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A man known in social justice circles has claimed to have helped with the release of two American hostages amid the Israel-Hamas conflict -- but the family's calling BS.

Shaun King has been trending all weekend over a post he threw up Friday -- which seemed to be him taking credit, at least in part, for the safe return of Judith Raanan and her teenage daughter, Natalie Raanan.

King said he was grateful Natalie and her mother had been freed, adding ... "As I said last week, Natalie and her family have been supporters of mine and have protested police violence in America alongside us."

He continued, "I am also thankful for the Qatari government for helping to negotiate this. Dozens of us worked frantically behind the scenes to help make this possible."

King finished by saying ... "I spoke to Natalie's family this afternoon and they are anxiously awaiting more updates."

Well, his version of events apparently doesn't quite align with what the Raanan family's aware of -- 'cause they're saying they straight up don't know this guy. The family released a statement, saying ... "Today we came across bizarre posts on the Instagram page of one Shaun King, who turns out to have millions of followers, who claims that our relative Natalie Raanan supports the anti-Israeli messages he uploads to his page."

The family goes on ... "First and foremost, we make it clear that he is lying! Our family does not and did not have anything to do with him, neither directly nor indirectly. Not to him and not to anything he claims to represent." They go on to say Natalie has never met Shaun, and she first learned about him today amid all the speculation ... of which there's been much.

The Raanan family says folks shouldn't buy what King's selling ... and that his claims amount to misinformation -- which they say is spreading like wildfire. They also note they have more family members and loved ones in captivity that they're working to have released.

Now, as for King ... he's already defending himself by now sharing who exactly he spoke with -- and as it turns out, he says it was a brother of Natalie's ... going to post receipts of conversations he says he had with the guy, detailing his efforts to have her freed.

He also claims he just spoke to the Raanan family -- presumably the same people who released this blistering statement -- and insists they're being forced to distance themselves from him. So, at this point ... there seems to be conflicting accounts over what's going on.

Taylor Swift's 'Eras' film got torched by a critic who likened her movie to the downfall of society as we know it -- and all we can say about this over-the-top piece is ... holy crap.

This critique -- which is now going viral, for all the wrong reasons -- comes courtesy of Armond White of the National Review ... which is a well-known conservative outlet, so keep that in mind as we guide you through this nonsense.

White does a full-blown sociological examination of the 'Eras Tour' flick, as he sees it -- and you can tell how he views things from his headline and subheading ... "Taylor Swift's Asylum Seekers ... A movie concert promotes post-Madonna, post-Obama mind control."

You can read it all for yourself, but here's one excerpt that's getting mocked ... "The Swift circus doesn’t replace the thrill of originality and profundity that accompanied the advent of the Beatles, the Rolling Stones, the Supremes, the Jackson Five, which Gen Z knows nothing about. Instead, Swift specializes in degraded girl-pop -- teenage solipsism, the silliness that kids will ideally outgrow. Yet her songs corrupt puppy love into jejune sophistication."

He then compares the movie's director, Sam Wrench, to Nazi propagandist Leni Riefenstahl ... namely, making Taylor's concerts far more grand/aesthetically pleasing than they actually are in person, the way Riefenstahl did for Hitler -- at least that seems to be White's POV.

Not just this, but White actually tries to juxtapose Swfities innocently dancing in theaters to mass shooter James Holmes, intimating a connection by writing ... "The teens in TikTok clips who pitifully bounce and sing along with the film’s pre-recorded concert are the flip side of those nerds and sociopaths who lined up for 'The Dark Knight Rises' in Aurora, Colo."

If that sounds unhinged, that's because it is ... that's certainly how Twitter feels about it, anyway. They're unloading on White's hyperbole over something as benign as a concert film.

He ends his scorched-earth review this way ... "Boomer parents may want to let them have their fun — same as toying with matches and playing in the traffic. But here’s a frightening fact of the Swifties pheenom: These kids seem ready for a leader, anxious for totalitarianism. It will take a counterrevolution to repair Swift’s moral, aesthetic, and political damage."

FWIW, White is very much a man apart here ... 'cause just about every other film critic (big and small) has praised the 'Eras' movie for being what it is -- a wholesome, good time.

Ryan Reynolds and Mandy Moore think their union's rules over Halloween costumes this year are absurd -- which has forced SAG-AFTRA to clarify what they mean ... if only a bit.

The two actors are among the most famous faces to be calling out SAG's demand this week that their members refrain from dressing up as characters from struck movies or shows ... this as they enter their 100th day of picketing amid yet another stalemate in negotiations.

On Wednesday, SAG issued new guidelines about getups they would consider forbidden -- especially ones that actors might want to throw up on IG. Rather than dress as specific characters from splashy titles this year -- "Barbie," obviously -- SAG recommends choosing generic 'stumes ... like ghosts, zombies, spiders, etc. That, or animated TV show characters.

In response to the harsh restrictions, MM and RR fired away. Mandy wrote, "Is this a joke? Come on @sagaftra. This is what’s important? We’re asking you to negotiate in good faith on our behalf. So many folks across every aspect of this industry have been sacrificing mightily for months. Get back to the table and get a fair deal so everyone can get back to work."

Ryan had his own critique ... jokingly writing about his daughter, James -- "I look forward to screaming 'scab' at my 8 year old all night. She’s not in the union but she needs to learn."

More so in response to Ryan's sentiment, SAG has cleared up exactly who these "rules" apply to -- and it ain't the little ones. They say, "SAG-AFTRA issued Halloween guidance in response to questions from content creators and members about how to support the strike during this festive season. This was meant to help them avoid promoting struck work, and it is the latest in a series of guidelines we have issued. It does not apply to anyone’s kids."

They added, "We are on strike for important reasons, and have been for nearly 100 days. Our number one priority remains getting the studios back to the negotiating table so we can get a fair deal for our members, and finally put our industry back to work."

12:57 PM PT -- A rep for Cher reiterated her denial about the kidnapping claim to TMZ, telling us ... "Not true thanks for checking."

Cher says she had nothing to do with the alleged "kidnapping" of her adult son -- this despite the fact her daughter-in-law has claimed the whole thing was orchestrated by mom.

The singer was asked point blank about this by the New York Post, which did a new interview with her chronicling her career and legacy. During the chat, they brought up this bizarre story that surfaced last month ... courtesy of Marieangela King (aka Queenie).

In recent court docs pertaining to her ongoing divorce from Cher's son, Elijah Blue Allman, King made a startling allegation ... namely, that Cher supposedly had Elijah forcibly taken from his hotel room in late 2022 ... this while he and MK were attempting to reconcile.

Per Daily Mail, Elijah had been staying at a hotel in L.A. for several months at the time -- allegedly battling substance abuse -- when this staged abduction/intervention took place ... so says King in a declaration she made in court. She claims that, as they were talking in his room, four men stormed in and snatched Elijah against his will ... dragging him away.

King alleges that one of the men revealed to her that Elijah's mom, Cher, had actually hired them -- adding in her court paperwork, "I am currently unaware of my husband’s wellbeing or whereabouts. I am very concerned and worried about him." She also said she believed he was at a rehab facility at an undisclosed location ... without access to his phone.

Now, one month after all these revelations surfaced ... Cher is outright denying any involvement. She told the Post, "I didn’t do it, and if I did it, I wouldn’t say I did it."

She adds, "You never stop being a mom -- you go to the end, you go to the mattresses when you’re trying to save your children. But I didn’t do it. And if I did it, I wouldn’t care to tell you." Interestingly, this echoes what she told People about 2 weeks ago.

At the time, she said ... "I’m a mother. This is my job -- one way or another, to try to help my children. You do anything for your children. Whenever you can help them, you just do it because that’s what being a mother is. But it’s joy, even with heartache -- mostly, when you think of your children, you just smile and you love them, and you try to be there for them."

FWIW ... Elijah's father, Gregg Allman, died in 2017 from complications tied to liver cancer. Also, we've reached out to Cher's team for further comment -- so far, no word back.

Emily Blunt is apologizing for insulting an anonymous waitress on TV more than a decade ago -- this after social media resurfaced a clip of her mocking the woman's weight.

The actress issued a full-throated mea culpa to People Mag -- acknowledging a clip from an appearance she made on the 'Jonathan Ross Show' in 2012 ... when she was plugging "Looper" and yukking it up with the host.

At one point, Ross jokes about Americans being "enormous" at Chili's ... citing the size of burgers they get served/eat. Emily laughs and adds her own anecdote to it -- saying a Chili's server who was waiting on her during the filming of "Looper" was, indeed, humongous.

EB recreates the convo, playing up the woman's Southern accent ... and noting that this lady actually recognized Emily. It was mostly light-hearted -- but Twitter wasn't having it. Countless users accused her of fat-shaming ... and, per usual, demanded accountability.

Of course, Emily caved ... saying, "I just need to address this head on as my jaw was on the floor watching this clip from 12-years ago. I’m appalled that I would say something so insensitive, hurtful, and unrelated to whatever story I was trying to tell on a talk show."

She adds, "I’ve always considered myself someone who wouldn’t dream of upsetting anyone so whatever possessed me to say anything like this in that moment is unrecognizable to me or anything I stand for. And yet it happened, and I said it and I’m so sorry for any hurt caused. I was absolutely old enough to know better."

Rod Wave is dedicated to his art -- so much so, in fact, that he recreated a perilous leap from a window live onstage for all his fans ... although, it's quite clear they didn't want this.

The rapper was performing in Lincoln, Nebraska Thursday ... and at one point in his sold-out show, he decided to play stuntman right then and there in front of everyone -- climbing on top of a set piece and reenacting something he did in one of his music videos.

Watch ... the dude scales the side of a fake building, going up the fire escape and eventually standing on the rail -- with his back turned to the audience. Guess what happens next!

RW goes crashing toward the ground below ... dropping like a sack of potatoes and eventually tearing through the stage floor itself. Indeed, it's pretty damn dramatic. It stunned the audience -- and even from the crowd, you can hear folks telling him not to do it.

The videos cut out before we can see what happens next -- but, presumably, he's alright ... on account of the fact that he was performing in Minnesota last night and is posting pics on his IG page. All's well that ends well, we suppose -- but damn, this was dangerous.

BTW, this whole fall-from-the-window thing is straight out of his music video for "Come See Me" ... which is the song that was playing when he did this. So, a little life imitating art.

Kim Kardashian was the epitome of sex appeal for her 43rd birthday bash in L.A. Friday night, ringing in her big night with Hollywood's elite and her famous fam.

KK cut an amazing figure in her seductive fire-red dress with bikini laces and cool black sunglasses as she sauntered inside posh Funke restaurant in Bev Hills ... aka the hottest restaurant in town.

The Skims mogul made her grand entrance flanked by security and sis Khloe, who also looked incredible in her all-white form-fitting minidress.

The other Kardashians -- Kendall, Kylie and Kris -- didn't look too shabby either. Kendall squeezed into her tight, shiny leopard-skin gown, while Kylie and Kris wore shapely black getups.

Of course, the guest list was chock-full of bold-faced names ... such as Lauren Sanchez, Hailey Bieber, Ivanka Trump, Laura Arrillaga-Andreessen, Sara Foster and Kimora Lee.

KK’s childhood best friends were all there including Allison Statter -- as were Steph Shepherd, Tracy Romulus, Natalie Halcro, Olivia Pierson and Shelly Azoff, and Khloe's BFFs Malika and Khadijah Haqq.

Everybody looked like a million bucks as they piled onto the eatery's stunning Parisian-inspired rooftop, which was rented out for Kim's private celebration.

To satisfy their taste buds, they all got to enjoy a menu fit for a queen. Check out some of the dinner options ... Branzino Alla Brace (Mediterranean Seabass), Gemelli (Ragu Bolognese), Melanzane Alla Parmigiana (Heirloom Eggplant), Pollo Al Mattone (Roasted Heritage Chicken) and Mezza Maniche Cacio E Pepe (Black Pepper & Pecorino Romano Pasta).

And to top it off, there were 2 desserts ... Torta Di Gianduja (Letterpress Chocolate Trufflebert farm Hazelnuts) and Galette Di Fruitta Di Bosco (Farmers Market Fruit Crema Di Mandorle).

As we said, the supper was fit for queen. By the way, kuddos to Khloe and Kim's bestie Allison for hosting the memorable night.

Tom Brady and Irina Shayk are no more ... calling it quits on their brief, but super attractive romance.

Sources connected to the former pair tell TMZ the two eventually "fizzled out" after some time together, no drama or scandal ... it just came to an end. The signs have been on the wall recently that things were likely over ... as each has spent a lot of time in separate cities.

Earlier this week, Tom was spotted in Miami and Irina was in New York. Obviously, it's a quick flight ... but the fact we haven't seen them together is a telling sign.

It was back in July and August when things really heated up between the two -- she spent the night at his place in Los Angeles, got affectionate in his car and even took a trip overseas ... spotted coming out of the same London hotel.

Some started to wonder if Irina had gotten back together with her ex, Bradley Cooper, early last month when she posted a pic of him on social media.

At the time, sources told us Irina and Tom were still together ... and don't forget, she's got a kid with Cooper, so they maintain a level of friendship.

So while Tom and Irina may be donezo, something tells us neither of them will have a problem lining their next partner up ... it's a whole lot easier when you're both rich and really, really good-looking.

An accused con man came up with a bizarre, yet hilarious scheme to get out of paying his restaurant tabs ... he faked heart attacks on TWENTY occasions!!!!

The alleged scam artist, identified as Aidas J., took on a "typical Russian tourist" persona as he hit various eateries in Alicante, Spain, where he moved from his home in Lithuania, according to news reports. He would then go about swindling the establishments.

In his latest grift, Aidas sat down in El Buen Comer and ordered a seafood dish and two whiskies.

After he knocked it all back, he tried to slip out the door without paying. But an eagle-eyed employee blocked him and demanded he pay the $36.80.

Aidas said he needed to get the money from his hotel room, but, when that excuse didn't fly, he pretended to be sick and slumped to the floor.

Of course, the staff was dubious and contacted the police. Responding officers immediately recognized Aidas as the notorious scammer whose been arrested numerous times for the same hijinks.

Aidas was arrested for the unpaid $36 bill and hauled off to the police station. Usually, he spends a few days in jail and then he's back out doing his thing.

Former Major League Baseball pitcher Danny Serafini is in some MAJOR trouble ... 'cause he just got arrested for serious felonies!!

Serafini and his alleged accomplice, Samantha Scott, were busted in Nevada Friday for the 2021 fatal shooting of Robert Gary Spohr and attempted murder of Wendy Wood.

Cops said the victims were Serafini's in-laws, but they wouldn't characterize the relationship between the ex-Minnesota Twins player and Scott.

According to a June 2021 press release, officers were called to a home in North Lake Tahoe, California, and discovered Spohr had been shot to death.

His wife, Wendy, suffered a bullet wound in the same attack and was rushed to a local hospital, where she was released after treatment. She passed away a year later.

Security video from their house shows a hooded masked man with a backpack lurking around the property in the hours before the bloodshed. Investigators have not disclosed a motive, and formal charges have yet to be filed against Serafini and Scott.

Meryl Streep and her husband, Don Gummer, have been living separate lives for six years.

The Oscar-winning actress and her sculptor spouse "will always care for each other," even though "they have chosen lives apart,” according to a statement obtained by the New York Post. The couple has not filed for divorce, as far as we know.

Streep was spotted wearing her wedding band Monday as she attended the Princesa de Asturias Awards 2023 in Spain. But Gummer was not by her side and the last time they were seen together was at the 2018 Academy Awards.

In 1978, the two met through Streep's brother after her boyfriend, John Cazale, had died from lung cancer. The pair got married soon after, but in recent years, they have kept their relationship under the radar.

They own 3 beautiful, sprawling homes in Connecticut, NYC and Pasadena, California.

Bill Maher has an urgent message for kids who are considering college -- DON'T GO ... and if you must, avoid Harvard at all costs because it will turn you into an idiot.

The 'Real Time' host unloaded on elite colleges, which have lost their tolerance for ideas that don't check the "right" boxes.

He, of course, raised the war currently raging in the Middle East, where the prevailing view on college campuses is to excuse and/or ignore the worst terrorism since the Holocaust and support Hamas. He noted 34 student groups at Harvard signed a petition condemning Israel, and 5 groups retracted their support, saying they didn't read the petition carefully enough.

Bill calls Harvard and other elite schools a daycare center where the toddlers can fire the adults. Of course, the President of Harvard and the other schools have approached the war and other issues with deafening silence.

But boy, did BM go in on Harvard, saying if ignorance were a disease, Harvard Yard would be the Wuhan Wet Market.

And then he ticks off a list of Harvard grads, including Ted Cruz, Ron DeSantis, Pat Robertson, Tom Cotton, Jared Kushner, Steve Bannon, George W. Bush, calling them eminently face-punchable!

Rams receiver Demarcus Robinson was robbed at gunpoint in Los Angeles on Friday morning ... and cops say they were told the brazen thieves made off with over $100K worth of jewelry.

Law enforcement sources tell TMZ Sports ... officers responded to calls of a robbery outside a Los Angeles area hotel just after midnight.

Cops were told two men approached the 29-year-old football player, pointed firearms at him ... and demanded he hand over his valuables -- which included a pricey watch.

Our sources say Robinson obliged ... and the thieves took off. Thankfully, the wideout is said to now be doing OK despite the circumstances.

Cops say they've launched an investigation into the matter ... though, so far, no arrests have been made.

Robinson began his career with the Kansas City Chiefs in 2016 and helped Patrick Mahomes win Super Bowl LIV in 2020. He joined the Rams this offseason -- but he's yet to record a catch through five games.

The Houston Astros and Texas Rangers nearly got into a bench-clearing brawl after a beanball incident during the 8th inning of their Friday night championship game.

The teams were going head-to-head in Game 5 of the American League Championship Series when Houston relief pitcher Bryan Abreu wound up and hurled a 98.9 mile-per-hour fastball, striking Rangers batter Adolis Garcia in his left arm.

Check out this video posted on X ... Garcia looks furious as he pushes Houston catcher Martín Maldonado, while the umpire gets between them.

Both teams then pour onto the field and run toward each other, gathering in one big heap near home plate.

The players start yelling and shoving one another, but the tense situation never escalates into a full-scale fight.

Still, Garcia continues to blow off steam as his teammates hold him back -- and eventually escort him off Globe Life Field in Arlington, TX.

The umpires ejected three people: Abreu, Garcia and Astros manager Dusty Baker.

When the game resumed, the Astros went on to beat the Rangers 5-4. The Astros now hold a 3-2 lead in the series as they travel back to Houston for Game 6.

Taryn Manning and her makeup artist are adding to their list of bizarre incidents ... this time, Holly Hartman was arrested for driving Taryn's car, which had been reported stolen.

Law enforcement tells TMZ ... Holly was taken into custody Wednesday morning in West Hollywood after sheriff's deputies pulled her over and discovered the 2004 Chrysler Crossfire she was driving was hot.

We're told deputies called Taryn, who would only tell them the car belonged to her ... and she refused to indicate whether she wanted to press charges against Holly.

The case, we're told, will now be sent to the Los Angeles County District Attorney's office for possible criminal charges.

It's unclear when the car was reported stolen ... but we're told the report originated in Palm Springs, which is a pretty long drive from WeHo.

Taryn and Holly have a rocky history. Although they've been close for many years, Taryn was arrested for allegedly attacking Holly in 2012, though the charges were eventually dropped.

Britney's book is proving to be explosive, and it's breaking pre-sales records ... also, Kim K could have ended up as a juror in a murder case -- crazy! So we gotta ask ...