Politix

Thomas Matthew Crooks took in the lay of the land at the Donald Trump rally ... reportedly by flying a drone over the event before climbing a roof and opening fire.

The would-be assassin filmed aerial footage with the drone shortly before Trump took the stage ... law enforcement sources told the Wall Street Journal.

Crooks flew the drone along a pre-planned route ... suggesting Trump's shooter did a good amount of research at the site of the Butler, PA rally.

President Biden ain't throwing in the towel just yet -- 'cause top-level Dems are throwing another big fundraiser for him in the near future ... and David Letterman's going.

The news just came down from AP -- which says Hawaii Gov. Josh Green is hosting the shindig for Joe on July 29 out in Martha's Vineyard ... where they'll be hanging out at a private home that apparently belongs to a friend of Green's.

In terms of DL's involvement ... word is, he's set to headline the get-together -- so, in other words, he'll be the talent ... and probably moderate things as the emcee.

Jordin Sparks isn't feeling great about her chances to replace Katy Perry as a judge on "American Idol" ... but she's still open to a call, and even has a sense of how she'd do it.

We caught up with the 'Idol' alum in L.A., where she confirmed she was totally serious when she pitched herself as the new judge for season 23 -- and while she believes that fell on deaf ears ... she also says she'd still love to return to her 'Idol' roots.

Jordin says hiring someone like her to fill in for Katy makes sense in her mind -- 'cause she's been on the show and has the experience ... but of course, it ain't really her call.

Amber Rose did a parody of Vanilla Ice's hit hip-hop classic at the Republican National Convention -- and if you're wondering if the man himself is bent outta shape about ... well, we have an answer.

Vanilla tells TMZ ... he does indeed have ownership rights to "Ice Ice Baby" -- the track that Amber and rapper Forgiato Blow spoofed to promo their support of Donald Trump at the convention this week -- and VI notes he didn't approve the track to be used for GOP purposes.

He goes on to tell us that the publishing company that also holds rights to the song didn't clear it either -- which is why it got yanked off of YouTube ... but in terms of whether Vanilla is actually upset about it ... it doesn't really sound like he is.

Thomas Matthew Crooks' honor society membership seems to have been all for show -- because we now know that the dude didn't go to events ... and was unknown to members.

Sources with direct knowledge tell TMZ, TMC certainly was part of the local Phi Theta Kappa chapter at the Community College of Allegheny County -- but just on paper, because in terms of anyone knowing or interacting with him ... we're told that simply never happened.

We're told Thomas never attended any events or functions within the honor society as far as PTK brass is aware -- and more importantly ... we're told no one even knew this guy's name/face until it was reported in the media that he was a member of the org.

President Biden is currently fighting this third bout with COVID-19 -- and while some have speculated it'll mess with his brain power ... one doctor says that's likely not the case.

Here's the deal ... the 81-year-old POTUS was diagnosed with COVID again this week -- and in light of all the scrutiny about his mental acuity ... a fair amount of people have suggested JB could suffer "brain fog" and other symptoms that screw with one's ability to think clearly.

Of course, Biden's already under fire for what many consider mental lapses as it is -- but one expert who's in the field tells us folks need to slow their roll by pre-diagnosing Biden.

President Biden's cognitive chops have been a hot topic in the political arena -- and Rep. Seth Moulton has just stoked the flames with his worrying account of their last hangout.

The Democratic congressman dropped a bombshell from last month's D-Day anniversary meetup in France ... writing in a Boston Globe op-ed Friday that Biden seemed to forget who he was during the event, even though they’ve crossed paths plenty of times ... heck, Moulton even competed against him in the 2020 primaries.

Seth's kept it real, acknowledging memory slips can happen to anyone -- but notes the Prez ain't no average Joe ... and after rewatching his shaky debate against Trump, he’s connecting the dots and thinks his forgetfulness is, in fact, a bigger issue.

Joy Behar's Sunday schooling Donald Trump on live TV ... slamming the former prez for claiming God was watching out for him during the attempt on his life.

The 'View' cohost ripped the 45th president's RNC speech Friday -- her show's 6,000th episode -- and said it wasn't very Christian of him to say God was watching over him while, just feet away, another man ended up dead.

Check out the clip, Joy -- who says she grew up Catholic -- claims it's not proper for Christians to say God's looking out specifically for them because it's "narcissistic."

Donald Trump’s a bad man for popping right back up after an assassination attempt, says Mark Zuckerberg … though he’s stopping short of giving him an endorsement.

The tech guru discussed the 45th POTUS taking a bullet at his Pennsylvania Rally in a Bloomberg interview published Thursday  … adding the dude’s a straight-up “badass.”

MZ says it wasn't just him hopping back up … but the visual of DJT pumping his fist while the American flag waved in the background really struck the Facebook founder. Zuck adds it’s not about politics, but instead speaks to his inherent patriotism.

President Biden's reportedly talking to his family about dropping out of the presidential race -- but that's news to his campaign team, which insists their guy's not going anywhere.

NBC News reports the First Family's talking about possible plans for POTUS to make a hasty exit ... saying the overall tone of the discussions is about having a concrete plan in place so Biden can bow out without ruining Democrats' chances to beat Donald Trump.

Among their considerations ... his health, his family and the country's stability. Biden reportedly wants to end his bid in his own time, too -- so don't expect him to rush an announcement.

Jimmy Fallon crapped on President Joe Biden in his opening monologue -- cracking jokes about the Prez's COVID news ... and questioning if Round 2 in the Oval Office is in store.

The 'Tonight Show' host made some jokes at JB's expense on Thursday's episode -- saying POTUS was lucky he couldn't spread his diagnosis ... especially since Democrats had already been distancing themselves from him after that debate debacle with Trump.

JF didn't stop there ... adding, "Thankfully, Biden is expected to make a full recovery, and his doctor said that he'll be back to 60% in no time." Obviously, he's referring to questions about Joe's cognitive abilities for a second term.

The infamous Kim Kardashian-Taylor Swift beef might be over -- well, that's if Kim's recent shout-out for Ivanka Trump's daughter’s birthday is evidence.

So here's the scoop -- Ivanka posted an IG carousel celebrating her daughter Arabella's 13th birthday, and there were a few pics of a Swiftie-inspired cake in the mix!

Taylor's favorite number, "13," made a perfect fit for Arabella's big day ... replete with big red candles. It also had the lyric, "Boys only want love if it's torture," from Taylor's hit song "Blank Space" written on top.

Melania Trump did the unthinkable at the Republican National Convention -- she actually showed some affection to her hubby Donald Trump ... but it's up for debate if she actually kissed him.

The former First Lady was on hand in the flesh Thursday in Milwaukee for the final night of the convention ... which saw DT deliver a VERY long speech to cap off the event, for which she was present to witness first-hand ... a surprise cameo that not many really expected.

Melania looked great and smiled/waved like she has in the past -- but the shocking part was what she did after Donald's remarks ... joining him onstage and, at least, going in for a kiss.

8:57 AM PT -- Trump is taking advantage of Hulk's viral moment ... 'cause the former president's campaign is now selling the same cutoff the wrestling legend rocked on stage!!

Folks can cop the merch with a donation of $35 or more ... and we take it it'll be a hot item with the MAGA crowd following the memorable performance.

The Republican National Convention stage looked more like a wrestling ring Thursday night -- at least for a few minutes -- as Hulk Hogan ripped off his shirt and fired up the crowd with an impassioned pro-Donald Trump speech.

The WWE-style moments all went down at the Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee ... about an hour or so before Trump formally accepted the GOP's nomination for President.

Hulk, who said he committed to speaking at the event following Saturday's attempt on Trump's life, repeatedly praised the former Prez ... all while speaking as if he were in the center of a squared circle at WrestleMania.

Donald Trump just accepted the GOP nomination for President at the Republican National Convention -- and he recounted the attempted assassination ... a sobering moment, indeed.

45 took the stage Thursday in Milwaukee -- where he capped a week's-worth of speeches and appearances all in anticipation of saying, yes ... I'll be your guy heading into the November election. Of course, everyone was anticipating what he would say about Saturday.

Trump took a fair amount of time to reflect on the life-death situation ... and he was genuinely humbled, saying God was on his side and that he shouldn't be here today.

Donald Trump's securing the 'W' over President Biden in at least one arena, months ahead of the election ... but hold your horses, it's a bit of a plastic victory!

NY's celeb hotspot of The Hamptons is home to a gift store called The Monogram Shop, and it might've just forecast how Election Day shakes out ... via these branded cups it's hawking. They've got branded cups for Biden and Trump, but apparently, more MAGA types are in town to quench their thirst.

As you can see, the shop owners have been flaunting signs in the window from their latest cup wars ... proving Donald is, uhh ... trumping Joe, so far, anyway.