" -- but then quickly pivoted to calling for equal justice for all Americans "in every encounter with law enforcement regardless of race, color, gender or creed."

To that ideal, Trump said he hoped George is looking down right now, saying, "This is a great thing that's happening for our country. It's a great day for him. It's a great day for everybody ... in terms of equality."

What's odd is ... the President was in the Rose Garden to sign a bill devoted to small business loan flexibility, and not anything to do with justice reform.

Justifiably, Trump's comments have been met with backlash from some public officials who saw the speech as a gross attempt to politicize George Floyd's name. Especially, because we've seen multiple incidents of police brutality with peaceful protesters this week

Joe Biden called Trump's words "despicable," and Sen. Kamala Harris tweeted ... "keep George Floyd’s name out of your mouth until you can say Black Lives Matter."

Along with the new fencing around the White House to keep protesters at bay, President Trump should have a good view of a city block-long painting spelling out Black Lives Matter.

The local Washington D.C. government reportedly gave the green light to muralists to make the large BLM display along 16th Street NW ... which leads straight into Lafayette Park and the President's home.

The work started early Friday and will take several hours, but it looks like the artists are making great progress. And, in addition to the new display ... Mayor Muriel Bowser has officially renamed the section of the street "Black Lives Matter Plaza."

The bold, yellow lettering of the mural is a stark contrast to the black fencing put up Thursday around The White House complex on 17th Street NW. Remember, an 8-foot high fence was already erected around Lafayette Square earlier this week.

The White House is now surrounded by nearly 2 miles of fencing in response to demonstrations and unrest in the nation's capital. Of course, that caused POTUS to take shelter in a bunker for a bit ... and also instruct law enforcement to open fire on peaceful protesters so he could get to a photo-op.

It seems more than unlikely he'd seek another photo-op next to the mural when it's completed.

Dennis Rodman is still very pissed off at the looting taking place all over the country ... but he's now channeling his anger into action.

The NBA Hall of Famer says he feels compelled to raise money for the Black Voters Matter fund ... an organization "dedicated to expanding Black voter engagement & increasing progressive power."

And, how's he going to raise the cash?! DINNER AUCTION, BABY!

"Dennis Rodman is so disappointed at all the rioting and looting in light of the tragic death of George Floyd that he's auctioning off himself for dinner for two lucky guests with all the proceeds going to benefit the Black Voters Matter Fund," his rep Darren Prince tells TMZ Sports.

The auction, going down on Charitybuzz.com, says Dennis, the winner and a guest will dine with The Worm -- and notes, "The winning bidder is responsible for the cost of the meal."

The winner will also receive 2 signed jerseys provided by Rodman's memorabilia partners at Fiterman Sports Group.

And, if you know Dennis ... who the hell knows what could happen at dinner? Quick trip to Vegas?!? Carmen Electra cameo?!

President Trump says he is the President of law and order, and that's why he's deploying thousands of military troops to shut down rioters and looters ... across the country, if necessary -- but his first action was to have military and police pepper spray and shoot rubber bullets at peaceful protesters.

The President said justice will be served for George Floyd and his family, but in the meantime ... he will not allow the "angry mob" to drown out the peaceful protesters. He said the looting was mostly victimizing peace-loving citizens "in our poorest communities."

Speaking from the White House grounds, he vowed to fight to keep those citizens safe, and then said he is "Your President of law and order, and an ally of all peaceful protesters." Trump then called out local law enforcement for not protecting citizens and small businesses.

As a result, POTUS said he was making a move to shut down "domestic terror," and if Mayors and Governors don't "dominate" the streets, he would step in for them. He said he is mobilizing "thousands and thousands of heavily armed soldiers" to stop the "wanton destruction of property."  Here's the problem -- Trump's wrong on the law.  He does NOT have authority to send in troops UNLESS THE GOVERNORS ASK HIM.  Governor Cuomo, for one, has already said, "Thanks but no thanks."

Just over 4 minutes into the President's speech ... rubber bullets and pepper spray were being fired on a group of protesters across the street at Lafayette Park -- it almost seemed like a scripted made-for-TV moment.  It was also an outrageous overreach, because these were not rioters or vandals ... they were peaceful demonstrators who were showing their disdain for the brutal killing of black men at the foot of the symbol of government.  And for that they were shot at and gassed.

San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich says he's absolutely fed up with President Donald Trump ... firing off a flaming-hot statement on POTUS' handling of the recent protests in America.

“He’s not just divisive. He’s a destroyer," Pop told The Nation. "To be in his presence, makes you die. He will eat you alive for his own purposes."

He continued ... "I’m appalled that we have a leader who can’t say 'black lives matter.' That’s why he hides in the White House basement. He is a coward. He creates a situation and runs away like a grade schooler."

"Actually, I think it’s best to ignore him. There is nothing he can do to make this better because of who he is: a deranged idiot."

Of course, POTUS faced backlash after he tweeted of the looting in Minneapolis, "These THUGS are dishonoring the memory of George Floyd, and I won’t let that happen." He also tweeted, "when the looting starts, the shooting starts."

Pop -- who has been passionately outspoken about his issues with Trump -- makes it clear he has a problem with how the president reacted to the protests turning violent.

"It’s unbelievable," the NBA coach said. "If Trump had a brain, even if it was 99 percent cynical, he would come out and say something to unify people. But, he doesn’t care about bringing people together. Even now."

"That’s how deranged he is. It’s all about him. It’s all about what benefits him personally. It’s never about the greater good. And, that’s all he’s ever been."

But, it's not just Trump who Pop's pissed about ... he says the whole system needs to change.

"In the end, what we have is a fool in place of a president, while the person who really runs the country, Senator Mitch McConnell, destroys the United States for generations to come."

Donald Trump said something Saturday that is gonna be hard to swallow for millions of Americans ... he said MAGA loves black people.

Trump's statement came just hours after he tweeted with glee how the Secret Service was about to open a can of whup-ass on demonstrators who were confronting authorities near the White House. Trump says the young agents were itchin' for some action, with the help of some vicious attack dogs.

And, the day before he harkened back to a proclamation from another leader back in the 60's ... when the looting starts, the shooting starts.

Donald Trump sounded like a southern governor in the '50s or early '60s Saturday morning, boasting that the protesters at The White House had a surprise in store -- attack dogs.

The President said nothing about the reason for the protests. Rather, he talked about how safe he felt inside 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. ... "Great job last night at the White House by the U.S. @SecretService ... I was inside, watched every move, and couldn't have felt more safe. They let the 'protesters' scream & rant as much as they wanted, but whenever someone got too frisky or out of line, they would quickly come down on them, hard -- didn't know what hit them."

He went on ... "The front line was replaced with fresh agents, like magic. Big crowd, professionally organized, but nobody came close to breaching the fence. If they had they would have been greeted by the most vicious dogs, and most ominous weapons I have ever seen."

And, then the most bizarre comment ... "Many Secret Service agents just waiting for action."

He suggested the young agents were the most aggressive, seemingly quoting a Secret Service officer ... "'We put the young ones on the front line, sir, they love it, and ... good practice.'"

The White House has been put on lockdown and a police car has been set on fire as protests numbers grow in cities across the United States.

Thousands of people have hit streets in Washington D.C., Atlanta, San Jose, Minneapolis and other cities Friday to protest the killing of George Floyd. Many expressed anger that the other 3 officers involved in the incident hadn't yet been arrested or charged for his death.

In Atlanta, a police car was set on fire and major roadways were blocked. In San Jose, riot police started walking crowds back and Secret Service put the White House on lockdown as protests neared the residence.

In a video from just outside the White House, shows protesters knocking barriers over and law enforcement officials setting them back up ... only to be knocked over again.

It was announced Friday that officer Derek Chauvin -- who placed his knee on Floyd's neck for nearly 9 minutes while he died -- has been charged with 3rd-degree murder and 2nd-degree manslaughter. The criminal complaint said he created, "an unreasonable risk and taking a chance of causing death or great bodily harm to George Floyd."

Julia Roberts is making a political statement with her face mask -- one that's sure to irk President Trump ... on so many levels.

The actress stepped out Thursday wearing a face covering with former President Barack Obama's face on it. Julia was strolling around the Malibu Country Mart as she did her part to mitigate the spreading of the coronavirus.

Let's face it, she was also further politicizing face coverings -- something the current POTUS started by refusing to wear one ... even though his own administration's guidelines say everyone should in public. Arguably, Trump's adamant stance is why we've seen clashes around the country over face masks.

Of course, 45 trashes 44 every chance he gets ... so the Oscar winner's pandemic fashion statement would no doubt get a thumbs down from the White House.

We're confident in saying ... Julia wouldn't give a crap.

Rep. Maxine Waters says George Floyd's killing has her thinking some police officers wake up thinking, "I'm gonna get me one today," and she suspects George was this guy's one.

The Congresswoman from California joined us on "TMZ Live" and was outraged by Floyd's death at the hands of police, telling us it's got her reflecting on other killings of young black men by cops and white supremacists.

Waters says the Minneapolis cop who kept his knee jammed deep into Floyd's neck for several minutes actually "enjoyed doing it." She took it a step further with a theory about what goes through the minds of rogue police officers.

The way Rep. Waters sees it ... the cop was out for blood, and that's why he didn't care that citizens were not only witnessing his actions, but recording video of him slowly killing Floyd.

As for the other officers involved -- she's not letting them off the hook, criminally, either.

The Congresswoman says the police and white supremacists who think they can get away with killing a black person feel empowered because of "dog-whistling" from President Trump.

Keisha Lance Bottoms believes the majority of Americans know the man in charge is "not very smart" ... and she's urging everyone to use common sense and good judgment to get through this pandemic safely instead of following his political lead ... especially over masks.

The Mayor of Atlanta joined "TMZ Live" to talk about the politicization of COVID -- which is just crazy -- and the alarming images in her fair city, showing hundreds of people partying in close quarters without masks.

Bottoms says the silent majority has been responsible, and it would be a tragedy for a relatively small group to trigger a resurgence of the virus.

The problem, of course ... some people -- probably many -- are taking their cues from President Trump, who is clearly using masks as a moniker for his re-election campaign ... defying doctors and scientists and instead relying on untrained, gut instinct on what drugs to take and how to stay safe. Mayor Bottoms couldn't make sense of it ... because it doesn't make sense.