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The owners of Peanut the squirrel are still in an emotional whirlwind after their beloved social media star was seized and euthanized by authorities in New York ... and now they're readying to fight back, TMZ is told.

Mark Longo and his wife, Daniela, tell us they are already in the process of legal action ... but they cannot give too many more details at this point. But ML makes it crystal clear ... "Peanut did not die in vain!"

Their story went national after they accused the state of abusing power and wasting taxpayer funds to seize and kill Peanut -- all because of some anonymous claims ... which ML says were all total BS.

Social media flew into a frenzy Saturday morning when an apparent press release from Donald Trump’s campaign called for justice for Peanut the squirrel … but it was all a hoax, TMZ has learned.

Trump spokesperson Steven Cheung tells us a statement that spread on X like wildfire was not real … Trump had not addressed the confiscated and euthanized squirrel controversy.

In the fake release, Trump was quoted as saying in part … “If Peanut could have told them he was from Mexico, they would have sent him on his way and given him a hotel room and a $500 gift card to Buddy Squirrel. Instead, he was taken from his family. Very sad, and a complete waste of resources!”

Tucker Carlson claims he was once violently attacked by a demon as he slept ... and despite all the naysayers ... one paranormal expert absolutely believes him.

Here's the deal ... the popular TV personality appeared in the new documentary, "Christianities?" ... where he revealed he'd once woken up to find huge claw marks on his sides and shoulder -- ones that didn't match his own hands. He says in no uncertain terms ... demon attack!

"Ghost Hunters" star Steve Gonsalves tells TMZ ... those quick with the jokes and totally dismissive should slow their roll ... 'cause something very well could have happened to the dude beyond typical comprehension.

Sharon Osbourne is not a big fan of Simon Cowell after their publicized falling out ... but she doesn't care if her daughter Kelly is chummy with the guy, she tells TMZ.

We ran into SO while she was leaving Kelly's 40th birthday party in Hollywood ... and we just had to know what she thought about Kelly and Simon being buddies after KO talked about it in a recent interview.

When asked her 2 cents on the friendship with Simon -- who, again, SO feuded with and had a falling out from their 'X Factor UK' and "America’s Got Talent" days ... Sharon told us it's "great" ... adding, "I'm happy that she does."

Miami Beach has officially cut ties with Diddy, revoking his Key to the City amid his ongoing legal problems ... TMZ has learned.

The now-disgraced rapper was officially stripped of his honor this week in light of his arrest, indictment and avalanche of sexual assault lawsuits that have piled up against him -- 9 years after he was first awarded the Key to the City.

We're told Miami Beach Mayor Steven Meiner and the city commission voted unanimously on the decision at an in-person hearing Wednesday. Our sources tell us the mayor still has to officially sign off on the resolution, which is imminent.

Los Angeles Lakers player Jaxson Hayes went on a rampage prior to his 2021 arrest -- verbally abusing and putting his hands on his then-girlfriend Sofia Jamora during an intense altercation ... and it was all captured on surveillance video.

TMZ Sports obtained footage and images from a source close to Jamora ... which are tied to her ongoing lawsuit against Hayes.

The July 2021 dispute -- which was sparked after Jamora blamed Hayes' dogs for injuring her much smaller dog -- shows the 7-footer appearing to pull the model from one room and into another around 1:35 AM ... as she pled with him to let her go.

Brandon Moreno has twice been the UFC's flyweight champion -- and he could soon have a chance to win it for a third time -- but, the Mexican MMA star is on the hunt for a goal even bigger than gold ... he wants to be the greatest ever!

"Man, I want to be one of the best," Moreno told TMZ Sports this week ... "I want to be of the history of the flyweight division. I won the title twice in the past, but I feel I have to do a little bit more, you know?"

Of course, G.O.A.T. is a subjective debate with no definitive answer. Still, most agree Demetrious Johnson is the best ever in the division, with Henry Cejudo making a strong case for himself (Triple C beat Mighty Mouse -- not to mention he won an Olympic gold medal and became UFC bantamweight champion, too).

Rose Namajunas has accomplished nearly everything over the course of her career in MMA ... and while she still has eyes on getting back her championship belt -- she tells TMZ Sports she wouldn't mind stepping out of the Octagon and into the boxing ring one day!

We caught up with the fifth-ranked UFC flyweight ahead of her upcoming bout against third-ranked Erin Blanchfield ... and while she is not sleeping on EB -- who is known for her grappling -- Rose believes she is overall the better fighter.

"I feel I'm superior in all areas of MMA," Rose said. "Especially being able to mix it all up, that's what I do best. I'm really looking forward to the challenge. I know she's a tough opponent, so I'm very prepared."

Diddy's methods of keeping his business affairs have been shrouded in mystery, but now TMZ can show how -- 'cause we've obtained a standard Combs NDA studio attendees were required to sign.

The document -- a pretty standard non-disclosure agreement -- prevents signees from sharing information related to Diddy, his family members, current or former partners, spouses, friends of business associates.

The NDA tells signees not to photograph, film or record -- or, have another person photograph film or record -- Diddy or anyone in his orbit without his written consent ... and, specifically names social media sites where attendees can't post photos Diddy doesn't sign off on.

The internal investigation MrBeast commissioned after his longtime co-host Ava Kris Tyson was hit with serious grooming allegations found no evidence of such claims ... but the probe did turn up some isolated instances of workplace harassment and misconduct.

MrBeast hired Alex Spiro from the law firm Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan to investigate his company back in July, following sexual misconduct allegations ... and, after reviewing millions of documents and conducting interviews with current and former employees, the firm concluded that allegations of pedophilia, grooming, and child porn involving company employees and minors were without basis.

Spiro's report, obtained by TMZ, says the sexual misconduct allegations were "soundly rejected, including by alleged victims."

Judge Greg Mathis has been on a mission to win back his wife, Linda, after she filed for divorce this summer -- and it looks like all his hard work has finally paid off!

Linda was right by Greg’s side as they spilled the happy news to TMZ ... and it’s clear from their lovey-dovey body language and his sweet kiss on her cheek their romantic reconciliation is definitely in full swing.

Greg shared some serious wisdom, saying that sometimes God has to break you down to lift you back up -- something he clearly believes happened for him in getting Linda back in his arms.

Michael Smerconish broke down what he means by referring to 2 of TV’s greatest hits to make his political point about the presidential election -- voters are generally locked in on their completely different choices -- and their equal popularity has this race up in the air.

The CNN host joined us on "TMZ Live" Friday ... and he says the liberal "Ted Lasso" fans versus conservative "Yellowstone" diehards comparison highlights the differences in style in popular preference between the candidates -- and no matter which way you slice the data, there's no clear projected winner before Election Day next week.

Watch the full video 'cause Michael dives deeper into the comparison ... and he even dishes on what it says about our guy Charles, a big fan of both shows.

Kurt Busch has pled guilty to a criminal charge of driving while impaired, TMZ Sports has learned.

An Iredell County, N.C. court official tells us the former NASCAR champion entered the plea on Wednesday.

The official says in exchange for the guilty plea, prosecutors agreed to drop the reckless driving and speeding charges he was facing in the case.

Judge Mathis says Erik and Lyle Menendez deserve to be free men ... telling us new evidence they were allegedly molested by the father they killed totally changes things.

We got the TV judge Thursday at the Fairmont Century Plaza in Los Angeles, and our photog asked him about the Menendez brothers and their bid to get out of prison after nearly 35 years behind bars.

Judge Mathis says if he was handling their resentencing case, he would reduce the length of their punishment on account of the molestation claims and send them home ASAP.

The World Series title has come with an added bonus for the Dodgers ... TMZ Sports has learned two strip clubs in Los Angeles are now offering them free VIP access for LIFE following the big win!

Frankie, the owner of 4Play The Gentlemen's Club and Plan B in West L.A., tells us ... following the Boys in Blue's takedown of the Yankees in Game 5 of the Fall Classic -- he's giving them an epic hookup at his two joints.

Frankie says every player on the team will get an exclusive Black VIP card that will allow them free admission and free VIP booth seating for as long as they live.

Comedian Peng Dang is weighing in on Tony Hinchcliffe's offensive Puerto Rico "garbage" joke, telling TMZ he's hardly shocked -- especially given their rocky past.

Peng tells TMZ he sees a clear pattern with Tony, drawing parallels to his own experience 3 years ago when Hinchcliffe launched into a racist rant against him -- telling us this offensive style is just Tony's schtick -- and that he'll keep it up, and will brush off the backlash as "cancel culture."

You gotta check out the whole clip ... Peng goes deep on the similarities to his own experience, and you can tell it still gets under his skin. The rant ended up costing Hinchcliffe his representation at the time.