Donald Trump I Tested Negative for Coronavirus ... Carson Coughs, Touches Face

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Donald Trump finally, if not belatedly, took a coronavirus test ... but he can't shake the habit of shaking hands.
I'M POSITIVE I'M NEGATIVE
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4:29 PM PT -- President Trump has tested negative for coronavirus, according to the White House doctor.

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In a letter released to the media Sunday -- just hours after DT said he'd gotten the test and was awaiting results -- the doc says ... "Last night after an in-depth discussion with the President regarding COVID-19 testing, he elected to proceed."

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They continue, "This evening I received confirmation that the test if negative. One week after having dinner with the Brazilian delegation in Mar-a-Lago, the President remain symptom-free." So, in other words ... POTUS is in the clear. Phew ...

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10:59 AM PT -- Not too long after the President spoke to the media in the Press Room, Veep Mike Pence introduced Dr. Ben Carson to talk about the effects the coronavirus is having in his world -- Housing and Urban Development -- and things immediately went south.

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BC coughed into his hand, touched the podium ... and no more than 5 seconds later, reached up and scratched his face -- all things Trump's administration and scientists at large are telling people NOT to do at all costs. Apparently, old Ben here didn't get the memo.

Donald Trump finally, if not belatedly, took a coronavirus test ... but he can't shake the habit of shaking hands.

Trump took the podium Saturday in the White House Press Room and announced he took the test Friday night. Thing is ... he says he took it NOT to find out if he has the virus but because the media has been on his butt to take the test. He says the results should come in soon -- a couple days -- but he took his temperature today and he's not running a fever.

A reporter asked him about sending "mixed messages" by still shaking hands -- something he did a lot Friday at a Rose Garden news conference. It's a little hard to follow, because on the one hand he says he never liked shaking hands and resisted it, and on the other hand he says it's a hard habit to break.

As for taking the test, 3 people who were at the same function as Trump a week or so ago have tested positive for the virus.

Originally Published -- 9:59 AM PT

Pete Buttigieg Bernie Bros Gotta Get with Biden ... It's Life Or Death!!!

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Pete Buttigieg is urging Bernie Sanders supporters to get on board with Joe Biden, and quickly, because -- clearly referencing the coronavirus response -- he says it's a matter of life or death to defeat President Trump.

The former Democratic presidential candidate joined us Friday on "TMZ Live" and pushed for unity within the Democratic party as Biden and Sanders prep for Sunday's debate. Up to this point, many Bernie backers ain't warming up to Biden, but Pete says now's the time for that to change.

He says the debate will be tricky waters for both candidates to navigate, because if they both go for the jugular ... Trump will be the only winner.

The way Pete sees it, the differences between Biden and Bernie are molehills compared to the mountainous divide across the aisle -- and he says Trump is failing to keep American lives safe in the face of the deadly pandemic.

Pete explained how Dems can be smart about the election, and lays out the consequences -- in his eyes -- of Bernie bros not voting Biden.

Congress Loves That Chicken From Popeyes!!! ... Loads Up Before Trump Speaks Up on Coronavirus

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031320_congress_chicken_4750585 :: 0_o5fwlwmk :: 0_piduluhm
CHICKEN FOR THE CRISIS

Congress is divided now more than ever except when it comes to chowing down ... 'cause they all apparently love Popeyes!!!

Our camera guy in D.C. just saw moments ago a cart full of orders from Popeyes being wheeled into the Capitol building. You can see two staffers unloading the bags full of orders before heading inside.

Coronavirus or not ... politicians gotta eat. Especially with President Trump set to hold a news conference at 3 PM ET for an update on, in Trump's own words, the "CoronaVirus!"

But, get this ... we're told it's possible some members of Congress put in a huge order because the cafeteria inside the building may be shut down -- again, blame the coronavirus -- and there's limited food options.

Guess the fast-food joint was right ... everyone loves that chicken from Popeyes. Good thing we're not dealing with the bird flu.

Diane Warren Nothing's Gonna Stop Biden Now ... To Prove it, Use My Hit Song!!!

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Diane Warren says nothing's gonna stop Joe Biden's march towards the White House ... and she's offering up one of her #1 hits to help him get the job done.

We got the legendary songwriter and staunch Democrat outside Madeo in Bev Hills and she couldn't stop gushing over Biden and his surge toward the nomination.

Diane tells our photog she's got the perfect song in mind for Joe's campaign to use once he goes head-to-head with President Trump, and it's a blast from the past ... Starship's 1987 hit, "Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now."

Diane wrote the song, and you can see in this clip ... the wheels turning in Diane's head as she changes a few lyrics on the spot to better suit Joe. Evidence of her lyrical genius.

Diane says Joe's more than welcome to use the songs she wrote FOR FREE. We don't think he'd even try, but she makes it clear she's not offering the Prez that deal.

Watch to the end ... she threw a major zinger at Trump, when we asked about Biden's age.

Stedman Graham Oprah Won Obama the White House ... But She's No One's VP!!!

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Oprah's longtime partner, Stedman Graham, says Barack Obama owes his presidency to O -- so she's got political clout, but she's not about to be a running mate for either Democratic candidate.

We got Stedman in our nation's capital Tuesday afternoon and asked if Oprah should hop on the ticket with Joe Biden or Bernie Sanders -- now that lots of folks are clamoring for the old, white men to choose a minority woman as veep.

That's when Stedman dropped his Obama bombshell. He says Oprah's the main reason Barack was elected Prez in 2008 -- but he also makes it clear, she's got no public office aspirations of her own.

Sure, Oprah endorsed Obama back in the day, but Stedman says that doesn't mean she's political. We asked him if a personal call from Barack would change her mind, though .. and he gave us some insider VP scoop.

Bottom line -- the Dems might wanna look elsewhere. Stedman says Oprah's already found a calling with way more impact than what she could do in DC.

Joe Biden 'You're Full of S**t' About Me & Guns!!! Argues with Detroit Worker

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Joe Biden's fighting for every vote in Michigan ... even if it means going toe-to-toe in a heated exchange with a Detroit autoworker accusing him of trying to violate the 2nd Amendment.

The current Democratic frontrunner met with employees at an auto plant -- as Michigan and 5 other states are holding primaries Tuesday -- and at least one of Biden's meet and greets didn't go as planned. Surrounded by workers in hardhats, Biden ended up telling one of 'em ... he's "full of s**t!"

The worker claimed Joe's against the right to bear arms, but the former VP didn't let the statement go unchecked. He also quickly shushed an aide who tried to pull him away from the confrontation.

Biden told the autoworker he supports the 2nd Amendment and owns many guns himself, but points out that gun rights don't equate to owning any weapon you want ... like assault rifles.

The worker fired back saying there's a "viral video" proving him right, but Biden said it's a lie.

The exchange didn't end on a friendly note either -- the worker told Biden he works for him, but Biden shot that down ... then it sounded like he told him to stop being a "horse's ass."

Other than that ... the auto plant was totally smooth.

Pete Buttigieg I'm Ready for R&R ... And to Guest Host for Kimmel!!!

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Pete Buttigieg still has big plans for his political future, but for now, he's down to chill out and catch up on sleep ... until he tries his hand as a late-night TV talk show host.

The ex-presidential candidate says his campaign was just the beginning for him, and even though he dropped out of the race he's still hoping to make himself useful down the line ... which we already know means backing Joe Biden to take on Donald Trump.

For now, though, Pete says he's enjoying the slower pace of life off the campaign trail and will be doing some R, R & R ... resting, recuperating and reflecting.

Buttigieg obviously can't relax for too long -- he's set to guest host Thursday on "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" and says he'd also love to pop in on "Saturday Night Live."

If he does, he can check out Elizabeth Warren's surprise appearance for some pointers.

Elizabeth Warren Surprise Appearance on 'SNL' Who's a Better Me -- Me or Kate McKinnon?!?

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Elizabeth Warren looked herself in the mirror Saturday night ... actually, she was just looking at Kate McKinnon who was playing her on 'SNL,' and it was pretty funny.

The Massachusetts senator took the stage and first answered questions from Kate, who was playing FNC's Laura Ingraham, who debriefed Warren on her exit from the race and the endorsement everyone wants to hear.

Then, as Warren thanked her supporters -- various school teachers and teacher's pets -- Kate changed outfits and came out as EW.

It was pretty funny, but the reality is this ... Warren's support could sink Bernie Sanders. Her views are closer to Bernie's than Biden's, but she's made it clear -- she has issues with Bernie and she came within a hair's breadth last week of endorsing Biden.

Mike Bloomberg, Tom Steyer We Can't Win in 2020 But Charities Win Big with Our Swag!!!

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Billionaire ex-presidential candidates Mike Bloomberg and Tom Steyer came up empty in their bid to win the Democratic nomination, but charities across the country will stock up because of it ... with all their leftover merchandise.

A spokesperson for Steyer's campaign tells TMZ ... they are donating his leftover swag -- which mostly consists of t-shirts, sweatshirts and reusable water bottles -- to local San Francisco charities that take in clothing and other items.

We're told they're also going to send some of the merch to fulfillment centers in Dallas and Chicago.

Bloomberg's camp tells us his excess swag will be donated to charities in both L.A. and New York.

Combined, the 2 spent more than three-quarters of a billion dollars on the 2020 race to no avail ... but at least some good is coming out of it for those in need.

As for some of the other candidates who dropped out ... a Pete Buttigieg spokesperson tells us his campaign has very little swag left, and an Andrew Yang spox says he's still selling merch.

Andrew Yang's still got his eye on the White House ... because he'd be stoked to be Joe Biden's vice president.
I'M VEEP READY

Yang's MATH ("Make America Think Harder") hats are still a hot ticket item among his supporters, we're told ... so the store is still active. A campaign official tells us the money will be used to pay various campaign expenses, and when everything's square, the balance will go to charity.

BTW ... this swag gets more valuable as time goes on.

Angela Stanton-King I'm Running for Congress ... Against Rep. John Lewis!!!

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9:54 AM PT -- We spoke to Angela right after she registered ... and while she was respectful of Congressman Lewis, she also made it clear why she's running against him.

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Candidate Stanton-King told us abortion will be central to her campaign. She told us she wants to "continue to fight for justice for Black America, and also help people understand that our unborn babies deserve justice as well." 

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As for how much POTUS had to do with her decision? Watch the video ... Angela seems to be saying she's no Trump puppet.

Angela Stanton-King, the author and former felon President Trump just pardoned, is running for a U.S. Congressional seat against a living legend ... Rep. John Lewis.

TMZ has learned Angela is at the Georgia Capitol Building Friday morning to register as a Republican candidate for the state's 5th Congressional District.

Talk about an uphill battle -- she's not only entering the race with just 8 months to go, but she's taking on Lewis -- the Civil Rights leader who's held that office since 1987. The district includes most of metropolitan Atlanta and is nearly 60 percent black.

President Trump's fingerprint appears to be all over this. Just last week she was among a group of African-American leaders who met with Trump and prayed with him in the Cabinet Room.

It's interesting, Angela -- who did time for felony embezzlement, theft and fraud -- could still have run for office, even without the pardon. Ex-felons can run for Congress in Georgia. We spoke to Angela on "TMZ Live" last month about the President's pardon.

Angela Stanton-King 2/19/20
THANKS PRESIDENT TRUMP!!!

Angela is a best-selling author, and also appeared on the BET docuseries, "From the Bottom Up."

Of course, Lewis announced in December he's getting treatment for stage 4 pancreatic cancer -- however, he IS running for re-election. He's such a legend in Georgia, he usually runs unopposed.

As for Angela's platform? We're expecting to hear from her shortly.

Michelle Obama Air Booty Slaps for Male Dancer ... At Christina Aguilera Show

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Michelle Obama looked like she was having a spankin' good time at Christina Aguilera's Las Vegas show ... especially when one of the dancers twerked on her!!!

The former First Lady attended Christina's The Xperience Wednesday night at Planet Hollywood's Zappos Theater, and got singled out by one of Aguilera's shirtless male dancers while she was in the middle of singing "Lady Marmalade."

Michelle didn't seem to mind -- she mimicked delivering some butt slaps before the guy moved on, and she continued to dance in her seat. In fact, she and her friends looked like they wanted more ... more ... mooooore.

We're told Obama and her group of gal pals were escorted out by security after the show ... seemingly pleased with Christina's performance.

As for why the ex-FLOTUS was in Vegas ... she spoke earlier in the day at the Ultimate Software Connections Conference, so apparently her ladies' night out was the pleasure after the business.

"What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas" just doesn't apply to her.

Rosie O'Donnell Backs Biden Now ... He's the Best Bet to Beat Trump!!!

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Rosie O'Donnell's taking her presidential support for Elizabeth Warren and putting it behind Joe Biden -- like it or not -- because she feels he's the best person still in the race who can send Donald Trump packing.

It's not necessarily a ringing endorsement ... nevertheless, we got Rosie outside the Belasco Theatre in NYC Thursday night, and she tells us she's "all in" for Biden now.

She believes the Democrats must and will come together to win in November, something she says the country desperately needs. In case it's not clear -- she thinks Trump's the absolute worst ... and America deserves better.

As for why Biden and not Bernie Sanders ... Rosie believes Bernie has a ceiling and he's already hit it, and he'll eventually join the Democratic force too.

Don't count out Warren in the future, though. Rosie makes it clear her favorite ex-candidate's not done doing great things.