White House

Rudy Giuliani can't practice law in the state of New York, for the time being, and it's all because of the lawyering he was doing on behalf of former President Donald Trump.

According to new legal docs, obtained by TMZ, a NY court just suspended Rudy from practicing law in New York, finding Giuliani made "demonstrably false and misleading statements to courts, lawmakers and the public at large in his capacity as lawyer for former President Donald J. Trump."

In the docs, the court pointed to the Attorney Grievance Committee's allegations Giuliani made false statements to improperly bolster his narrative that the 2020 election was stolen from Trump due to widespread voter fraud. The court said Giuliani's conduct "immediately threatens the public interest and warrants interim suspension from the practice of law."

Giuliani's lawyers, Barry Kamins and John Leventhal, tell TMZ ... they're disappointed by the suspension, and claim Rudy was not given a hearing on the alleged issues before the decision came down.

His legal team says the former NYC Mayor does not pose a present danger to the public interest and believes Giuliani will ultimately be reinstated.

As you know ... while working as Trump's lawyer, Rudy infamously held a press conference after the election at the Four Seasons in Philadelphia -- Four Seasons Total Landscaping, that is ... NOT the hotel.

President Joe Biden is heaping praise on two high profile athletes who came out this week -- Carl Nassib and Kumi Yokoyama -- hailing them as courageous and inspiring.

Of course, 28-year-old Nassib -- a star defensive end for the Las Vegas Raiders -- became the first active NFL player to come out as gay.

Kumi Yokoyama is a star soccer player for Team Japan and the NWSL's Washington Spirit. The 27-year-old came out as a transgender man on Sunday and uses they/them pronouns.

Both athletes are now getting shout-outs from the White House -- with Biden tweeting late Tuesday evening.

"To Carl Nassib and Kumi Yokoyama -- two prominent, inspiring athletes who came out this week: I’m so proud of your courage," Biden said.

"Because of you, countless kids around the world are seeing themselves in a new light today."

As we previously reported, Nassib's announcement was met with widespread support from top athletes, celebrities and officials. Ditto for Yokoyama.

VP Kamala Harris was once AG Kamala Harris -- and it was during that time that she ripped Nina Simone's family from her estate ... so claims the late singer's own flesh and blood.

The Veep is under fire by Nina's daughter and granddaughter -- Lisa Simone Kelly and RéAnna Simone Kelly, respectively -- for what they say was Kamala's role in deciding how Nina's estate is now managed, and more importantly ... who's managing it (or not, rather).

The Daily Beast outlined the drama quite well -- noting it all started with RéAnna praising Chloe Bailey's rendition of Nina's song "Feeling Good," which she put out to celebrate Juneteenth. However, it caught some flak ... supposedly for being over-sexualized.

RéAnna defended Chloe, though, by saying ... "Everyone’s coming at @ChloeBailey for her performance of my grandmother Nina Simone’s song “Feeling Good." She added, "But what y’all don’t understand is that grandma was a free spirited woman herself!! She would’ve loved that performance  as much as I do! Relax. Chloe killed it. #NinaSimone"

Chloe seemed to appreciate the shout-out. But, things took a hard left turn, as someone asked RéAnna in her comments why her family would create a Twitter account for her grandmother, who passed away in 2003. That set off a looong stream of bashing.

RéAnna wrote this in response ... "Nina’s granddaughter here. My family doesn’t run her estate anymore. It was taken away from us & given to white people. Our family name was DRAGGED in the media. We get NO royalties, nothing. Wanna hold someone accountable?Ask Kamala Harris why she came for my family #NinaSimone."

You can check out the rest of the thread yourself to get into the nitty-gritty -- but essentially, RéAnna blames Kamala for barring her fam from access to Nina's estate ... not to mention rights to her image/likeness, royalties, creative decisions with the IP and everything else.

RéAnna says Kamala and co. gave all those powers to "white people" ... and she feels like her heritage and ties to her grandmother have virtually disappeared, all because of what Kamala's office decided when they were overseeing this estate/charity case back in 2013.

A bit of backstory -- RéAnna's mother, Lisa, was made administrator of Nina's estate upon death ... but some time later, she was accused of misappropriating funds that were tied to both the estate and a charity set up in Nina's name. That's how Kamala's office got involved -- and in the end, they reached a settlement ... the terms of which RéAnna is shedding light on now ... not to mention Lisa herself, who praised her daughter for "speaking her truth."

As part of the settlement, Lisa was prohibited from associating herself with Nina in what seems to be any capacity -- be it familial or otherwise ... in addition to a de facto gag order forbidding her from talking about Nina. That's why RéAnna is speaking up on the issue.

Monica Lewinsky -- the most famous intern of all time -- tried getting in on the fun over HBO's own intern screwing the pooch, but people are pissed because ... the Clintons.

The onetime White House aide, who was embroiled in a salacious affair with then-President Bill Clinton, tweeted out a "Dear Intern" message of her own ... this as scores of people did the same to console an anonymous HBO Max intern, who'd gone viral for the wrong reasons.

ICYMI ... a strange email was sent to a ton of HBO Max subscribers earlier this week -- which read, "This template is used by integration tests only" ... which many took as a mistake, perhaps at the hands of a newbie who made an error and hit the wrong button.

HBO Max came out and confirmed that was, in fact, the case ... saying they were "helping them through it" -- so no harm, no foul it seems.

Folks chimed in with "Dear Intern" notes, giving the HBO intern advice ... while also reflecting on their own intern snafus. Monica did the same -- writing ... "dear intern: it gets better. P.S.: don't wear a beret for a while, k?" Pretty funny, right?!? WRONG!!! Or so says Twitter, anyway.

Different users dogpiled ML for what they perceived as her making herself out to be the victim of a saga that's more than 20 years old at this point ... and not just that, but indirectly roping Hillary into the conversation -- which some take as subtle shade on Monica's part.

While scores of people defended HRC and the Clinton family at large against the seemingly innocent joke -- others were quick to point out that the anger aimed at Monica is misguided and totally misdirected ... as they say she WAS a victim, and the true culprit is ... Bubba.

Champ, the beloved dog of Joe and Jill Biden has died.

The German Shepherd passed at the White House Saturday ... and Jill says he went peacefully.

The First Lady tweeted, "'RIP to our sweet, good boy, Champ. We will miss you always."

Champ moved to the White House with the Bidens and their other dog, Major, in January when the president took office.

The President and First Lady issued a statement ... "Our hearts are heavy today as we let you all know that our beloved German Shepard, Champ, passed away peacefully at home. He was our constant, cherished companion during the last 13 years and was adored by the entire Biden family. Even as Champ's strength waned in his last months, when we came into a room, he would immediately pull himself up, his tail always wagging, and nuzzle us for an ear scratch or a belly rub."

They went on ... "Wherever we were, he wanted to be, and everything was instantly better when he was next to us. He loved nothing more than curling up at our feet in front of a fire at the end of the day, joining us as a comforting presence in meetings, or sunning himself in the White House garden. In his younger days, he was happiest chasing golf balls on the front lawn of the Naval Observatory or racing to catch our grandchildren as they ran around our backyard in Delaware."

They ended with this ... "In our most joyful moments and in our most grief-stricken days, he was there with us, sensitive to our every unspoken feeling and emotion. We love our sweet, good boy and will miss him always."

Champ and his brother, 3-year-old Major moved into the White House in January but went back to Delaware for additional training because of all the commotion at the White House.

Champ was born in Pennsylvania and the Biden's got him as a puppy. His granddaughters named him.

Champ was 13.

Marlon Wayans isn't stopping with a federally mandated 3-day weekend, no sir ... the Juneteenth celebration he has in mind requires taking the whole month off!!!

We got the comedian and actor Friday leaving Equinox in WeHo, and asked how he plans to recognize the U.S of A's newest national holiday. Marlon isn't waiting for President Biden's signature -- he's simply anointing June as Black History Month, Part II.

On a serious note, or at least seriously funny ... Marlon told us how Black people will be marking the holiday this weekend. Sounds like he'll be joining in starting tonight, on what he calls Juneteenth eve.

We also ask him how non-Black Americans should celebrate. He says that's a no-brainer.

As we reported, on Thursday, Biden officially signed Juneteenth into law.

Juneteenth, of course, is the oldest celebration in America commemorating the end of slavery. Brush up some more on the history here. It had previously been a state holiday or an observed day in 47 states and Washington D.C.

President Biden just made it official ... there's now a federal holiday marking a milestone in the abolishment of slavery in the United States.

Biden put pen to paper Thursday, signing a landmark bill establishing June 19 as Juneteenth National Independence Day. It's a huge deal, and not only because it's the first new federal holiday established since 1983 with Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

Juneteenth is the oldest celebration in America commemorating the end of slavery. Prior to Biden signing the bill, the day was marked as a state holiday or observance in 47 states and Washington D.C.

While both Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris said the holiday shows how far America's come as a nation, they stressed there's still a long road to go in making good on the promise for equality for all.

Still, Kamala says it's a day of celebration and the party's already starting on Capitol Hill ... the Congressional Black Congress sang "Lift Every Voice and Sing" -- aka the "Black National Anthem" -- after the bill was signed in the House and sent to Biden's desk.

Biden and Harris hope folks understand the history of Juneteenth and learn from it ... so here's a quick lesson.

The name Juneteenth comes from June 19, 1865, the date Union General Gordon Granger rode into Galveston, Texas and informed a group of slaves the Civil War was over and they were free.

Of course, President Lincoln had actually abolished slavery with the Emancipation Proclamation nearly 3 years earlier, but Texas was the most remote of the slave states and had a low presence of Union soldiers ... so enforcement was beyond slow.

The first Juneteenth celebration traces its roots to 1866 in Texas, with the holiday spreading across the South in the following decades, and in 2020 there was a renewed push to make it a federal holiday.

Usher was spotted at the White House for the historic event.

D.L. Hughley's fired up about Juneteenth becoming a federal holiday, but it's got nothing to do with getting a 3-day weekend -- he's fuming at the ironic dilemma it presents.

We got the comedian on "TMZ Live" Thursday and he made a hilarious comparison about President Biden soon signing Juneteenth into law to make it the 12th federal holiday. D.L. says it's like getting the wrong order from Amazon, and keeping it ... but still wondering why the original order's missing in the first place.

His point is Black people have been demanding justice and equality, but instead got a 3-day weekend. Yeah, no one's gonna complain, but what about the justice part?

D.L. says there's another aspect of the new Juneteenth federal holiday that reeks of irony -- the fact that several U.S. Senators who voted for the bill are simultaneously trying to block schools from teaching about the role slavery played in building America. As he put it ... it's kinda hard to explain the holiday if critical race theory is censored.

More than 20 states have introduced legislation that would restrict lessons on racism or any other "divisive" concepts. Hughley says this is the duality of our life in America.

Vladimir Putin and Russia are not responsible for the swarm of UFOs being reported by U.S. Navy pilots, according to Rep. Tim Burchett ... who says the aircraft must be from another galaxy!!!

We got the U.S. Congressman from Tennessee on Capitol Hill Tuesday and asked him about the rash of sightings in U.S. airspace or off our shores ... and the speculation President Biden plans to raise the issue Wednesday during his Geneva summit with Putin.

Rep. Burchett's having a hard time believing the Russians are involved. He says if they had the kind of advanced technology pilots have reported seeing ... Putin would already own America.

Instead, the Congressman thinks the objects -- which are seen on video operating in ways defying known laws of physics and gravity -- must be something from beyond the Milky Way.

There's lots of government chatter about UFOs these days, with intelligence officials expected to release an unclassified report for the first time before the end of June. Burchett says he's been disappointed with empty promises before about releasing UFO info ... and even calls out former Prez Trump for missing the mark.

The Congressman told us "something's clearly going on" ... but the powers that be think folks can't handle the truth. He also offered up a Biblical theory about the existence of UFOs.

If the highly-anticipated government report doesn't cough up some real intel, Burchett says it will only prove why some people believe more in UFOs than in their elected officials.

Kamala Harris breaks lots of ground ... the latest being she's the first Vice President of the United States to march in solidarity of LGBTQ rights.

The Veep and her husband, Doug Emhoff, took to the streets Saturday in Washington D.C. for the Pride March. There was no advanced notice she would show, so it was a big surprise to marchers when she showed up in a pink blazer. Doug wore a t-shirt with a rainbow inscription. They both marched for a block or so.

Harris spoke at the Capital Pride rally, urging Congress to pass the Equality Act. She said, "We need to make sure that our transgender community and our youth are all protected. We need, still, protections around employment and housing."

The Veep added during the rally at Freedom Plaza, "There is so much more work to do, and I know we are committed."

President Biden kept his cool while having every right in the world to bug out ... this as a creepy-crawler tried making itself at home smack dab on his head!

46 was at Joint Base Andrews Wednesday AM ahead of his international trip to Europe -- where he's slated to meet with other world leaders, including Vladimir Putin -- and before takeoff ... the guy had to play defense against a freakin' cicada, brushing it off his neck.

The gross-out moment was caught on camera as JB talked to one of the men in uniform -- as was Biden's grossed-out face after he flicked the little bastard onto the ground ... where it belongs.

Joe trotted over to the press afterward and confirmed ... cicadas were around, and that he'd just taken care of one personally. His warning did NOT go unheeded -- as the folks following him around had to deal as well. Reports say the press plane was chock-full of cicadas.

Apparently, a swarm of the insects found their way into the engine area of the aircraft ... and actually caused a delay Tuesday night before they could hit the skies.

These buggers are all over D.C. ... CNN's Manu Raju had to fend for himself during a live shot from Capitol Hill. He reacted a little more frantically than ol' Joey here did.

Vice President Kamala Harris is getting the Beatles treatment south of the border ... tons of TV crews are chasing after her motorcade, with cameramen standing on the backs of moving motorcycles!!!

Ya gotta see the scene down in Mexico City, where a huge throng of media is racing after the Veep trying to get a shot, but it almost looks like she's being followed by a biker gang ... that happens to be outfitted with cameras and live stream equipment.

It's definitely not something we see every day in the United States, and it looks like a lot of the motorcycling media aren't even wearing helmets. These are some brave hombres.

Kamala's in town to meet with Mexico's President, Andrés Manuel López Obrador, and if the mass of cameras trained on her every move didn't already give it away ... the visit is a BIG deal to a lot of people.

All the attention and TV cameras gotta make ya wonder -- is Donald Trump a little jealous of the Vice Prez??

Barack Obama just hit one of the most famous golf courses in the world for a game with some pals ... a group that included one of the most famous NBA coaches around too.

The former President was out at none other than the Pebble Beach Golf Links course Sunday near Monterey, CA ... where he was joined by Golden State Warriors HC Steve Kerr ... who appeared to be his partner (or competition perhaps?) for the day.

TMZ got video of 44 teeing off on the first hole -- and it looks like he sliced his initial attempt ... being allowed a mulligan (aka, a do-over), which apparently went much better, as he got a round of applause from a crowd of people that had gathered to watch POTUS hit.

You can tell Barry was in a pretty good mood ... laughing it up, cracking jokes about his caddy and even posing for photos at one point with Steve and co.

Of course, there was also a swarm of SS agents around standing watch ... and thier presence wasn't very low key either. Check out the cavalry of cars and SUVs they pulled up in. Still, folks just soaked it in -- and didn't appear to bother Barack while he played.

While it might seem a little surprising that Kerr was out there playing with the ex-leader of our nation ... it's not really when you consider their history. The Warriors have visited the White House in the past -- and Kerr even used to play for the Bulls, which is Obama's team.

Bill Maher murdered last night with a hilarious take on the latest Jan 6 conspiracy theory ... that the insurrectionists were actually Democrats dressed up as Trump supporters to make the Prez look bad.

The "Real Time" host barely held it together with his show-and-tell ... beginning with a well-worn MAGA hat, followed by a MAGA hat with enhancements!

Bill just lost it with the meth teeth ... but there was more -- so much more, ending with the ladies getting some bling that might send shivers down the spine of the former VEEP.

It was hysterical ... Bill says the getup was courtesy of George Soros's home costume dept. As for who worked the sweatshop -- well, Bill and Tim Robbins, of course.

Then there was a book, instructing rebellious Dems on how to purchase a fake flag or 2.

Maybe the best ... the cleverly misspelled sign falsely ID'ing the rioters.

In all seriousness, 73% of Republicans actually believe this ... that what you saw on TV was a frame job by left-wingers. And, of course, they all think the election was rigged.

Donald Trump could jettison his threat to run for Prez again, and instead become a junior member of the House of Reps ... but there's a twist.

Trump was on a right-wing radio show and asked about an idea Steve Bannon concocted ... that Trump runs for the House next year. D.C. insiders believe there's a real chance Republicans could re-capture control of the House in the midterm election, and that could position him to then throw his hat in the ring as Speaker.

On the Wayne Allyn Root radio show Friday, Trump called the idea "interesting."

It seems improbable, but that has never stopped Trump before. He's toyed with his supporters, suggesting he'll make another Presidential run in 2024. That, of course, could be complicated by the various criminal investigations involving him, his family and his businesses.

Trump also took a shot at Mark Zuckerberg. As you know, Facebook has now banned Trump for 2 years, saying his social media posts represented a real threat. Trump fired back, "Next time I'm in the White House, there will be no more dinners, at his request, with Mark Zuckerberg and his wife. It will all be business!"

Facebook is dropping the hammer on Donald Trump ... announcing he'll remain off the platform until early 2023 due to the "risk to public safety."

The social media giant said Friday it's decided that "given the gravity of the circumstances that led to Mr. Trump’s suspension, we believe his actions constituted a severe violation of our rules which merit the highest penalty available under the new enforcement protocols."

The suspension is effective from the date of the initial suspension ... which came down on January 7. Facebook says it'll reevaluate at the end of that period and "if we determine that there is still a serious risk to public safety, we will extend the restriction for a set period of time and continue to re-evaluate until that risk has receded."

Facebook says when the suspension is eventually lifted "there will be a strict set of rapidly escalating sanctions that will be triggered" if Trump acts up again ... which could include a permanent ban.

Trump, of course, was NOT happy about the decision ... calling Facebook's decision an insult to the 75 million people who voted for him in the last election. He added, "[Facebook] shouldn’t be allowed to get away with this censoring and silencing and, ultimately, we will win. Our [c]ountry can’t take this abuse anymore!"

As we reported, Facebook chief Mark Zuckerberg banned Trump from the platform in the wake of the Capitol riot ... saying it was too great a risk to America for Trump to remain on the platform.

Zuckerberg had hoped Facebook's oversight board would make a final decision on Trump's ban when it met a month ago. Instead, the board told Zuckerberg he would have to make that call.

Facebook says it knows its decision will face backlash -- with some saying a private company had overreached, while others will say it went soft on Trump by not issuing a lifetime ban.

Interestingly, IF Trump opts to run for Prez again ... January 2023 would be a critical time for him to get back on social media.