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Thomas Matthew Crooks took in the lay of the land at the Donald Trump rally ... reportedly by flying a drone over the event before climbing a roof and opening fire.

The would-be assassin filmed aerial footage with the drone shortly before Trump took the stage ... law enforcement sources told the Wall Street Journal.

Crooks flew the drone along a pre-planned route ... suggesting Trump's shooter did a good amount of research at the site of the Butler, PA rally.

President Biden ain't throwing in the towel just yet -- 'cause top-level Dems are throwing another big fundraiser for him in the near future ... and David Letterman's going.

The news just came down from AP -- which says Hawaii Gov. Josh Green is hosting the shindig for Joe on July 29 out in Martha's Vineyard ... where they'll be hanging out at a private home that apparently belongs to a friend of Green's.

In terms of DL's involvement ... word is, he's set to headline the get-together -- so, in other words, he'll be the talent ... and probably moderate things as the emcee.

Jordin Sparks isn't feeling great about her chances to replace Katy Perry as a judge on "American Idol" ... but she's still open to a call, and even has a sense of how she'd do it.

We caught up with the 'Idol' alum in L.A., where she confirmed she was totally serious when she pitched herself as the new judge for season 23 -- and while she believes that fell on deaf ears ... she also says she'd still love to return to her 'Idol' roots.

Jordin says hiring someone like her to fill in for Katy makes sense in her mind -- 'cause she's been on the show and has the experience ... but of course, it ain't really her call.

Thomas Matthew Crooks' honor society membership seems to have been all for show -- because we now know that the dude didn't go to events ... and was unknown to members.

Sources with direct knowledge tell TMZ, TMC certainly was part of the local Phi Theta Kappa chapter at the Community College of Allegheny County -- but just on paper, because in terms of anyone knowing or interacting with him ... we're told that simply never happened.

We're told Thomas never attended any events or functions within the honor society as far as PTK brass is aware -- and more importantly ... we're told no one even knew this guy's name/face until it was reported in the media that he was a member of the org.

President Biden is currently fighting this third bout with COVID-19 -- and while some have speculated it'll mess with his brain power ... one doctor says that's likely not the case.

Here's the deal ... the 81-year-old POTUS was diagnosed with COVID again this week -- and in light of all the scrutiny about his mental acuity ... a fair amount of people have suggested JB could suffer "brain fog" and other symptoms that screw with one's ability to think clearly.

Of course, Biden's already under fire for what many consider mental lapses as it is -- but one expert who's in the field tells us folks need to slow their roll by pre-diagnosing Biden.

President Biden's cognitive chops have been a hot topic in the political arena -- and Rep. Seth Moulton has just stoked the flames with his worrying account of their last hangout.

The Democratic congressman dropped a bombshell from last month's D-Day anniversary meetup in France ... writing in a Boston Globe op-ed Friday that Biden seemed to forget who he was during the event, even though they’ve crossed paths plenty of times ... heck, Moulton even competed against him in the 2020 primaries.

Seth's kept it real, acknowledging memory slips can happen to anyone -- but notes the Prez ain't no average Joe ... and after rewatching his shaky debate against Trump, he’s connecting the dots and thinks his forgetfulness is, in fact, a bigger issue.

Joy Behar's Sunday schooling Donald Trump on live TV ... slamming the former prez for claiming God was watching out for him during the attempt on his life.

The 'View' cohost ripped the 45th president's RNC speech Friday -- her show's 6,000th episode -- and said it wasn't very Christian of him to say God was watching over him while, just feet away, another man ended up dead.

Check out the clip, Joy -- who says she grew up Catholic -- claims it's not proper for Christians to say God's looking out specifically for them because it's "narcissistic."

Donald Trump’s a bad man for popping right back up after an assassination attempt, says Mark Zuckerberg … though he’s stopping short of giving him an endorsement.

The tech guru discussed the 45th POTUS taking a bullet at his Pennsylvania Rally in a Bloomberg interview published Thursday  … adding the dude’s a straight-up “badass.”

MZ says it wasn't just him hopping back up … but the visual of DJT pumping his fist while the American flag waved in the background really struck the Facebook founder. Zuck adds it’s not about politics, but instead speaks to his inherent patriotism.

President Biden's reportedly talking to his family about dropping out of the presidential race -- but that's news to his campaign team, which insists their guy's not going anywhere.

NBC News reports the First Family's talking about possible plans for POTUS to make a hasty exit ... saying the overall tone of the discussions is about having a concrete plan in place so Biden can bow out without ruining Democrats' chances to beat Donald Trump.

Among their considerations ... his health, his family and the country's stability. Biden reportedly wants to end his bid in his own time, too -- so don't expect him to rush an announcement.

Jimmy Fallon crapped on President Joe Biden in his opening monologue -- cracking jokes about the Prez's COVID news ... and questioning if Round 2 in the Oval Office is in store.

The 'Tonight Show' host made some jokes at JB's expense on Thursday's episode -- saying POTUS was lucky he couldn't spread his diagnosis ... especially since Democrats had already been distancing themselves from him after that debate debacle with Trump.

JF didn't stop there ... adding, "Thankfully, Biden is expected to make a full recovery, and his doctor said that he'll be back to 60% in no time." Obviously, he's referring to questions about Joe's cognitive abilities for a second term.

Melania Trump did the unthinkable at the Republican National Convention -- she actually showed some affection to her hubby Donald Trump ... but it's up for debate if she actually kissed him.

The former First Lady was on hand in the flesh Thursday in Milwaukee for the final night of the convention ... which saw DT deliver a VERY long speech to cap off the event, for which she was present to witness first-hand ... a surprise cameo that not many really expected.

Melania looked great and smiled/waved like she has in the past -- but the shocking part was what she did after Donald's remarks ... joining him onstage and, at least, going in for a kiss.

Donald Trump just accepted the GOP nomination for President at the Republican National Convention -- and he recounted the attempted assassination ... a sobering moment, indeed.

45 took the stage Thursday in Milwaukee -- where he capped a week's-worth of speeches and appearances all in anticipation of saying, yes ... I'll be your guy heading into the November election. Of course, everyone was anticipating what he would say about Saturday.

Trump took a fair amount of time to reflect on the life-death situation ... and he was genuinely humbled, saying God was on his side and that he shouldn't be here today.

Donald Trump's securing the 'W' over President Biden in at least one arena, months ahead of the election ... but hold your horses, it's a bit of a plastic victory!

NY's celeb hotspot of The Hamptons is home to a gift store called The Monogram Shop, and it might've just forecast how Election Day shakes out ... via these branded cups it's hawking. They've got branded cups for Biden and Trump, but apparently, more MAGA types are in town to quench their thirst.

As you can see, the shop owners have been flaunting signs in the window from their latest cup wars ... proving Donald is, uhh ... trumping Joe, so far, anyway.

Right after President Biden tested positive for the coronavirus -- he was being whisked away by his team ... and yes, he was wearing a mask ... which you can now see on camera.

Check out this video of the 46th Prez with a face mask over his nose and mouth while being chauffeured in a motorcade after he gave his address Wednesday at the NAACP Convention in Las Vegas.

It was shot by Giovanni Falcone ... and this was filmed around 3 PM Wednesday, not long after word of Biden's COVID diagnosis went around in the media. We're told he appeared to be heading toward the airport ... which makes sense, 'cause his team said he was going to Delaware.

Hulk Hogan is gearing up to back Donald Trump at the RNC with all the enthusiasm of a wrestling match -- 'cause he thinks he needs his support now more than ever.

Sources with direct knowledge tell TMZ Hulk's been buddies with Trump for years, and he believes there's no better time than right now to pull through for him than at the RNC in Milwaukee Thursday evening ... where we're told HH is set to address the crowd.

We're told Hulk views himself as a red, white, and blue-blooded American through and through -- and that he loves country ... which is why he's all in on making a case for his MAGA-touting buddy.

Claudia Conway's asking her dad to show her the money ... or, at least explain where it went -- 'cause she just cracked a joke online asking where her college tuition's at.

The daughter of former Senior Advisor to Donald Trump, Kellyanne Conway and lawyer/activist George Conway fired off a post on X at her father who shared a pic of a check for $343,434.34 to an anti-Trump political action committee.

GC says he's donating the money -- a series of "34" to reflect the number of counts Trump was convicted on in the Stormy Daniels hush money trial -- because of DT's "psychological condition" ... but, CC's focused on the green.