White House

Someone was really feeling a little too much holiday spirit -- Friday night a man climbed the National Christmas Tree near the White House.

After a stalemate with U.S. Park Police, the man finally came down and was taken to a hospital for mental evaluation. No injuries were reported, and Park Police described the climber as being in "emotional distress."

The wild scene started unfolding around 5:45 PM Friday night at the Ellipse, which is across the street from the White House.

After the man climbed about 15 to 20 feet up, the 74,000 LED lights covering the giant spruce were turned off, creating an eerie scene. By the time the climber started heading down, the lights were turned back on and police officers rushed inside to track him down.

4:15 PM PT -- The graffiti has been completely removed.

3:55 PM PT -- Trump's star has been vandalized AGAIN, and this time it's a bloody mess. Someone poured paint -- or something that looks like fake blood -- all over the President's plaque on the Walk of Fame.

As we told you, we have a fixed camera across the street, and it captured footage of the culprit in action. The man appears to have been part of a PETA protest going down outside a retail store next to the star.

It didn't take long this time around for someone to start cleaning it up. It appears the swastikas from Wednesday morning had just been scrubbed before this latest incident.

Some guy vandalized Donald Trump's star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame with swastikas ... and we got him on camera doing it.

TMZ captured the crime in progress through our live stream feed on Hollywood Blvd., and you can see a man dressed in black bend down and scribble all over Trump's star. Mind you, this was done Wednesday morning around 9 AM PT ... in broad daylight.

You can see, it's already starting to fade.

The culprit does the deed quickly as people walk right by him without batting an eyelash, but two women seem to notice the tagging as he walks away. There appears to be a written message, too, using a Spanish language slur -- "F*** This P**o" -- and the 2 big swastikas are underneath the words.

We're told no one filed a police report about the vandalism. Of course, this is just the latest hit job the President's star has received over the past couple years.

Most recently, someone drew prison bars over the star (which we also caught on camera) ... and then there was the second pickax incident earlier this summer.

If Donald Trump Jr. doesn't have plans to celebrate his 41st birthday on NYE, a Vegas strip club is willing to throw him a party ... hosted by none other than his alleged ex, Aubrey O'Day.

Larry Flynt's Hustler Club in Sin City is extending an invitation to DTJ to ring in the big 4-1 later this month in the company of his alleged one-time mistress -- who strongly implied, one way or another, they hooked up in 2011 while she was a cast member on 'Celebrity Apprentice.'

The ex-Danity Kane member is set to perform 3 songs at the shindig, and even share face time with certain guests. That could be Trump Jr. ... if his heart desires! Although, we're pretty sure his current GF, Kimberly Guilfoyle, ain't gonna be down for this.

The club's GM actually went through Jr.'s dad ... sending a letter to Prez Trump, cordially inviting both him and his boy to party. He wrote, "You and your family have done so much for this country that we at the Hustler Organization want to show our appreciation by throwing [DTJ] a birthday he will never forget."

Sure, flattery will get ya everywhere with 45, but clearly this whole thing is a total troll.

Aubrey's famously pissed at DTJ for blowing her off -- and Larry Flynt famously hates the Prez. He offered $10 mil for any dirt to get him impeached.

Anyway, Aubrey's performing ... with or without the Trumps' presence.

Michelle Obama stuck to her motto during an event in NYC with Sarah Jessica Parker -- when others go low, she's going high ... as in super thigh-high boots and a matching slit in her gown.

SJP was with the former First Lady Wednesday night at the Barclays Center to discuss Michelle's best-selling memoir, "Becoming." MO brought her couture A-game ... draped in a gorgeous bright yellow dress and a pair of metallic gold knife over-the-knee boots from Balenciaga.

If you're interested ... they retail for $3,900. Happy shopping.

As great as Michelle looks here, "Becoming" is sitting just as pretty at #1 at the top of a lot of bestsellers' lists, including the NYT and Amazon. She's also No. 1 across the pond, having just become the first woman to sell the U.K.'s best selling Christmas book since J.K. Rowling in '08.

It feels like a lifetime has passed since Mrs. O delivered her "go high" message at the Democratic National Convention, when Hillary Clinton accepted the nomination.

Donald Trump really needs a holiday pick-me-up, and it's up to his fans to give it to him ... or risk feeling the full force of Christmas shame.

According to a Trump campaign email obtained by TMZ ... POTUS supporters are being begged encouraged to sign the Official First Family Christmas Card to lift their spirits.

The letter starts by asking those who have not yet digitally signed the card -- which was first sent out last week ... "Did you not want to wish the President a Merry Christmas?"

It then reminds Trump supporters that the Prez and Melania "have been working so hard to bring Christmas cheer to the White House ... Because it's not just their home. It's your home too."

The card will apparently be given to the First Fam on Christmas Eve, though it doesn't specify how. Will it actually be printed out with all the names and put on display?

"Hi, Mr. White ... the President was hoping to reach you by phone when you're available."

That's a real voicemail that Donald Trump's office left for UFC boss Dana White last week ... all because POTUS wanted to shoot the sh*t about the Max Holloway vs. Brian Ortega fight!!!!

"He calls me on Tuesday," White said on Barstool Sports' "Pardon My Take" podcast ... "For 15 minutes he couldn't stop talking about the fight."

By the way, Tuesday was the same day Trump sparred with Chuck Schumer and Nancy Pelosi about possibly shutting down the government during a debate over his border wall.

Unclear if the conversation with White took place before or after the meeting -- but it sure sounded like Trump was in a good mood.

White said Trump praised both fighters for their toughness and called the bout at UFC 231, "The greatest fight I've ever seen."

White and Trump have been friends for decades -- with Dana even giving a campaign speech for Donald at the Republican National Convention.

Former Mexican President Vicente Fox is blasting President Trump for lacking love or compassion and insists POTUS is the reason why a 7-year-old migrant girl died at the hands of Border Patrol.

We got Vicente leaving Avra in Beverly Hills, where we asked him about the little girl from Guatemala who died of dehydration and exhaustion while in custody of Customs and Border Protection. The child -- part of a group of 163 people who were seeking asylum -- had not eaten or had any water for several days before suffering seizures and ultimately dying.

Fox straight-up lays blame at the feet of Trump ... saying the CBP certainly bears responsibility but adds, there's zero doubt its marching orders to show zero compassion come from 1600 Pennsylvania Ave.

A pro-life Donald Trump supporter was arrested and charged in New York for threatening to "put a bullet" in a U.S. senator ... TMZ has learned.

Brooklyn resident Michael Brogan was charged Wednesday with threatening to murder the unnamed senator. Prosecutors say the senator's staff alerted authorities earlier this month when they got a disturbing and threatening voice message.

According to court docs, Brogan allegedly said in part, "You are an absolute piece of s**t, Senator. Senator, and I put that in quotation marks, you're a f**king phony. You watch your ass cause I [unintelligible], I'm going to put a bullet in ya."

The message goes on ... "When I'm in D.C. and you're there, I got your f**king mark on you stupid bitch. You and your constant lambasting of President Trump. Oh, reproductive rights, reproductive rights. You know what? I'm cursing and I'm in sin because of people like you, ok? Cause I value the God given right to life."

According to docs, the message ends ... "If I saw you, I'd snuff your stupid f**king ass. I'd put a f**king bullet in you. You watch your ass. If I see you on the streets, I'm gonna f**king light you up with f**king bullets."

President Trump insists he's not feeling any impeachment heat, but his Veep Mike Pence is in prepare-for-the-worst mode ... according to Congressman Gregory Meeks.

We got the distinguished gentleman from NY on Capitol Hill and he tells us he sees similarities between Mueller's Trump investigation and the one that eventually forced Richard M. Nixon out of office.

Meeks believes Robert Mueller's court filing last week was devastating for POTUS because it revealed Cohen told the special counsel's office it was Trump who directed payments to 2 women -- Stormy Daniels and Karen McDougal. Meeks says Pence is paying close attention as the info trickles out.

Case in point, during Tuesday's fireworks at the White House, Trump railed on Rep. Schumer and Rep. Pelosi ... while Pence sat silently.

Bottom line -- Rep. Meeks thinks Pence will have very little to say about his pal, the Prez, in coming weeks because he's busy reading writing on walls. And, no ... he ain't talking graffiti.

President Trump's former attorney Michael Cohen just got sentenced to 3 years in prison after pleading guilty to a number of crimes related to his work for the Prez.

Cohen spoke in court during his sentencing, and said ... "Today is one of the most meaningful days of my life. The irony is that today I get my freedom back.” He made specific references to Trump, too ... “Blind loyalty to this man led me to choose a path of darkness over light.”

Cohen added, "I take full responsibility for each act that I pleaded guilty to ..." including those implicating the "President of the United States of America.”

In addition to the 3 years ... Cohen has to pay restitution of $1.4 million, and fines of $100,000 for the SDNY and Special Council cases. Additionally, he has to return a $500k home equity loan.

Cohen was sentenced in NYC. To add insult to injury, Stormy Daniels' lawyer, Michael Avenatti, spoke outside the courtroom after the sentencing. He declared, "(Cohen) deserves every day of the 36-month sentence that he will serve." He ended his statement with a threat to POTUS -- "Michael Cohen was sentenced today, Donald Trump is next."

As we reported ... Cohen pled guilty to 8 federal charges in August, including 5 counts of tax fraud and 2 campaign finance violations -- the latter of which related to his $130k hush money payment to Stormy Daniels leading up to the 2016 election.

Prosecutors had asked a judge to impose a "substantial term of imprisonment" despite his cooperation.

It's a dramatic end to the Cohen saga. Remember, he was under investigation in New York at the recommendation of Special Counsel Robert Mueller, which launched a full-blown FBI raid on Cohen's office ... and it was all downhill from there.

Cohen broke away from Trump's inner circle as the feds turned the screws on him. He has reportedly cooperated with investigators extensively. As we reported, he made it clear to Stormy's people his client, Donald Trump, was directing the hush money payment.

Also, an audio recording leaked this year of Cohen and Trump's discussion regarding ex-Playboy Playmate Karen McDougal ... who also reportedly received money for her silence.

Wayne Rooney was happy to spread a little Christmas cheer with Donald Trump ... 'cause the soccer legend was 45's guest of honor at the White House over the weekend!!

It all went down at Trump's Christmas party Sunday ... where Rooney and his wife, Coleen, and their kids hit up 1600 Pennsylvania Ave to enjoy some holiday fun.

Of course ... Barron Trump is a HUGE soccer fan and an even bigger Rooney supporter -- so the D.C. United superstar's presence was a big-time gift from Papa Trump.

It's interesting ... many high-profile athletes -- from Steph Curry to LeBron James -- have turned down trips to Trump's White House 'cause of their political beliefs.

President Trump didn't fork over hush money to Stormy Daniels to keep their sexual liaison from his wife, because Melania knows his "history" with women ... so says U.S. Rep. Marcia Fudge.

The Ohio congresswoman scoffed at the notion Trump might argue his motivation for the Stormy pact was saving his marriage. As for whether it was a cover-up for election purposes ... Fudge says it's not definitive one way or the other.

For the record ... Trump has denied all of the affairs alleged by women since he was elected.

The Trump Organization's got legal trouble unrelated to Robert Mueller ... this time it's a guy pissed off about an ice skating rink he considers a virtual death trap.

Philip Kassai is suing President Trump's organization over the Lasker Rink it operates in Central Park. According to Kassai's attorney, Marc Freund, his client was injured during a March skate outing with his 9-year-old son. After just one lap, he claims he noticed the rink had dangerous areas of slush, crevices and bumps.

As he was leaving the ice, his skate got caught in a crevice, he fell and dislocated and fractured his shoulder ... according to Freund. He says the injury still hasn't fully healed.

According to the suit, filed by Freund's firm Lipsig, Shapey, Manus & Moverman ... Kassai wants Trump's co. to fork over damages for negligence in properly inspecting and maintaining the ice rink.

George H.W. Bush's state funeral just wrapped up at the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C. ... where his son -- 43rd President George W. Bush -- was brought to tears eulogizing his late father and former POTUS.

Dubya delivered an incredibly emotional tribute to his dad, which ended with him choking up and having to step back from the lectern. It was a powerful moment, and fellow mourners gave 43 a big round of applause as he went back to his seat.

Presidential funerals are always extraordinary for the rare gathering of ex-Presidents. Trump, Obama, Clinton and Carter are all there ... and seated RIGHT next to each other.

Trump's attendance was not initially a lock, but he reportedly decided to attend after discussions with the Bush family, and getting assurances he wouldn't be bad-mouthed. Interesting to note, this is the first time Hillary Clinton and Trump will be in the same space since the election.

Also, Michelle Obama wrote in her new book she would never forgive Donald Trump for sparking the birther movement. Sooo ... tense moments.

The former President's body has been lying in State at the Capitol since Monday ... and a steady stream of dignitaries, politicians and celebrities have shown up to pay respects.

George H.W. Bush's will has been filed in probate court and it lists two of his sons -- former President George W. Bush and former Governor Jeb Bush -- as executors.

The will, filed in Texas Tuesday -- obtained by TMZ -- used to list Barbara as the executor, but when she died on April 17, it was turned over to George and Jeb. The two brothers are also in charge of Barbara's estate.

As for H.W.'s financial situation, the docs don't get specific -- everything was put into a trust -- but the amount is listed as more than $50,000 ... a number that surely downplays 41's actual worth.

H.W. died in Texas Friday ... his health was declining in recent years and was in and out of the hospital several times. He was admitted to ICU at the Houston Methodist Hospital back in January 2017 due to pneumonia. Barbara was also admitted with her own health issues.

Sports legends from all over the country gathered at the Capitol Rotunda in Washington D.C. on Tuesday to pay tribute to George H.W. Bush.

Those in attendance include Peyton Manning, Jack Nicklaus, Phil Mickelson, Mike Krzyzewski, Chris Evert, Jim Nantz, Fred Couples and Jim Calhoun.

The body of the 41st President of the United States is lying in state in the Capitol Rotunda until his funeral service on Wednesday morning at the Washington National Cathedral where his son, former President George W. Bush, will deliver the eulogy.

After the service, Bush's remains will go to Joint Base Andrews in Maryland and then to a ceremony at a church in Houston before he's finally laid to rest at a family plot at his Presidential Library in College Station.

Bush was big into sports -- he played baseball at Yale and was a huge fan of the Houston Astros. He also played a lot of golf and horseshoes, and famously enjoyed skydiving.

Bush was 94.

RIP