Donald Trump Me As Speaker of the House ... INTERESTING!!!
Donald Trump could jettison his threat to run for Prez again, and instead become a junior member of the House of Reps ... but there's a twist.
Trump was on a right-wing radio show and asked about an idea Steve Bannon concocted ... that Trump runs for the House next year. D.C. insiders believe there's a real chance Republicans could re-capture control of the House in the midterm election, and that could position him to then throw his hat in the ring as Speaker.
On the Wayne Allyn Root radio show Friday, Trump called the idea "interesting."
Right-wing commentator Wayne Allyn Root urged Trump to run for a House seat, become Speaker of the House, and then launch criminal investigations into Biden and impeach him. Trump was intrigued: "It's very interesting." pic.twitter.com/5ECkSABDbi
— Right Wing Watch (@RightWingWatch) June 4, 2021 @RightWingWatch
It seems improbable, but that has never stopped Trump before. He's toyed with his supporters, suggesting he'll make another Presidential run in 2024. That, of course, could be complicated by the various criminal investigations involving him, his family and his businesses.
Trump also took a shot at Mark Zuckerberg. As you know, Facebook has now banned Trump for 2 years, saying his social media posts represented a real threat. Trump fired back, "Next time I'm in the White House, there will be no more dinners, at his request, with Mark Zuckerberg and his wife. It will all be business!"
We got former Ohio Governor John Kasich out in Bev Hills Friday, and he's not too shocked about Facebook's decision. In fact, he doesn't see much hope Trump will ever change enough for FB to lift his suspension.
related articles
Caitlyn Jenner Easier To Come Out to Fam As Trans Than Republican
Caitlyn Jenner says it was harder to tell loved ones she's running for governor of California as a Republican than it was for her to be honest about her identity.
Caitlyn revealed her feelings in an interview with FOX 11's "The Issue Is" with Elex Michaelson ... her first media interview since announcing her run for governor in the recall election.
As you know ... Caitlyn came out publicly as a trans woman back in April 2015 and this April she threw her hat in the ring to become the next governor of California.
The Kardashians appear to be aligned with the Democrats ... although Kim and Kanye did interact with Trump over prison releases. And, although Kanye seemed to embrace Trump, he ran for President not as a Republican but as a member of the Birthday Party ... whatever that is.
As we first told you, Caitlyn's sons are embarrassed she's running for governor and the Kardashians won't be hitting the campaign trail to stump for her.
Seems Caitlyn is hopeful some in her family might come around to the whole GOP thing ... she also says she hopes Kim Kardashian ends up advising her on criminal justice reform, once she becomes governor.
related articles
Donald Trump Facebook Suspends Him for 2 Years Trump to Zuck: No More Dinners!!!
-
Breaking News
- 17.1K shares
2:40 PM PT -- We just got former Ohio Governor John Kasich out in Bev Hills, and he's not too shocked about Facebook's decision. In fact, he doesn't see much hope Trump will ever change enough for FB to lift his suspension.
12:15 PM PT -- Trump fired off another statement directed at Zuck saying, "Next time I’m in the White House there will be no more dinners, at his request, with Mark Zuckerberg and his wife."
Trump signed off, "It will be all business!"
Facebook is dropping the hammer on Donald Trump ... announcing he'll remain off the platform until early 2023 due to the "risk to public safety."
The social media giant said Friday it's decided that "given the gravity of the circumstances that led to Mr. Trump’s suspension, we believe his actions constituted a severe violation of our rules which merit the highest penalty available under the new enforcement protocols."
The suspension is effective from the date of the initial suspension ... which came down on January 7. Facebook says it'll reevaluate at the end of that period and "if we determine that there is still a serious risk to public safety, we will extend the restriction for a set period of time and continue to re-evaluate until that risk has receded."
Facebook says when the suspension is eventually lifted "there will be a strict set of rapidly escalating sanctions that will be triggered" if Trump acts up again ... which could include a permanent ban.
Trump, of course, was NOT happy about the decision ... calling Facebook's decision an insult to the 75 million people who voted for him in the last election. He added, "[Facebook] shouldn’t be allowed to get away with this censoring and silencing and, ultimately, we will win. Our [c]ountry can’t take this abuse anymore!"
As we reported, Facebook chief Mark Zuckerberg banned Trump from the platform in the wake of the Capitol riot ... saying it was too great a risk to America for Trump to remain on the platform.
Zuckerberg had hoped Facebook's oversight board would make a final decision on Trump's ban when it met a month ago. Instead, the board told Zuckerberg he would have to make that call.
Facebook says it knows its decision will face backlash -- with some saying a private company had overreached, while others will say it went soft on Trump by not issuing a lifetime ban.
Interestingly, IF Trump opts to run for Prez again ... January 2023 would be a critical time for him to get back on social media.
Originally published -- 11:40 AM PT
related articles
Government UFO Report No Evidence of Aliens ... But Doesn't Rule it Out!!!
The U.S. government is set to release an unclassified report on UFOs for the first time ever, and while intelligence officials reportedly found no evidence these mysterious, unexplained flying objects are alien spacecraft ... it doesn't discount it either.
According to reports ... the upcoming UFO report -- expected to be delivered to Congress sometime before June 25 -- doesn't completely rule out the possibility that UFOs encountered by Navy pilots in recent years are aliens ... it's just that there's no solid proof.
Instead, the report is expected to confirm that these objects are NOT top-secret American technology ... but could potentially be experimental or hypersonic aircraft of other countries that we have some issues with -- like Russia and China.
Here's the problem ... Navy pilots have seen objects in the air do things that defy any technology known to man. For example, there are images on radar showing spherical objects that have no wings, no engines, no emissions, and they operate in ways that defy physics and gravity.
Navy pilots saw an object at 80,000 feet careen to 20,000 feet in a second-and-a-half. Some of these objects appear to submerge in the ocean, yet submarines found no traces of debris.
Pressure has been mounting for more transparency from the U.S. government about UFOs ever since the Pentagon confirmed the existence of an Unidentified Aerial Phenomena (UAP) back in April.
This has led politicians like Sen. Martin Heinrich and Sen. Marco Rubio to call for more investigating, with Rubio going as far as to say UFOs pose a risk to our national security.
The upcoming report seems like a starting point, but according to outlets like the NY Times ... there's still no explanation from intelligence officials on how these UFOs are able to accelerate and maneuver like they do.
One thing's for certain, though ... we're not all crazy.
related articles
Clay Aiken Rock, McConaughey Will Be Hated ... Political Fallout is Real!!!
Clay Aiken knows what it's like to go from beloved celeb to despised politician -- by half of the public, at least -- and he's not sure The Rock or Matthew McConaughey are up for it ... so he's sharing his experience with political haters.
As you may know ... the former "American Idol" sensation ran for a North Carolina Congressional seat in 2014, and though he won the Democratic primary, he got beat pretty soundly in the general election by the Republican incumbent.
Waiting for your permission to load the Instagram Media.
Clay joined "TMZ Live" Wednesday to share just a slice of what the experience was like, and it doesn't sound pleasant ... and definitely not something a couple of universally cherished actors would want to go through.
Ultimately, he thinks neither Rock nor McConaughey will opt to run, like Caitlyn Jenner already has -- but Clay's adamant she's already experiencing the blowback ... just for different reasons.
As we reported ... Bill Maher blasted the stars running for office or considering it, and though Aiken's not nearly as blistering with his take, the 2 seem to be on the same page -- just don't do it if fame's what matters.
BTW, Clay's still taking on political and social issues ... on his podcast, 'How The Heck Are We Gonna Get Along.'
For the full interview with the former 'Idol' star, check your local listings for Wednesday's "TMZ Live."
related articles
President Biden & VP Harris D.C. Restaurant Surprise ... Guess Who's Coming to Lunch!!!
So POTUS, FLOTUS, the VP and the Second Gentleman all walk into a bar ... much to the delight of a bunch of stunned patrons.
President Biden and his wife, Jill -- flanked by Kamala Harris, her husband, Doug, and some Secret Service agents, of course -- hit up the popular D.C. restaurant, Le Diplomate ... in a Memorial Day visit the White House says was unscheduled.
POTUS & FLOTUS at Le Diplomate! Featuring my mother who is visiting from out of town. I couldn’t have planned this better 😉 pic.twitter.com/pteGymaUU0
— Bettina Weiss (@bweiss22) May 31, 2021 @bweiss22
As you can see ... the diners weren't expecting such famous guests to be joining them for lunch, but everyone looked happy as heck about it.
Hey @PoPville, @VP sighting at Le Diplomate on 14th. pic.twitter.com/rjVjVwkUoY
— Ricardo Quinto (@RicardoAQuinto) May 31, 2021 @RicardoAQuinto
Earlier Monday, Biden and Harris and their spouses attended a wreath-laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery’s Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
Biden's Le Diplomate appearance is his first known sit-down visit to a restaurant as Prez, coming not long after the CDC lifted COVID-19 restrictions for those who are vaccinated.
BTW -- the French eatery is a known favorite of the First Lady's ... it even added her favorite dish as a menu special earlier this year after Biden was elected President.
Cheers!
related articles
President Biden Remember the Tulsa Race Massacre ... 100 Years Later
-
Breaking News
- 3.7K shares
President Biden's calling on Americans to reflect on one of the worst incidents of racial violence ever in our country in order to root out systemic racism ... 100 years after it happened.
The White House issued a proclamation acknowledging the Tulsa Race Massacre of 1921, in which a mob of white supremacists attacked a thriving Black neighborhood called Greenwood ... also known as Black Wall Street.
The massacre took place on May 31 and June 1, and as Biden states ... "Families and children were murdered in cold blood." As many as 300 Black Americans were killed as the white mob torched buildings, churches, businesses and homes ... destroying 35 square blocks of the district and leaving 10,000 Black people homeless.
The Prez says on this solemn anniversary, he's asking the American people to "reflect on the deep roots of racial terror in our Nation and recommit to the work of rooting out systemic racism across our country."
Though the Tulsa Race Massacre is one of the most horrific events in American history, it was mostly covered up and kept from the public for half a century. In fact, many hadn't even heard of it until the 2019 HBO series "Watchmen" included it as a storyline.
That's why on this Memorial Day -- a day to honor and mourn those who died serving in the military -- it's pretty significant for the POTUS to address a Memorial Day Weekend attack a century ago that has been so often overlooked.
related articles
Bill Maher Caitlyn, The Rock, Matt ... Not Smart Enough to Run for Office
Bill Maher has a message for all the celebs who are running for office or thinking about it ... "You're not good enough, you're not smart enough, and doggone it, it completely doesn't matter that people like you."
Maher's back after a mild COVID bout, with a blistering and, dare we say, dead-on attack. He's incredulous the likes of Caitlyn Jenner, The Rock and Matthew McConaughey, among others, are either running or seriously considering it.
Waiting for your permission to load the Instagram Media.
As for The Rock entertaining a run for President in 2024 ... Maher says the fact that he thinks he can tackle the hardest job in the world is proof he has poor judgment.
As for Caitlyn ... Bill calls her a "background character in a reality show not about her."
And, poor Randy Quaid thinking of running for Governor of California ... Bill calls him a "guy rooting through your recycling bin."
11/19/20
And, Matt thinking of becoming the Guv of Texas ... Bills says "not alright, alright, alright."
Mr. Maher seems in disbelief Americans are still all in with celeb candidates after 4 years of Trump.
Watch the clip ... it's funny, but also he has a serious point. Thank God B.M.'s back.
related articles
Lori Lightfoot Chicago Mayor Sued ... You Can't Freeze Out White Reporters
-
Exclusive
- 22.6K shares
12:40 PM PT -- A rep for Mayor Lightfoot tells us, "The City has not had the opportunity to review the complaint and has not yet been served."
Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot is playing favorites based on race ... so says a reporter in a new lawsuit claiming she denied his request for an interview simply because he's white.
Thomas Catenacci, a reporter with super conservative news outlet The Daily Caller, is suing the Mayor over her new interview policy ... she says she'll only grant one-on-one interviews from journalists of color.
According to new legal docs, obtained by TMZ, Catenacci claims he submitted an interview request May 20, followed up by another the next day and a third email 3 days later ... but got radio silence from Lightfoot's office. He claims Lightfoot has granted at least 1 interview request from a self-identified Latino reporter ... but his requests went unanswered.
The Mayor said she's sick and tired of looking at local media in Chicago that is pretty lily-white, so she's taking matters into her own hands and only granting 1-on-1's with people of color.
It's NOT sitting well with Catenacci ... who claims Lightfoot's policy is blatantly discriminatory and a violation of his rights -- specifically, Equal Protection under the law. He also thinks it's a violation of the First Amendment, which guarantees freedom of the press.
Catenacci is asking a judge to order Lightfoot to 86 her new policy.
We've reached out to Lightfoot's office, so far no word back.
Originally published -- 8:40 AM PT
related articles
Donald Trump Rips Prosecutors Over Grand Jury In His Criminal Probe
6:21 PM PT -- Trump just ripped prosecutors for convening a grand jury in his criminal probe ... he says the move is purely political.
In a statement, Trump says the probe is "being driven by highly partisan Democrat prosecutors" and he says it's just another witch hunt.
Trump adds ... "I will just have to keep on fighting like I have been for the last five years!"
Former President Donald Trump could soon be criminal defendant Trump ... prosecutors in New York have convened a grand jury that could indict him on criminal tax evasion and other charges related to the Trump org's business affairs.
The Manhattan district attorney recently convened the grand jury to hear evidence and weigh potential criminal charges against the former president ... according to the Washington Post. The grand jury will reportedly sit for 3 days a week over the next 6 months.
Prosecutors are said to be looking into Trump's business dealings before his 2016 election, including whether the Trump Organization manipulated the value of real estate properties to defraud insurance companies and banks.
The investigation was triggered by Michael Cohen's testimony before Congress about hush-money payments to Stormy Daniels. Cohen has supplied prosecutors with a boatload of documents.
Trump, meanwhile, has been keeping busy at his golf properties. The former Prez hit the links at his New Jersey course over the weekend, losing at least one ball into a manmade lake.
Originally Published -- 3:08 PM PT
related articles
George Floyd Family Visits Biden, White House ... 1 Year After Murder
One year after George Floyd's murder sparked nationwide protests against police brutality, his family's meeting with President Biden as Congress struggles to pass the police reform bill bearing George's name.
The Prez hosted Floyd's family at the White House Tuesday, and George's nephew, Brandon Williams, says Biden seemed sincere in wanting to know how the family's doing and how he can help.
Earlier today in the Oval Office, I met with George Floyd’s family. They’ve shown extraordinary courage over the last year, especially his young daughter Gianna, who I met again today. The day before her father’s funeral, she told me, “Daddy changed the world.”
— President Biden (@POTUS) May 25, 2021 @POTUS
He has. pic.twitter.com/gGIKqVIEFk
George's brother, Philonise Floyd, put pressure on lawmakers to pass police reform, saying if there are federal laws on the books to protect bald eagles, there should be laws to protect minorities.
We got more of Floyd's family on Capitol Hill, where they were accompanied by Lil Baby, and they told our photog it's the closest they've ever felt to meaningful change as they wait for reforms to pass.
George's daughter, Gianna, also showed us the coin she got from Speaker Nancy Pelosi -- her open invitation to return to the Capitol whenever she pleases.
As you know ... Floyd was killed on May 25, 2020 when Minneapolis PD officers were arresting him. Derek Chauvin, who kneeled on George's neck for more than 9 minutes ... was convicted of Floyd's murder last month.
Both Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris reacted to the guilty verdict by saying it would spark change in the country, and could help end systemic racism and make America a place where law enforcement treats everyone equally.
They also hoped it would lead to serious policing reform, with Biden pushing Congress to pass the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act -- which would create national policing standards, ban chokeholds and end legal protections for law enforcement against civil lawsuits -- by the 1-year anniversary of his death.
Obviously, it hasn't happened yet, because although the legislation passed in the House ... it's opposed by all Republicans in the 50/50 Senate.
related articles
Richard Marx Continues Mocking Rand Paul ... After Senator Accuses Him of Inciting Violence
If Senator Rand Paul wants to keep beefing with Richard Marx, it sure seems like the '80s hitmaker will be right here waiting for him ... on Twitter.
Marx is not taking a social media break after Paul publicly accused the singer of calling for violence against him, which the Senator suggested was the reason a suspicious, powder-filled letter was delivered to his home Monday.
If you missed it, Sen. Paul tweeted ... "I take these threats immensely seriously. As a repeated target of violence, it is reprehensible that Twitter allows C-list celebrities to encourage violence against me and my family."
Rand added ... "Just this weekend Richard Marx called for violence against me and now we receive this powder filled letter." BTW -- the authorities determined the substance in the package was non-toxic.
So, what did Marx say that got Paul so riled up? According to Marx, it was just a "wise-crack" about Rand's neighbor ... you know, the one who beat up Rand in 2017 over a reported landscaping dispute.
Marx tweeted on Sunday ... "I'll say it again: If I ever meet Rand Paul’s neighbor I’m going to hug him and buy him as many drinks as he can consume."
That was enough for the Senator to accuse the singer of inciting violence, but Marx is not backing down or apologizing for his initial tweet.
You know who actually put multiple people’s lives at potential risk? https://t.co/WyxuTka0Iz
— Richard Marx (@richardmarx) May 25, 2021 @richardmarx
Instead, he's publicly scoffing at the claim and pointing out all the ways he says Paul has put people at risk with his behavior during the COVID-19 pandemic ... including recently stating that he's against getting vaccinated.
Marx has also been responding to people saying he should be kicked off Twitter by sending links to stories of GOP figures -- including former President Trump -- allegedly inciting violence or being reckless with their words.
Shoulda known better, Richard ... Twitter is a helluva place.
related articles
Ruth Bader Ginsburg Leaves Most Everything to Kids And Housekeeper Too!!!
-
Exclusive
- 45K shares
Ruth Bader Ginsburg gave everything she had in her possession to her children and, interestingly enough, one of her trusted longtime employees ... TMZ has learned.
We've obtained a copy of the late Supreme Court Justice's will ... and it lays it out in precise detail who's getting what from her near $6 million estate. According to the docs, RBG is leaving the majority of her personal effects to her 2 kids, Jane and James Ginsburg, who she also made executors of her will.
Per the will, her personal property includes -- but isn't limited to -- any cars, furniture, books, art, sculptures, paintings, photographs, silver, porcelain, jewelry and clothes in her possession ... and all that stuff is lumped together and valued at $250,000.
She has other personal property that's worth about $5.5 million -- but there's no breakdown of what exactly that entails.
As for the third person in her life to receive a cut ... her housekeeper, Elizabeth Salas, to whom Justice Ginsburg left a cool $40,000 in cash. She was incredibly close to RBG, and even sat next to Biden when the Justice lay in state at the Capitol Rotunda last year. She reportedly worked for RBG for 22 years.
Keep in mind -- what's listed here is simply RBG's probate estate ... we don't know if she had other assets in a private trust separately.
She was 87 when she passed.
RIP
related articles
George Floyd Family to Visit White House ... Marking First Anniversary of Murder
George Floyd's family will travel to The White House Tuesday to meet with President Biden on the first anniversary of Floyd's murder ... this according to The Hill.
Biden has history with the family ... he spoke with them several times after Floyd's death. The visit coincides with Democrats trying to pass a bill bearing George Floyd's name ... a bill designed to reimagine policing in America.
It's unclear if the family will speak with members of Congress during their visit in support of the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act. Among other things, the bill would ban chokeholds by federal officers. It would also end qualified immunity ... which bars families of police abuse from filing civil suits. The bill is expected to pass the house, but prospects in the Senate are far less certain.
Although Derek Chauvin was convicted of murdering George Floyd, civil rights activists like Tamika Mallory say the trial can't be looked at as a solution to police abuse.
President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris seemed more optimistic about the impact of the verdict. Biden told Floyd's daughter, Gianna, her dad "changed the world."
related articles
Sen. Martin Heinrich NEW UFOs TOO ADVANCED FOR HUMANS
-
Exclusive
- 1.5K shares
Count Sen. Martin Heinrich among those who think there's something otherworldly about the UFO sightings in our skies ... he says the technology is too advanced for humans.
We got the Senator from New Mexico on Capitol Hill Wednesday and asked him about the UFO sightings pilots in the Armed Forces say are becoming very common.
Sen. Heinrich is definitely intrigued by the new UFO footage, telling us it's something Congress needs to investigate, because everything he's seeing tells him the crafts aren't being built or piloted by people.
It's interesting ... the Senator says if foreign governments had this kind of advanced technology, there would be other indications of their capabilities, and he says that's just not the case.
As we reported ... Sen. Marco Rubio says UFOs pose a risk to our national security and it's an issue that needs addressing. He says some senators aren't taking UFOs seriously, but Sen. Heinrich is definitely not in that boat.
It sounds like we could be closer to getting answers, Rubio's demanded a report on UFOs from the Pentagon that's expected to be made public in about a month, but in the meantime, Heinrich tells us why it's unlikely humans are responsible for what we're seeing.
related articles
President Biden Burns Out in New Ford Truck ... Makes Bad Hit & Run 'Joke' with Reporter
President Biden got behind the wheel of Ford's new all-electric truck, and while it's lightning fast -- his quick wit with a reporter missed the mark. Badly.
The Prez hit up the automaker's Rogue Electric Vehicle Center Tuesday in Dearborn, Michigan where Ford's F-150 Lightning pickup truck is being built, and test-driven ... by POTUS, at least for today.
Biden was rocking his trademark aviator shades when he hit the track, and took off like he was late for an Amtrak ride.
As he told reporters he was about to get the truck up to 80 MPH ... someone in the press corps asked if he'd answer a question about Israel.
Biden quickly responded, "No," and added a "joke" -- a really bad one -- about the reporter getting in front of the truck. He said he was teasing, but it's beyond cringe.
The test drive is part of the President's tour to promote American-made electric vehicles ... and it did look like he enjoyed the hell out of the Lightning, which has been in development for more than 4 years.
The new F-150 Lightning will reportedly be faster than the original F-150, and it's expected to go on sale by mid-2022.
Biden's no doubt a huge car aficionado. You'll recall back in 2016, as Veep, Biden joined Jay Leno's show and did a burnout in his 1967 Corvette Stingray ... with Leno riding shotgun.
Joe's clearly got a need for speed.