Charles Barkley WNBA's Fumbling W/ Caitlin Clark ... Thanks To Players' 'Petty Jealousness'

Charles Barkley believes Caitlin Clark is being grossly mistreated by her fellow WNBA players so far in her career ... and he's chalking it all up to "petty jealousness."

The Chuckster teed off on the current state of the W during an interview with Bill Simmons this week ... claiming despite all Clark has done for the organization, her peers are dropping the ball by being grade-A haters.

"These ladies, and I'm a WNBA fan, they cannot have f***ed this Caitlin Clark thing up any worse if they tried," the Hall of Famer said.

Orlando Police Department Sued Over-The-Top SWAT Raid For Bogus Child Porn Claims ... Florida Couple Claims

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DRAMATIC RAID FOOTAGE

update

1:55 PM PT -- The Orlando Police Department tells TMZ ... "While OPD is unable to comment on this case, due to pending litigation, it is important to note that cases of this nature do not always lead to criminal charges."

OPD says they take "all tips and allegations of child abuse seriously" and "investigators assigned to the Internet Crimes Against Children Unit (ICAC) act within the full force of the law to ensure the safety of vulnerable and exploited children."

Cops add ... "Search warrants, which are reviewed by an independent judge for probable cause, are an important tool used by investigators to determine whether or not the evidence incriminates or exonerates the accused."

A couple in Florida is suing the Orlando Police Department for what they say was a bogus SWAT raid at their home, stemming from false allegations of child porn ... and they say cops kept their baby for hours in a soiled diaper.

According to a new lawsuit, obtained by TMZ, Christian and Laurie Ann Campbell claim OPD raided their home back in August 2020 based on false info that they were child molesters.

TMZ obtained video of the raid, and there's a massive police response ... and the sheer number of officers involved here is almost comical.

Katy Perry Dr. Luke Is 1 of Many I Worked With!!!

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IT COMES FROM ME
Call Her Daddy / Spotify

Katy Perry has defended her decision to involve Dr. Luke in her upcoming album ... noting the music producer was one of many to help bring the new project to life.

The singer was asked to address the controversy on Alex Cooper's "Call Her Daddy" podcast after fans called her out for working with him again ... after his lengthy legal battle with Kesha -- who infamously accused DL of rape and abuse years ago.

For the record, Dr. Luke has vehemently denied the allegations and even sued Kesha for defamation. Luke and Kesha agreed on a settlement last year.

'The Bachelorette' Season Finale Jenn Tran Starts Crying ... After Devin Strader Kicks Her To The Curb

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TEAR-FILLED FINALE
ABC

Tuesday's season finale of "The Bachelorette" had a disastrous conclusion as Jenn Tran broke down in tears as she described how she was ultimately dumped by her suitor Devin Strader.

The drama unfolded when Tran came out onstage and sat down with host Jesse Palmer for ABC's 3-hour Bachelorette finale – after JP announced to the audience there was no happy ending in this love story.

Tran described what happened, saying after she and Strader had gotten engaged in Hawaii, she felt as if it was the happiest time in her life.

Donald Trump Sometimes Regret My Social Posts ... After Oral Sex Reposts

Donald Trump's sharing some cyber regrets ... admitting he sometimes wishes he didn't post a few of the more brutal "truths" to social media -- but, it ain't very often.

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REPOST REGRET
Lex Fridman Podcast

The Republican nominee for president sat down for an interview on Lex Fridman's podcast Tuesday ... and, Lex asked him if he ever thinks twice about firing off some of his raw thoughts on Truth Social.

DJT replies he does have some regrets ... but, only every once in a while. So, don't think for a sec 45's rethinking every controversial tweet -- or Truths, as posts on Truth Social (the site he owns) are called.

Rachael Ray Fans Concerned for Her Health After Appearing to Slur Words in New Vid

Rachael Ray is sparking concern for her health after seeming to slur her words in a new video shared on social media.

The TV chef shared a clip from her show, "Rachael Ray in Tuscany," on Instagram Monday, where she opened up about the time she nearly killed late singer Tony Bennett during one memorable dinner ... blaming her overzealous cleaning style for causing the crooner to slip and fall.

Waiting for your permission to load the Instagram Media.

Despite the captivating tale, fans were preoccupied with her speaking style in the clip ... as Rachael appeared to struggle to get the story out, with many of her words slurring together.

Gigi Hadid and Bradley Cooper All Aboard The Love Boat

Gigi Hadid and Bradley Cooper are living it up on a yacht off the coast of Italy ... and they're mixing romance with family time.

The actor and supermodel are floating around the Mediterranean on a big boat ... lathering each other up with sun tan oil and packing on the PDA with hugs and kisses.

Gigi and Bradley don't have the yacht all to themselves though ... his 7-year-old daughter Lea De Seine was onboard too ... Bradley co-parents her with Russian model Irina Shayk.

The three amigos shared a banana boat ride together, with Lea up front, Gigi in the middle and Bradley acting as the caboose.

Bradley soaked up the sun in some olive green swim trunks and Gigi showed off her runway-ready figure in a skimpy black and white bikini.

There were a few smooches and warm embraces on the deck ... but they didn't go full "Titanic."

The couple tooled around in a smaller boat too, and Gigi took a dip to cool off.

Who says summer's over?!?

Barstool's Dave Portnoy I'd 'Never' Run For Political Office ... Actually Want To Help!!!

His nickname might be El Presidente, but don't expect to see Dave Portnoy on a ballot anytime soon ... 'cause the Barstool Sports founder says there's a ZERO percent chance he ever runs for political office.

Portnoy -- who is passionate about his views on social media -- was asked about the possibility of getting into government on the most recent episode of "The Resilient Life" with Ryan Manion ... and despite admitting he's entertained the idea in the past, he's adamant that's as far as he'll go.

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NOT RUNNING FOR OFFICE
The Resilient Life

"Never," Portnoy said. "I've thought about it. I get so mad, but I'm a firm believer you can get a lot more done not in political office."

Ranjit The Limo Chauffeur In 'How I Met Your Mother' 'Memba Him?!

Iranian-American actor Marshall Manesh first started playing Ranjit -- the former New York City taxi driver turned limo chauffeur with no driver's license -- on CBS' sitcom "How I Met Your Mother" in 2005.

Marshall was part of an ensemble cast including Josh Radnor as the hopeless romantic and former architect and professor, Ted, Neil Patrick Harris as Ted's bestie and womanizer always rockin' a suit, Barney and Cobie Smulders as the sarcastic and rigid news anchor from Canada, Robin.

Other worthy cast mentions include Alyson Hannigan as Lily and Jason Segel as Marshall

Guess what he looks like now!

Justin Theroux I'm Engaged, But ... I Feel Protective Over Ex-Wife Jen

Justin Theroux just got engaged to his actress girlfriend but he's still talking about his much more famous ex-wife Jennifer Aniston ... admitting he still feels "protective" of her.

The "Beetlejuice Beetlejuice" star sat down for a new interview with the Times and said Jen's recent beef with Donald Trump's running mate J.D. Vance had him in his feelings over his ex.

Justin told the Times of Jennifer ... "She is still very dear to me so, of course, yeah, I feel protective."

He was responding to questions about Jennifer's public spat with J.D. over Vance's controversial childless cat lady remarks.

Justin added ... "But she batted back criticism, as well she should."

Unclear how the interview is going to go over with Justin's new fiancée Nicole Brydon Bloom ... they just got engaged last month in Italy during his promotional run for his new movie.

Justin and Jennifer got hitched way back in 2015 but divorced in 2018 ... and it seems Jennifer's still got a place in Justin's heart.

Ben Affleck Wicked Pissed Over Kick Kennedy Romance Rumor!!!

Ben Affleck is letting the ongoing chatter about his personal life get to him ... and is particularly frustrated with one rumor -- involving Kick Kennedy -- that just won't die.

Sources with direct knowledge tell TMZ … Ben finds the narrative that he’s dating -- or even friends with -- Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s daughter ludicrous and crazy.

Remember, after Ben's estranged wife, Jennifer Lopez, filed for divorce on the 2-year anniversary of their lavish wedding ceremony in Georgia ... fans moved quickly to try and romantically link the actor to someone new.

Elton John I Have Severe Eye Infection ... Can Barely See!!!

Elton John is on the mend ... from a severe eye infection he says has left him with limited vision in one eye.

The "Rocket Man" singer shared a health update Tuesday on social media, revealing he's been dealing with an eye issue for some time now and is slowly healing.

Elton says his road to recovery has been "an extremely slow process and it will take some time before sight returns to the impacted eye."

Great Blue Heron Eat Big or Go Home ... Swallows NYC Rat Whole!!!

The Great Blue Heron may be the answer to NYC's infamous growing rat problem ... taking out one rodent by feasting on it -- whole -- in Central Park.

Video of the wild feast is going viral online ... with users on Reddit just about losing it over the graphic demonstration of predator vs. prey.

Central Park Blue Heron Devours City Rat Whole
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Watch the video ... according to the original poster, the jaw-dropping incident took place on Saturday as they did a bit of yoga in the park with a friend -- and found themselves watching a scene they described as "dinosaurian."

TMZ HOT TAKES NIKKI SIGNALS DIVORCE ... Brad Pitt, NFL's Pearsall

Nikki Bella is lawyering up, Brad Pitt is making a big debut and Ricky Pearsall is recovering from a gunshot wound ... all this on today's TMZ TV Hot Takes.

TMZ Live

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TAKING QUICK ACTION
TMZ.com

First up on "TMZ Live," Harvey and Babcock explain why Nikki may be pulling the plug on her marriage to Artem Chigvintsev any day now ... because she's on the hunt for a divorce lawyer in the wake of her husband's arrest for domestic violence.

Ricky Pearsall 'Doing Really Well' After Shooting ... Says John Lynch

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ETERNALLY GRATEFUL
San Francisco 49ers

San Francisco 49ers GM John Lynch says Ricky Pearsall's current health status is nothing short of a miracle ... revealing the wide receiver is "doing really well" just days after he was shot during an attempted robbery.

The Hall of Fame safety shared the incredible news with the media on Tuesday ... saying the 23-year-old rookie has already rejoined his teammates at the facility -- and the whole organization is "incredibly blessed."

Lynch confirmed Pearsall -- who suffered a gunshot wound to the chest around 4 PM in San Francisco on Saturday -- does not have nerve or organ damage as a result of the altercation.

Taylor Swift Football Is Back And So Am I ... Dominates New NFL Promo

The love story between Taylor Swift and the National Football League is back for a second season ... because the NFL is promoting the pop star more than the game's best player.

The NFL just released a promo video for the 2024 season ahead of Thursday's opening game, and Taylor has the lion's share of screen time ... making five appearances in a 28-second clip.

Taylor is shown more than any player in the league, and the NFL doesn't show Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes until the very end ... when he's seen hoisting the Vince Lombardi Trophy.