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Democratic big wigs are attempting to corral A-list celebs to show face at the Democratic National Convention -- and one person we know they've locked down is John Legend.

Sources with direct knowledge tell TMZ ... John is all in for an appearance at the convention in Chicago in a few weeks -- and while we know he's going to be participating front and center ... it's still a little hazy on how exactly he'll contribute.

In other words ... we're not sure if he'll just be speaking, singing/performing or a mix of both. Considering his political history though -- you can probably expect a little bit of everything.

Ya gotta hand it to Haliey Welch ... the Internet's "Hawk Tuah" girl keeps spitting up new ideas to build a merchandising empire, attaching her catchphrase to all sorts of products and, umm ... services.

According to new trademark filings filed by Haliey's company, and obtained by TMZ, the budding entrepreneur's eyeing a couple of new business ventures -- including a sports betting service, which she notably dubs, "Bet on That Thang."

It appears the betting service will also extend to other types of entertainment services and casino gaming. Haliey hasn't really shown herself to be much of a gambler on social media ... but she'd be wise to get some skin in the gaming/wagering industry.

Cooper Kupp lent a hand this summer to try to help another team in Los Angeles beef up its roster -- the L.A. County Sheriff's Department.

The star wideout recently joined his head coach, Sean McVay, and two other Rams players to film a video for the LASD in an effort to help the org recruit more talent.

Kupp, McVay, Steve Avila and Quentin Lake all appeared in the clip ... with each going on-camera to encourage citizens to consider joining the Dept.

Here's a frightening application for artificial intelligence ... a system where human brains are implanted with memories of things people never actually experienced, which may be happening now ... or perhaps in the near future.

TMZ Studios' new series, "Strange & Suspicious," is looking at unexplained and downright weird stories ... like the possibility of computers being used to replace prison guards -- or outright prison time. Stay with us here ... it's not as far-fetched as it may seem.

Technology companies are working on A.I. projects where people have false memories implanted deep inside their brains ... which, in theory, could be used on convicted criminals.

Donald Trump was grazed by a bullet during the assassination attempt ... at least that's what a ballistic expert gleans from the way the former president's injured ear is healing.

Leonard Romero -- a forensic firearms examiner who's worked alongside the LAPD and several other law enforcement agencies in this field -- tells TMZ … Trump's ear healing so quickly isn't evidence he wasn't hit (as some have suggested), but on the contrary ... it's actually consistent with a graze from a bullet, as opposed to a more direct impact.

The way Leonard, explains it ... a graze only impacts the skin's surface -- it's more like a scrape or a scratch, and doesn't cause heavy damage, even when the bullet is from an AR-15 assault rifle, as was the case here.

Britney Spears' home popped up on the market Monday -- which got her fans thinking she was ready to get the hell outta Cali ... but she isn't going anywhere, TMZ has learned.

Eagle-eyed sleuths probably noticed BS' Thousand Oaks mansion show up on real estate sites as being listed for sale Monday -- and it looked like she was trying to unload it for just under $9 million ... at least based on the public listing.

However, despite the fact this info got published and went wide everywhere -- multiple sources with direct knowledge tell us the whole thing was a hack ... and Britney is NOT packing her bags.

Latto's warning Ice Spice not to engage her in lyrical warfare, and it's sound advice according to Power 106's DJ Carisma ... who says that frozen water will get evaporated with the quickness!!!

TMZ Hip Hop caught up with Carisma at Soulja Boy's birthday bash, and she played peacemaker by steering Ice away from engaging with Latto any further.

Ice recently blew off Latto saying the Atlanta rapper had been dragging out their short-lived spat, which was peppered by a few light taps on single releases along the way.

Soulja Boy is beaming with Big Leo energy and it has nothing to do with his recent comments aimed at Drake -- in fact, he says they're actually on great terms now!!!

We caught Big Draco on his 34th birthday Sunday, and he was happy to reveal he's treated himself by hopping on the Tesla Cybertruck wave!!!

SB was impressed with his electro-whip's keycard access and openly called for an Elon Musk collab ... otherwise, he vows to be the first rapper with his own vehicle.

Angela Murray is not losing her job because of some abrasive behavior inside the "Big Brother" house ... despite some fans' attempts to hit her where it hurts.

Here's the deal ... Angela's under fire for calling housemate Matt "Crazy Eyes" during an epic rant on the current season ... and some folks took things so far as to bombard her real estate company with poor reviews, hateful comments and an endless barrage of calls.

Angela works at Utah's Elite Realtors and her boss, Liz Sears, tells TMZ ... the company stands by Angela and she has NOT been fired, because they know she's just playing a role on a reality TV show and her angle as this season's villain has nothing to do with her real life or job capabilities.

Here's Jennifer Aniston filming some new scenes for the upcoming season of "The Morning Show" ... smack in the middle of a climate change protest, and it's getting messy.

JA was in character over the weekend as fictional TV anchor Alex Levy, reporting live from a massive demonstration and taking a bucket of fake oil to the body ... with the black "tar" ruining her fancy outfit.

As you can see, Jennifer's got the black substance all over her white top and khaki pants ... with the sludge is streaking down her arms, and she's looking not too pleased -- in the scene, that is.

Tupac's family is clearly disturbed over an allegation that Diddy may have played a role in the late rapper's murder -- something they're now digging into with a new legal team, who plan to get to the bottom of it, and force action if they find any there-there ... TMZ has learned.

Sources with direct knowledge tell us members of Tupac's still-living relatives have retained attorneys Alex Spiro and Christopher Clore -- as well as a team of investigators -- to look into Keefe D's resurfaced allegation that Diddy offered to pay him and his crew money to take Pac out in the '90s.

You'll recall ... this claim -- which, thus far, is unsubstantiated -- came to light anew last week when prosecutors in Keefe D's murder case included an old transcript from an interview he did in '09, where he alleged Diddy was willing to pay up to $1 million for a hit on Tupac.

Justin Timberlake might have an ace in the hole to get his DWI case dismissed ... and it's a woman who took the keys to his car after his arrest ... TMZ has learned.

As we reported, Justin was busted for drunk driving last month, after partying with friends at a Sag Harbor hotel. Cops say they saw him blow a stop sign and swerve as he was following some friends.

After he was stopped, cops say he failed multiple sobriety field tests and also smelled of alcohol. He refused to blow into a Breathalyzer, and claimed he only drank one martini.

Donald Trump's Secret Service security detail was flush with women the day he was grazed by a bullet ... and one former agent says the brass was more interested in optics than security.

TMZ Studios has a new special, "TMZ Presents: Under Fire: The Trump Assassination Attempt," where we explore the many, stunning security failures that lead to the attempt on Trump's life at his fateful Butler, Pennsylvania rally.

Richard Staropoli, a top former Secret Service Special Agent, is strongly suggesting the women assigned to protect Trump that day should shoulder a lot of the blame.

Mark Henry is one proud papa these days ... his son has committed to the University of Oklahoma for wrestling -- and he says the kid is already dreaming of being a WWE Superstar!!

The former WWE World Heavyweight Champion explained it all to TMZ Sports this month ... just after his son, 18-year-old Jacob Henry, pledged his allegiance to Sooner Nation.

Mark tells us as a University of Texas alum, he initially cringed at the idea of Jacob in the Crimson and Cream. But he's warmed up to it -- and is fired up for his boy's future.

Rob Rausch -- the controversial player from the most recent "Love Island USA" season -- may have found a connection off-camera ... 'cause he's hanging out in L.A. with a new lady.

TMZ obtained photos and videos of Rausch hanging out with internet personality Tarayummy in Calabasas -- home to some of Hollywood's biggest A-Listers -- last week.

While you can't see their faces, there are a couple telltale signs it's Rob and Tara ... starting with their famous ink lining up with these photos.

The Secret Service dropped the ball in spectacular fashion at Donald Trump's campaign rally where he was nearly killed by a would-be assassin ... so says a former USSS special agent.

TMZ Studios has a new special, "TMZ Presents: Under Fire: The Trump Assassination Attempt," where we explore the many, stunning security failures that lead to the attempt on Trump's life at a Butler, Pennsylvania rally.

Richard Staropoli, a former Secret Service Special Agent, doesn't mince words ... he says Trump's security detail totally failed him and left him inexplicably exposed to mortal danger.