White House

Michael Avenatti didn't skip a beat as he paid President Trump a compliment. Yes, you read that correctly, but we admit it was a pretty backhanded one.

We got Avenatti hitting up Craig's Monday night in WeHo and wanted to get his 2 cents about Trump's plan to attend Wednesday's memorial service for former Prez George H.W. Bush. As you know ... Trump also paid his respects Monday in the Capitol Rotunda.

Trump is not expected to speak at Wednesday's service, but will meet privately with the Bush family. Still, the fact he's decided to honor President Bush has Avenatti -- perhaps the most harsh Trump critic -- giving 45 props. We're pretty sure it's the first time ever.

Also, it's official now ... we won't see them go head-to-head in 2020, because Avenatti said he's decided NOT to run after his family asked him to stand down.

Prepare to have your heart melted ... yes, that's Sully, the still loyal companion to President George H.W. Bush, remaining by the late President's side after a last-minute change of plans kept the pup in D.C.

Sully showed up Tuesday at the U.S. Capitol, sitting in front of Bush's casket at the Capitol Rotunda, along with people who benefited from the ADA passage under our 41st President.

Seems Sully couldn't bear to leave Bush just yet ... as we reported, the service dog was supposed to be returned to America's VetDogs and head up to New York to prepare for his next assignment after flying with Bush's casket from Houston to D.C.

But, Sully shocked everyone -- in a good way -- when he pawed his way into the Capitol, where Bush is lying in state.

Just look at that super cute tail wag. Yes, Sully is still a very good boy.

9:58 AM PT -- We've learned Sully is still by the President's side, flying with the casket from Houston to D.C.

A Bush spokesperson tells TMZ ... when Air Force One lands in Washington, Sully will be returned to America's VetDogs and he will miss all of the memorial services to prepare for his next assignment.

We're told Sully will spend the holiday season in New York with America's VetDogs before moving to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center's Facility Dog Program. Sully will work alongside fellow service dogs SGT Dillon and SGT Truman, "To assist with physical and occupational therapy to wounded soldiers and active duty personnel during their journey to recovery."

A rep for Walter Reed tells us ... Sully won't be assigned to an individual veteran on site, and he will be a "roving" dog in the program, providing support, comfort and helping to reduce stress for wounded soldiers and their visitors. Sully will have a handler who will take him home each night.

We're told the Bush family is welcome to visit Sully whenever they want, and the facility would be "honored" if the President's family came to visit.

President George H.W. Bush's loyal companion remained by his side Sunday night -- his service dog, Sully, keeping watch until the very end ... and beyond.

In one of the more moving images since the 41st President's passing Friday night ... Sully was pictured laying in front of Bush's casket in Houston, ahead of its Monday flight to Washington, D.C. The former Prez will lie in state at the Capitol until Wednesday, and Sully will be heading back east as well.

The service dog was assigned to former Prez Bush back in June, and Bush family spokesman Jim McGrath says Sully -- trained by the nonprofit group America's VetDogs -- will be reassigned now.

43rd Prez George W. Bush said, "As much as our family is going to miss this dog, we're comforted to know he'll bring the same joy to his new home, [military hospital] Walter Reed,"

Jeb Bush also saluted Sully ...

Good boy, Sully. Good boy.

O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree ... how pricey are thy Executive Branch's expenses?

The cost of President Trump's second National Christmas Tree Lighting on Wednesday totaled $141,944 -- up slightly more than $2k from 2017 ... according to federal receipts.

The White House tab includes $115k for event management services, $14,322 on a sound system rental ... and $12,622 for ballistic glass to protect Donald, Melania and the fam.

For comparison -- the cost of lighting the tree last year was $139,881. We originally thought it was $128,424 ... but we found an additional invoice for more than $11k on event management.

Perhaps Trump heard about consumer spending being up on Black Friday and Cyber Monday and joined the party.

BTW, this Christmas bill doesn't the include the giant evergreen -- it's usually donated -- or the notorious blood-red trees Melania picked to line an East Wing hallway.

The Red Sox should ABSOLUTELY take their championship trip to the White House ... so says ex-MLB star Brad Penny, who says the team needs to support Donald Trump regardless of their opinions of him.

It's up in the air whether Boston will make its post-World Series visit to 1600 Pennsylvania Ave ... especially after manager Alex Cora publicly criticized the President in September.

But, Penny says it would be a huge mistake to not go ... telling TMZ Sports the team should be there.

"You gotta go," the ex-star pitcher says ... "You support the President whether you voted for him or not ... I think they just gotta go."

Penny knows a thing or two about those trips ... the 2-time All-Star went to George W. Bush's White House after his Marlins won it all back in 2003.

He says the trip was unforgettable ... and Red Sox players would regret not making it.

In fact -- Brad tells us he thinks Boston can send a strong message to those protesting Trump by going.

"All those protests and stuff, to me, we want everybody who's in office to do good ... I feel like a lot of people want Trump to fail and it's unfortunate."

Unclear whether Red Sox players will listen to Brad ... but we know at least one of their pitchers is on board.

Former Mexican President Vicente Fox -- a notable Donald Trump critic -- isn't blasting the U.S. Prez as expected for last week's clash at the border, but as he says ... it's complicated.

We got Fox at the Reagan National Airport Friday and asked him about the border crisis, which he calls "terrible by all means." But he's not placing the blame squarely on one side ... saying Mexico could have done more to prevent it too.

He even reveals what he'd do differently if he was still running things in Mexico, and believes it would help all parties avoid more nasty incidents ... like tear gas being fired at migrants and their kids.

And, just because he doesn't rip POTUS in this case, don't put Vicente on the Trump Train ... because he's still got strong words about Donald's desired border wall.

Donald Trump's personal check that bought POTUS rare baseball photos is hitting the auction block ... and TMZ Sports has learned it could go for over $15,000!!!!

Sources tell us a $909.99 check made payable to Steiner Sports Memorabilia back in 2011 bought D.T. a signed Hank Aaron pic and two photos of Yankees teams from the '50s.

We're told POTUS used to buy memorabilia like that all the time as gifts for clients ... and now, the check he personally signed could be the perfect present for you -- if ya got the cash.

According to RR Auction ... the check is ultra rare -- the first known Trump one to hit the auction block -- and could go for more than what similar modern president checks have sold for recently.

The minimum bid was $500 ... but it's already up over $3,000 -- and still has a nearly a week left on the block.

George Herbert Walker Bush -- whose career in politics spanned more than three decades and culminated as the 41st President of the United States -- has died.

His office says the former Prez passed away Friday at 10:10 PM in Houston. His death comes 7 months after the passing of his wife of 73 years, Barbara Bush.

George Sr. had been in declining health in recent years and was in and out of the hospital several times. He was admitted to the ICU at the Houston Methodist Hospital back in January 2017 due to pneumonia. Barbara was also admitted with her own health issues.

They both recovered and took part in the ceremonial coin toss at Super Bowl 51 together just a few weeks later.

The former President notably sent a letter to then President-elect Donald Trump in January 2017 saying he couldn't make the inauguration due to doctor's orders ... joking it would put him "six feet under" to sit outside in the cold.

Along with being President, Bush also served as the 11th director of the CIA and 43rd Vice President of the U.S. under President Ronald Reagan. Bush was inaugurated as President on January 20, 1989.

Foreign policy -- in particular the Gulf War, the fall of the Berlin Wall and the dissolving of the Soviet Union -- was the centerpiece of Bush's presidency. Among his other accomplishments -- instituting a ban on importing semi-automatic rifles and signing the 1990 Americans with Disabilities Act and 1991 Civil Rights Act.

Bush's zinger during his election campaign, "Read my lips: no new taxes," became an unforgettable moment ... something he reneged on during his presidency.

George's father, Prescott, was a U.S. Senator. His oldest son, George W., was the 43rd U.S. President and his son, Jeb, was Governor of Florida.

George H. W. is survived by his 5 children, 17 grandchildren and 8 great grandkids. He also had a daughter, Robin, who died at age 3 from leukemia.

George was 94.

RIP

Jesse Ventura needs a little more time to decide whether he wants to run for President, but one thing's crystal clear -- his main goal is booting Donald Trump the hell out of office.

We got the WWE Hall of Famer and ex-Minnesota Gov leaving the Federal Courthouse in Orange County, and asked how serious he is about a 2020 presidential run. He insists he's always serious about that.

Jesse says he's gonna spend a couple months is Mexico mulling it over, but he's already concerned running as the Green Party candidate could take votes away from a Democrat and help Trump win.

Don't worry, Dems -- he has an unconventional plan to satisfy both sides and he's ready to make a deal.

As we reported, Jesse was at the courthouse Wednesday to testify on behalf of the Mongols Motorcycle Club, which is facing racketeering and murder charges. He's been a member since the early '70s and, even though he's been inactive for decades ... he vouched for the club, and told us he might go active again soon.

Jesse Ventura says he's seriously thinking about running for President of the United States in 2020 -- and says Donald Trump should be scared ... because it would be an ass-kicking!!!

"The [Green Party] has shown some interest," the 67-year-old former Governor of Minnesota told us at LAX ... "I haven't made a decision yet because it's a long time off."

But ... here's where things get good.

"If I do do it, Trump will not have a chance," Ventura says.

"For one, Trump knows wrestling. He participated in two Wrestlemanias. He knows he can never out-talk a wrestler, and he knows I'm the greatest talker wrestling's ever had."

"So, if I go for it he's history, and he knows it!"

That's not all ... Ventura says he's also been keeping his body in great shape and showed us his "6-pack" abs to prove it.

In fact, "The Body" pointed out that Wrestlemania is rumored to be coming to Minneapolis next year -- and says if WWE was smart, they'd call him up to participate.

Bottom line -- Ventura could have a very busy 2019.

Beto O'Rourke's long and winding road never lead to The White House ... but he did imagine himself as one of the Beatles.

We got the guy everyone's talking about -- including Barack Obama -- as a likely contender for the Democratic nomination for Prez in 2020.

As he traversed the terminal at Reagan National in D.C., our photog asked if he ever had dreams of becoming Commander in Chief, and he was quick to answer.

As for Obama recently hyping Beto -- saying the almost Senator reminded him of himself -- O'Rourke gave his best, "Aww shucks."

Corey Lewandowski denies that Chief of Staff John Kelly got physical with him in the White House, but if that were to ever happen ... he suggests he could take the general.

We got President Trump's former campaign manager Sunday in D.C., where we first asked him who he believes is scheming against DT in the WH ... which he teased with a plug for his new book, "Trump's Enemies: How the Deep State is Undermining the Presidency."

Our photog then asks about a reported incident between him and the CoS earlier this year, where Kelly supposedly grabbed Corey by the collar and tried to have him ejected from the West Wing. Corey says it never happened, but admits something like that COULD go down within the White House walls. Apparently, it can be a high-tension workplace ... so they say.

Paul Rodriguez says he's received death threats after "coming out of the closet" in support of Donald Trump.

The comedian told us Thursday at the Laugh Factory on the Sunset Strip ... he's kinda sad people view political opponents as the enemy.

He says his support for Trump has to do with H20 ... specifically California water rights.

Rodriguez does say he doesn't agree with everything Trump does ... but on balance he's down with him.

Kevin Hart tells us he wouldn't touch the White House Correspondent's Dinner with a 10-foot pole ... not even if comedians are ever allowed back as hosts.

We got the funny man Wednesday afternoon at L.A. Mission where he was helping serve turkey dinners to those in need ... and asked him straight-up if he'd ever considered hosting the annual black-tie affair.

Check out the clip ... Kevin couldn't be more clear in his disdain for the current state of the dinner.

The banquet, held every April in the spirit of good will between POTUS and his press corps, is on a downswing with Donald Trump in office. He's skipped the event twice after labeling media an enemy of the people.

This year's host is historian/biographer Ron Chernow, and he's pretty much guaranteed to cause less of a stir than comedian Michelle Wolf, who hosted this past April and eviscerated Trump and other prominent members of his administration.

Michelle's jokes caused a ton of controversy and sparked loads of backlash ... and next year's dinner is the first since 2003 to not feature a comic.

Diane Warren has a thought or two about President Trump's comments on the wildfires ravaging much of California -- her most interesting one being ... toss him in the flames.

We got the acclaimed songwriter Tuesday night at Craig's in WeHo, where she went scorched earth on 45 for making, what many considered, blunder after blunder when addressing the state's Camp and Woolsey fires.

Diane says his remark about raking forest grounds to prevent fires was especially outrageous and she went off about it -- suggesting POTUS should take a closer, hotter look. Well, to be blunt, she said, "Can we throw Trump in the fire?"

It's not the first time -- or second -- Diane has torn into 45 ... but this one's definitely the most visceral.

Donald Trump's daughters were the picture of Fall fashion as they set off for their family's Thanksgiving gathering ... and it looks like one of them was in a brand spankin' new pair of shoes.

Tiffany and Ivanka were spotted walking together Tuesday to board Air Force One, before departing from Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland for Florida ... where the Trumps will be spending the holiday at POTUS' Mar-a-Lago resort.

Tiff must have been running a little late judging by the bottom of her shoe ... because she apparently had no time to take off the price sticker.

Hard to tell where her pumps are from or how much they cost, but if they turn out not to be comfortable ... the good news is she should be able to return them.