LeBron James Waving Stars & Stripes At Olympics ... Named Flag Bearer

LeBron James can add yet another accomplishment to his extensive résumé -- the Lakers superstar was just revealed as a flag bearer for the 2024 Paris Olympics ... becoming the first Team USA men's basketball player to receive the honor.

King James -- who was nominated by Stephen Curry and the rest of the national team -- got word of the selection on Monday ... and he said it's something he isn't taking lightly.

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A Great Honor
USA Basketball

"It's special in the fact that you get an opportunity to represent your country in another fashion," Bron said.

Montel Williams Willing to Vote for Ex-GF Kamala ... Tells Media to Back Off

update

7:16 AM PT -- Montel Williams just responded to our story, and he's now clarifying ... he'll vote for whoever can beat Donald Trump in November. If Dems decide that person should be Kamala Harris -- it sounds like he's prepared to back her up.

He also pointed out that he retweeted Gov. Moore's own endorsement of Kamala -- so on its face, it appears he is in fact endorsing her.

Montel Williams didn't endorse Kamala Harris for President after Joe Biden dropped out -- this even though they dated ... something he doesn't wanna talk about with the media.

Aubrey Plaza Tears ACL At WNBA All-Star Weekend ... Injured During 'Knockout' Contest

"Parks and Rec" star Aubrey Plaza entered WNBA All-Star Weekend with two healthy knees ... but she left it with just one after an unfortunate mishap amid all the festivities.

According to the All-Star Game's broadcaster, Ryan Ruocco, Plaza suffered a torn ACL while playing in a spirited game of "Knockout" at the Phoenix Mercury's practice facility just hours before Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese and A'ja Wilson tipped off their Team WNBA vs. Team USA exhibition clash.

Plaza still somehow mustered up the strength to catch the game at the Footprint Center ... although she needed an ice pack and a crutch to get through the night.

'THE SIMPSONS' WRITER Al JEAN BRAGS, We Predicted KAMALA'S Presidential Run!!!

"The Simpsons" writer Al Jean is boasting Kamala Harris' sudden emergence as the likely Democrat nominee for Prez is the latest in a string of pretty nutty predictions.

On Sunday, Al Jean posted on X ... showing a side-by-side pic of Lisa Simpson in a Kamala-like outfit from a 2021 episode, writing "@TheSimpsons "prediction" I'm proud to be a part of."

The 2021 episode, "Bart to the Future," shows Lisa becoming president -- the same year KH was sworn in as the first female VP of the United States.

Prince George All Grown Up in New Birthday Portrait ... Do We Spot a Taylor Swift Souvenir???

Prince George is all grown up in his newest photo ... which was dropped perfectly timed with his 11th birthday.

Prince William and Kate Middleton's oldest hit his latest milestone on Monday and the Prince and Princess of Wales celebrated the big day by issuing a black-and-white image of the future King wearing a sharp blazer. Though it wasn't all business for the young prince, as he sported a friendship bracelet in a larger version of the portrait uploaded to Instagram Stories.

Perhaps the bracelet is one leftover from Taylor Swift's London concert at Wembley Stadium in June??? Entirely likely, as Prince George met the pop star alongside his dad and sister.

Donald Trump Hits Joe Like A Piñata On Truth Social .... After Drop-Out News

Donald Trump continued to roast President Biden deep into the night Sunday over his decision to drop out of the 2024 race for the White House ... and it was harsh.

Trump -- the Republican presidential nominee -- took to Truth Social late Sunday to make wild, unsubstantiated claims about Biden ... while also mocking his cognitive issues.

In a series of posts ... Trump alleged on the social media platform that Biden never had COVID and that he was a threat to democracy.

Kobe Bryant Staples Locker To Hit Auction ... Could Fetch A Million!!!

Kobe Bryant fans have an opportunity to get their hands on a truly rare piece of memorabilia ... the Black Mamba's Staples Center locker -- and it could sell for over a million bucks!!

TMZ Sports has learned ... the locker -- which was set to be destroyed during renovations at the Staples Center in 2018 -- was saved by a maintenance worker who realized it belonged to the Hall of Famer.

The worker kept it in storage for years until an American collector, who had the locker nameplate, purchased it to reunite the two pieces.

Kamala Harris Favorite to Be Democratic Nominee ... PA Gov. For VP???

Joe Biden dropped out just hours ago ... but, oddsmakers never rest, and they've already released new betting lines for Democrat president and vice president picks.

BetOnline -- an offshore betting company -- has adjusted it's odd ... and, it's no surprise but they're picking Kamala Harris as the next Dem prez candidate -- with whopping 1 to 9 odds assuring her as a favorite.

If you don't know 1 to 9 here means you'd have to bet $900 to win $100 -- so, the betting site's pretty certain it's Kamala's job to lose.

Elton John Allegedly Peeing in Bottle in Store Inspires Copycats ... And the Owner is Pissed!!

Elton John supposedly relieving himself in a shoe store has had unintended consequences for those who run the joint ... let's just say they're seeing a lot of yellow around the building lately.

Sources with direct knowledge tell TMZ ... the story about Elton allegedly leaking in the shoe store from a couple weeks ago has unfortunately inspired copycats ... all of whom seem to be taking their cues from EJ -- either as a prank on the shop, or just to be pricks.

Among some of the follow-up urine instances we're told have taken place ... one person peed in a bottle inside the store -- just like Elton himself allegedly did -- while another took a leak on the store's front steps, which our sources say the owner is sure was a streaming ode to EJ.

TMZ STUDIOS 'STRANGE & SUSPICIOUS' Long-Haul Trucking Attracts Serial Killers

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HIDDEN KILLERS???
TMZ Studios

Serial killers limit the risk of capture by drifting from place to place and killing utter strangers ... so, what better profession to join than long-haul truck driving?

TMZ Studios' new show "Strange & Suspicious" dives into weird and sinister stories ... and, this time the team's breaking down the attraction of truck driving to those who hunt their fellow humans.

The "Strange & Suspicious" squad discusses the more than 400 murders authorities believe have been committed by truckers in the U.S.A. ... pointing out prostitute subculture and mental health issues truckers face contribute to the urge to kill for the predisposed.

Michael Vick My Daughter's A Football Star ... I'm Coaching Her!!!

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HAPPY FOR THEM
TMZSports.com

Quarterback DNA apparently runs thick in the Vick blood ... Michael Vick's daughter has become quite the football star -- and the former NFLer tells TMZ Sports he's helping her get even better!

Jada Vick received a scholarship to play flag football at Reinhardt University in Atlanta last year ... and when we got Mike out at LAX this week, he told us he's super proud of her.

The ex-Falcons signal-caller said he's been coaching up the 19-year-old, "trying to instill as much as I can" -- but he added she's been figuring out how to sling the pigskin like Pops "all on her own."

Donald Trump Wild Merch Boasting Assassination Survival Flying Off Etsy Shelves

Now that Donald Trump's supporters have breathed a sigh of relief after he survived an assassination attempt ... some have turned the historic moment into merchandise ... and the items are wild!

Here's the deal ... not long after DT was wounded by a gunman while at a Pennsylvania campaign rally ... a photo of a bloodied, but defiant Donald, snapped by Getty photog Anna Moneymaker went viral ... and now it's been plastered all over shirts, mugs ... and even bedsheets!

Etsy has been inundated with Trump assassination survival celebration merch ... and several items are almost sold out!

SEAN KANAN I'm Hearing 'COBRA KAI' SPIN-OFF Talk ... They Can Count Me In!!!

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BRINGING MIKE BACK
TMZ.com

Sean Kanan's been kicking it in the 'Karate Kid' universe for 35 years, and isn’t about to slow down -- 'cause he's got his ear to the ground with all the buzz around a potential "Cobra Kai" spin-off.

We caught up with Sean in West Hollywood, and the actor -- famous for playing villainous Mike Barnes in 1989’s "The Karate Kid Part III" -- tells us he's totally on board with a streaming spin-off if it gets the green light.

Sean reprised his role in 'CK' season 6, which just dropped, and he tells us he's been loving the chance to reconnect with the OG 'Karate Kid' crew, including Ralph Macchio and Billy Zabka.

'TRL Host' Damien Fahey 'Memba Him?!

Television host Damien Fahey was 22 years old when he shot to stardom hosting the afternoon MTV video countdown show "Total Request Live" after Carson Daly stepped down back in 2002.

He worked alongside popular and fellow 'TRL' hosts Vanessa Lachey and Lala Anthony and interviewed big celebs like Madonna and Vanessa Carlton!

While his 'TRL' run came to an end in 2008, his career continued to soar ... In 2009, he hosted "I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here" featuring controversial celebs at the time, Heidi Montag and Spencer Pratt.

Guess what he looks like now!

Van Jones Tears Up on CNN After Joe Biden Drops Out

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THIS IS LEADERSHIP
CNN

Van Jones could barely hold back tears after Joe Biden dropped out of the 2024 presidential campaign ... choking up with emotion live on CNN.

The political pundit hopped on the air following JB's surprise announcement Sunday morning to discuss the decision and the president's legacy ... and, check out the clip 'cause Van's personal connection to Biden's on display.

Jones compares Dems telling Biden to drop out with having to take a grandparents' keys away from them as they get older ... saying it's a fight the entire time, and leads to an emotional breakdown after.

President Biden I'm Not Running ... Vote For Kamala Instead!!!

Update

11:18 AM PT -- Mere minutes after dropping out of the race, President Biden has fully endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris in the 2024 presidential race ... saying picking her as his number 2 was the best decision he's made -- and asking Dems to come together to defeat Donald Trump.

President Biden is waving the white flag on his reelection bid ... dropping out of the race for the White House amid mounting pressure from within his own party.

POTUS announced Sunday he will not be at the top of the Democratic ticket in 2024 in a lengthy statement published to X ... saying it's in the best interests of the nation for him to step aside.

In the statement, Biden touts his administration's accomplishments ... citing a reivatalized economy, lower prescription drug costs and passed gun safety laws among other notable achievements.

Old news is old news!
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