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A U.S. congressman has the internet dumbfounded by a cryptic tweet aimed at young folks -- and while some try to figure out what he means ... it's music to others peoples' ears.

Representative Clay Higgins -- who reps Louisiana's 3rd congressional district -- fired off a bizarre message Sunday ... seemingly pissed off at liberals -- but his insult kinda fell flat, because no one really knows what the hell he's even saying.

Higgins wrote, "You millennial leftists who never lived one day under nuclear threat can now reflect upon your woke sky. You made quite a non-binary fuss to save the world from intercontinental ballistic tweets."

There's a lot to unpack here ... millennial leftists ... woke sky ... non-binary fuss ... intercontinental ballistic tweets??? Indeed, there's a lot of good standout imagery here -- and as a result, it's got many thinking these are great band names and/or album titles.

Others imagined this as something a comic book character might say in a panel ... just 'cause it's so dang flowery and ominous. And even more yet thought it was poetic!

Even Dictionary.com got in on the fun ... directly responding to Rep. Higgins by asking the obvious -- whatcha mean, man??? They wrote, "We’re not entirely sure what this tweet is supposed to mean, and we’re literally the dictionary."

As for what CH is actually getting at ... it appears to be related to Ukraine -- and without reading too much into it ... he seems to be parroting far-right talking points that have bubbled up during this whole fiasco -- namely, about how this is all about culture wars.

Yes, even in this dire time ... it would seem some simply can't let go of that mindset -- and even crazier, just as many, in some cases, are even embracing and cozying up to Russia right now, sympathizing with their cause!

Elon Musk has vowed to become a real-life action hero, saving the world -- or at least part of it -- by thwarting any attempt by the Russian Government to send the International Space Station hurtling toward earth.

Musk is reacting to a Russian space official who menacingly suggested the ISS could lose its trajectory and careen toward the U.S. or Europe if the Russians sabotage the craft. The official suggested sanctions could trigger the move. Russia controls the engines on the ISS, and it can direct the trajectory accordingly.

Musk's Twitter response ... a SpaceX logo.

Someone on Twitter inquired if E.M. was suggesting SpaceX would prevent the ISS from plummeting to earth. His response -- "Yes."

Musk acknowledged another tweet with the ISS, but one thing was missing -- any evidence of Russia. Instead, the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft was front and center.  Elon responded, "Good thread."

The ISS could do lots of damage for sure ... it weighs in at 500 tons.

As for how serious the threat, the Russian official said, "The ISS does not fly over Russia, therefore all the risks are yours. Are you ready for them?"

NASA says nothing's changing with respect to ISS operations. What's unclear ... can Russia do what it's threatening?

Don't count Musk out ... NASA has increasingly relied on SpaceX for space exploration.

Americans and Canadians are banding together to kick a bad habit -- chucking Russian vodka by the liter in protest of Putin's invasion of Ukraine ... in hopes of sending a message.

Of course, President Biden and other world powers are already imposing sanctions against Russia as a way to deter Putin from continuing his takeover -- but if that wasn't enough ... local liquor stores and restauranteurs are doing their part as well with a heavy pour.

And, we're not talking about ones for a shot either -- business owners from Oregon to Vegas and Vermont -- and, perhaps, soon even in Virginia -- are draining their Russian-based spirits down the sink and into the streets ... just to show solidarity with Ukrainians.

Bill McCormick -- who runs the Pine Tavern Restaurant in Bend, OR -- did an interview with KTVZ21 to talk about why he was nixing brands like Stolichnaya and others ... saying he doesn't wanna support any facet of the Russian regime, even if it means one less drink sold.

Ditto for the guys over at the Evel Pie pizzeria in Vegas ... who posted a photo of themselves emptying bottles of Russian Standard, among other brands, right onto the curb. The folks over at the Magic Mountain Ski Resort in Londonberry, VT are also following suit.

Another place that's speaking out ... Southern Spirits in Fort Mill, SC -- which posted something to Facebook declaring they would be avoiding promotion of Russian products.

They write, "We will sell down the inventory we currently have but will be moving the displays from the floor. Instead, we will continue to promote and carry Kozak which is an outstanding vodka from Ukraine. Thank you for your understanding."

Like we said ... Canada is getting in on the boycott too, with provincial powers that handle a good majority of liquor imports and sales announcing bans in their own backyard.

The Newfoundland and Labrador Liquor Corporation expressed exactly that, writing ... "The Newfoundland and Labrador Liquor Corporation, along with other Liquor jurisdictions throughout Canada, has made the decision to remove products of Russian origin from its shelves. These include Russian Standard Vodka and Russian Standard Platinum Vodka."

There are Canadian officials that are joining the chorus as well, like Ontario's Minister of Finance -- Peter Bethlenfalvy -- stating his support of bans in the area of Russian vodka.

A 51-year-old federal appeals court judge is poised to become the first-ever black woman to sit on the United States Supreme Court.

President Biden is set to nominate Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson, who sits on the prestigious Court of Appeals in Washington, D.C. ... this according to ABC News.

Biden reportedly called Jackson to offer her the nom and she accepted during a call Thursday night.

Biden was true to his word when he said during the 2020 campaign he would nominate a Black woman.

Jackson was the frontrunner from the get-go, although there were 3 other jurists Biden was considering. Jackson is a Harvard Law School grad who clerked for the Justice she's in line to replace -- Stephen Breyer.

In her early career, Jackson was a federal public defender. She'd be the first, former federal public defender to serve on the High Court since Thurgood Marshall. This is significant -- most of the Justices have no practical experience in the criminal justice system ... at least no experience in the trenches.

As for her chances, well there's a razor-thin Democrat majority in the Senate, but confirmation is likely unless there are surprises. Jackson's already been confirmed by the Senate 3 times -- twice when she was elevated to 2 federal courts and a third time when she was confirmed to sit on the U.S. Sentencing Commission.

As for how Jackson could change the court ... not much for the immediate future. She's replacing a like-minded jurist in Breyer, so the balance of power is still 6-3 in favor of conservative justices.

And, fun fact ... while she was at Harvard she acted opposite Matt Damon in a drama class.

Sean Penn is in the thick of the Russian invasion of Ukraine ... and he's filming a documentary the Ukrainians say will tell the world the truth about what's going down.

Sean popped up Thursday in Kyiv, the capital of Ukraine, after the Russians invaded ... and Ukraine's government says Penn is there to capture the conflict on film.

The Office of the President of Ukraine says Sean is showing "courage and honesty" ... characteristics they say are lacking among many western politicians.

As you see, Sean sat in on a press briefing Thursday in Kyiv ... listening to government officials. The Ukrainians say Sean also spoke to journalists, the military to understand how the Ukrainians are mounting a defense.

Sean first arrived in Ukraine back in November, according to the government, preparing for his documentary by visiting with the Ukrainian military.

As we reported ... Russia is attacking Ukraine from all angles, dropping bombs and sending folks running from their homes.

The assault on Ukraine has sent thousands of Ukrainians running for cover and fleeing as bombs drop on innocent civilians.

As you know by now, Russia has brazenly attacked Ukraine from all angles, and its citizens -- who up till now were shockingly calm -- are now dealing with an impossible situation. Try to survive the attack, or get out.

The video (above) is shocking ... a Russian fighter jet buzzes a home in Ukraine and drops a bomb either right near or on a house. You hear children wailing in fear inside the building.

Traffic is snarled in what looks like a never-ending line of cars as people flee Kyiv.

And, the train station has become a bomb shelter ... jam-packed with hundreds of people huddled together. Look at the faces, the families and the fear.

The questions now ... how far will Putin go? And, how much will the Ukrainians fight to preserve their homeland? Putin has brazenly lied about his act of war, suggesting Ukraine has some sort of Nazi influence. It's a ridiculous statement ... the President of Ukraine is Jewish, and the only aggressor here is Russia.

The Obamas' awesome Hawaiian estate is nearing completion ... but not without controversy.

This well could be where Barack and Michelle Obama spend their retirement years -- assuming, of course, that they will ever fully retire. It sits on 3 acres in the community of Waimanalo on the island of Oahu. They bought the property back in 2015 for $8.7 million.

Crews are already landscaping the property, which usually occurs at the end of construction, so looks like they'll be ready for summer.

The former Prez was scoping out the work earlier this month ... checking out the progress.

Fun fact -- the house that was on the property when the Obamas bought it was the house featured in "Magnum P.I." The Obamas razed the house in 2018.

Environmentalists aren't happy with the Obamas construction project ... they allegedly found a loophole in the law to keep a seawall on the property, and they say these seawalls are eroding the coastline.

There will be 3 structures on the site ... presumably one for Secret Service. There are 2 -- count them -- 2 swimming pools.

Evangeline Lilly has a word or 2 for Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau -- that he should have a word or 2 with the striking truckers.

The "Ant-Man" star went in pretty hard on the PM, telling the Bridge City News, "Why won't you sit with them? They have asked to meet with you, Prime Minister, medical experts, top scientists, doctors, nurses, parents, grandparents, intelligent, loving, concerned citizens?"

Lilly, who was born in Alberta, went on ... "If you're so convinced of your own reasons for the mandates, sit down and walk the leaders of a group of 2.3 million protesters across the country who represent many millions more across the nation, and explain it to them and ask them to listen with open hearts and minds, and then reciprocate. Listen to what they have to say with a mind open to hearing things that might go against the ideas you are entrenched in."

Trudeau has shown zero tolerance for the truckers, who protested under the banner of the "Freedom Convoy," after they blocked a key artery that connects Canada with the U.S. They're largely protesting vaccine mandates, but Trudeau has gone to great lengths to choke their resources to end it, even declaring a national emergency.

Elon Musk has blasted Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau ... comparing him to Hitler.

Musk was triggered by Trudeau exercising his emergency powers to stop protesting truckers -- powers that include stopping supporters from donating crypto to the truckers -- by posting a meme of Adolf Hitler with the caption, "Don't compare me to Justin Trudeau ... I had a budget."

The comparison drew the ire of lots of folks and orgs, including the American Jewish Committee, which responded, "Musk may believe posting a meme comparing Justin Trudeau to a genocidal dictator who exterminated millions is an appropriate way to criticize policies he disagrees with. It is not. It never is. Musk must apologize and find other ways to voice his displeasure."

Others are saying, "It disrespects the memory of all victims & hurts many people," and "Unfollowed. Not funny."

Don't hold your breath for an apology from Musk.

Britney Spears got a special invite ... to speak before Congress.

Reps. Eric Swalwell and Charlie Crist fired off a letter to Spears, asking her and her attorney, Mathew Rosengart, to explain "how you achieved justice..." The 2 congressmen wrote, "There is no doubt your story will empower countless others outside the millions that are already inspired by you and your art."

The 2 Congressmen say they want to learn "about the emotional and financial turmoil you faced within the conservatorship system." The letter goes on to say they are concerned that Britney was "forced to engage in employment against your will."

The Congressmen make it clear in the letter ... they're fully on board the #FreeBritney movement, saying, "We applaud your inspiring fight and stand ready to assist in any way we can."

For her part, Britney said she was grateful ... "I felt heard and like I mattered for the first time in my life !!!" She got the letter in December, but said she wasn't nearly at the healing stage she's in now.

Rep. Crist appeared on TMZ Live today to talk about the invite.

Dr. Oz just got his own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame -- but because he dived into politics as a Republican ... he thinks his spot on the boulevard will get the Trump treatment.

We talked to the daytime TV legend -- who's now running for an open U.S. Senate seat out of Pennsylvania -- amid his WOF ceremony Friday, and talked shop about his race ... and the implications it carries for how his star might be dealt with publicly.

Check it out ... Oz addresses the obvious comparison many will draw between Donald Trump and himself -- namely, being a celeb-turned-GOP politician.

Because of this ... he says flat-out, his star may get defaced between now and the finish line -- but he suggests if that does happen, it'll be done without merit -- 'cause he's his own man with his own views ... and the only thing he shares with Trump at this point is a party.

We asked what he'd have to say to would-be voters wary of electing another celeb in the wake of what many consider a not-so-great run with DT at the helm ... and Oz tells us his record, as a doctor and then as a media personality, speaks for itself -- especially on facts.

As you may have heard ... Oz's campaign is kinda controversial, and he hasn't been embraced by nearly as many celebs as one might've thought would come out in his corner. That's okay though, so says Mehmet ... because he says the issues/his solutions are what will convince the people of Pennsylvania to get behind him come November.

French Prez Emmanuel Macron isn't about to hand the Russians a DNA sample -- and that's reportedly why Vladimir Putin forced him to sit wayyy across from him at a comically long table.

When the leaders met in Moscow this week to discuss Ukraine ... this picture raised a lot of eyebrows and had some folks accusing Putin of a diplomatic power play -- but it was actually a case of extreme social distancing.

The Russians asked Macron to take a Russian COVID-19 PCR test before sitting down with Putin, but he refused to take the test ... according to Reuters. As a result, the Russians insisted on putting some distance between Macron and Putin.

Macron's objection wasn't about the test itself ... instead, it was all about espionage! The French reportedly had security concerns Russia would use the nasal swab to swipe Macron's DNA.

As we reported ... the image of Putin and Macron at the hilariously long table was very striking ... and it hardly instilled confidence the two sides could broker a peaceful resolution to the ominous situation on the Ukraine border ... where the Russians are mobilizing troops and seem ready to invade on a moments notice.

BTW, Macron reportedly took a French PCR test before heading to Moscow, plus a rapid antigen test administered by his own doc once he was in Russia -- but that apparently wasn't good enough for Putin.

Dave Chappelle's raging at local politicians -- who he calls "clowns" -- in his Ohio hometown over a proposed housing development, and after threatening to nix his own biz there ... he's won a small victory.

The Yellow Springs Village Council voted this week to approve a 53-acre residential housing plan. That vote came after a Monday evening council meeting where the public was invited to comment and Dave came in with guns blazing.

He told the council, in no uncertain terms, he did NOT want them to move forward with the project, and he said he'd pull his own business venture -- a planned restaurant/comedy club called the Firehouse Eatery -- out of Yellow Springs.

Dave said he isn’t bluffing, and hurled some choice insults while he was at it.

So, although the council approved the development, it rejected a part of the plan that included affordable housing. There are reports Dave opposed that specific part of the development, but his rep Carla Sims tells TMZ ... "Dave Chappelle didn't kill affordable housing. Concerned residents and a responding Village Council 'killed' a half-baked plan which never actually offered affordable housing."

She flat out says Dave is not opposed to affordable housing, but he is against the "poorly vetted, cookie-cutter, sprawl-style development deal." She also claims the proposed residential development was only reserving 3 out of 143 lots for "future" affordable housing.

The real issue for Dave -- who frequently speaks out at village discussions -- is he, and many other locals, don't want their rural village to turn into a bustling suburb.

Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff is getting an up-close look at his Secret Service agents in crunch time -- a bomb threat in Washington D.C. forced them to whisk VP Kamala Harris' husband to safety.

Emhoff's Secret Service detail leaped into action Tuesday during his appearance at Dunbar High School in D.C. for a Black History Month event. An agent reportedly approached Doug and told him it was go time, and they went ... quickly.

Looks like DE was a pretty cool customer during the crisis.

Agents took care of rushing Emhoff out of the room ... while students and teachers were also evacuated. The White House says the building's been cleared and everyone is safe now.

It's unclear if there was a real bomb -- but the threat comes on the heels of dozens of other bomb threats at Historically Black Colleges and Universities around the country. The threats started coming in as Black History Month was beginning.

Bill Maher for President??? Some folks are talking about it, and now a United States Senator is saying it's not the craziest idea in the world.

We got South Dakota Senator John Thune Monday at Reagan National Airport, and although he laughed out loud at first, he pivoted and said not only did Bill have the right to run ... he might even have an edge because celebrity matters in the world of presidential politics.

This all started a week ago, when Maher mused on 'Real Time' that Democrats are angry at him for criticizing the party but Republicans are now suggesting he throw his hat in the ring.

Fox News anchor Dana Perino suggested it a while back, and now Senator Thune is telling Bill ... if you wanna run, go for it. But, he offered a warning -- presidential politics is a rough and tumble business, so buyer beware.

A coupe of things ... first, Maher doesn't want to run. He called the "movement" "goofy s***," so he's keeping his night job.

Beyond that ... Maher is not criticizing Democrats because he wants them to lose ... it's the opposite. He's criticizing the Dems because he thinks they've done "goofy s***" and they're gonna lose to the Republicans if they don't get with the program.

Queen Elizabeth II is as sharp as ever -- this despite laying low publicly due to health concerns -- and she put her famous wit on full display on the eve of a big day.

QE2 was on hand Saturday at her countryside Sandringham Estate with some notable guests, who were there to hang out and watch Her Majesty cut a cake that was done up to celebrate a major anniversary that's happening on Sunday ... namely, her Platinum Jubilee.

It marks 70 years since her ascension to the throne on Feb. 6. 1952 ... so it's a helluva milestone for Liz and the monarchy at large. To usher in the moment, the Queen was given the honors to slice up her own cake -- and per usual, she let the jokes fly.

Check it out ... Queen Elizabeth is brought over to the table where the cake's at, and is then told it's upside down in her direction -- so that the press could see it and get a good shot.

In classic royal timing, QE2 fires back ... "So they can see. I don't matter?" That got a big laugh from just about everyone in the room. But, Lizzie wasn't done quipping just yet!

She made the initial cut into the pastry, and seemed pleased that it went in easy -- but it doesn't sound like she was too keen on finishing the job and dishing out pieces for everyone. She is the freakin' Queen after all ... and she let everyone know by asking that someone else do the deed.

A couple things to note about this -- Queen Elizabeth seems to be in great spirits, and more importantly ... appears relatively healthy too. Her well-being has been in question of late due to her having to skip a number of events and engagements she'd been scheduled to attend in person.

This, of course, was all on the advice of doctors ... but it seems she's doing quite alright for one of the most remarkable times in her life. As they say -- God save the Queen!