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Only thing missing between 'Real Housewives of New York' star Jules Wainstein and estranged hubby Michael was some actual slimy mud during a vicious back-and-forth slinging in court.

The estranged couple appeared in court Wednesday in NYC for a spousal and child support hearing that quickly went south ... with their lawyers going at each other's throats with allegations of money troubles, drug use and being unfit parents.

Michael painted Jules as someone living way beyond her means ... whose spending quadrupled when she joined 'RHONY.' Michael pointed to a $40k AmEx bill in 2015 and $2k spent on Uber the first 15 days of October.

He also brought up Jules' history of drug use documented on TV ... to which the judge snapped back by saying, "I don't decide my cases based on what's on TV."

Jules admitted to making $60k during her 1 year stint on 'RHONY' while she was married. She blamed Michael for a pile of unpaid bills and not having filed proper tax returns in nearly a decade.

She said Michael doesn't deserve more time with their kids. She claims every other weekend is more than enough, since all he does is pawn the kids off on their nanny.

The judge made no decisions, saying they need to resolve their money issues first. Same goes for custody ... though the judge added there could well be a trial.

Charlie Sheen's ex-wife, Brooke Mueller, made a getaway in an SUV early Wednesday morning with her 7-year-old sons ... after eyewitnesses called police out of concern for the kids.

TMZ spoke to one of the witnesses who says he and a couple friends were driving past a Salt Lake City car wash around 6 AM Wednesday when they saw a woman swinging wildly at her kids. They pulled over to confront her, not realizing it was Brooke, but say she immediately started yelling.

The witness says he recognized Brooke once they got face-to-face, and she seemed "high as a kite." He adds ... Bob and Max were in PJs with no shoes, and one of them begged, "Don't call the cops, they are going to take my mommy away!" Still, the men called police.

He says Brooke walked to a run-down hotel behind the car wash and went inside momentarily before the black Escalade arrived. We're told Brooke, the boys and someone who appeared to be an assistant or nanny immediately fled before cops arrived.

The witness reported the vehicle's license plate to cops.

Law enforcement sources tell us Utah's state police have spoken to Brooke by phone, and no longer think the children are in danger. They're also saying she didn't commit a crime.

TMZ broke the story ... police were first called when she went into a bar Tuesday night with the boys, then wandered around town looking for a hotel room.

Brendan Dassey will be released from prison by no later than Friday at 8 PM after a judge rejected the state's last-ditch effort to keep him locked up.

The state of Wisconsin had a filed a motion on Tuesday asking a judge to leave Dassey in prison while the appeal of his release order is pending. The judge denied the state's motion, saying prosecutors were merely rehashing same points the court already rejected.

Dassey was ordered released because a judge found cops got the then 16-year-old to confess about Teresa Halbach without an adult present.

Police are searching for 2 of Charlie Sheen's kids after his ex-wife, Brooke Mueller, wandered into a Salt Lake City bar with them Tuesday night looking disheveled.

Sources close to the situation tell us Brooke's bizarre behavior started last night when she popped up barefoot in the bar ... with her 7-year-old twins, Bob and Max, and tried to bum a cigarette.

Witnesses say there was a nanny with them and Brooke got into an altercation with her. We're told someone called police because of the fight and the fact Brooke had 2 kids in a bar. We're told Brooke bolted before they arrived -- and then started popping up at several hotels in the area, trying to get a room.

It appears Brooke told someone in the bar she was Sheen's ex and even gave them his phone number -- because we're told cops placed a call to Charlie to tell him about the situation.

As of Wednesday morning ... law enforcement sources tell TMZ they're still investigating. Salt Lake City PD got a call about Brooke and the kids around 6:30 AM, but they have not located them.

We spoke to Charlie and he says, "I'm just trying to get my kids home safe. I have no other details that relate to the ongoing event."

Brooke moved to Utah earlier this year for rehab, and continued living there to get outpatient treatment.

Donald Trump has pissed off the reporting pool in hilarious fashion by ditching them Tuesday night for a steak dinner with his fam.

Trump and his team told reporters he was done for the night, but a number of reporters were infuriated to find out later in the evening he left Trump Tower with Melania, Ivanka, Jared Kushner, Donald Jr. and Eric for the 21 Club.

One story calls it a "lack of transparency."

"Doc McStuffins" is here to stay for a few more years ... so all the parents and kids worrying about the show getting cut can take a deep sigh of relief.

You'll remember back in June, Disney posted its renewal list and the popular show was missing ... so parents took to the web for a good old fashioned freak-out. However, we've learned season 5 has officially gotten the green light from network honchos.

The show features an African-American main character and has become a huge hit.

We're told season 5 won't officially hit the tube until 2018 ... so parents, get ready for some reruns until then.

Cue that damn theme song ...

CNN anchor Jake Tapper was super thoughtful Tuesday about mistakes the media and others made during the presidential campaign.

Tapper was leaving LAX when our photog asked for his takeaway on Trump's victory, and Jake was clear ... pollsters and media orgs need to take a look at how they cover presidential politics.

Conor McGregor has set his terms to box Floyd Mayweather -- $100 MILLION!

The two had been going back and forth on TMZ Sports earlier this week -- with Floyd calling him an "ant" and Conor daring him to "say that to my face."

But Tuesday night at 1 OAK in NYC, Conor took over the DJ booth, hijacked the mic and called out the boxer for everyone to see.

"Floyd's not ready for this," McGregor said.

"Much respect to Floyd. He's a solid businessman on what he's been able to do ... he's a f**king animal at what he's been able to do. But as far as real fighting ... as far as true pure unarmed combat ... Floyd don't want none of this."

"He wants a boxing match, he doesn't want a fight."

"I want a $100 million cash to fight him under boxing rules ... he's afraid of a real fight."

Ball's in Floyd's court now ...

Dana White ain't taking too kindly to Floyd Mayweather's shots at Conor McGregor -- blasting the boxing legend as one of the most boring fighters ever ... who needs to RESPECT the Irish stud.

Cops have nabbed 2 people for beating and robbing Jake Harris and then leaving him for dead on the side of a road.

The suspects, Jorel Fultz and Amanda Ritter, were arrested late Tuesday. The couple faces 1st degree felony robbery charges -- plus an extra assault charge for Fultz.

As we reported ... the former "Deadliest Catch" star said he had caught a ride back into town over the weekend after a night at a casino in Washington state, before a fight broke out and he was thrown out of the vehicle. He woke up bloodied and battered on the side of the road ... his wallet, ID and cash nowhere in sight.

Law enforcement sources tell us Fultz and Ritter were arrested in the city of Spokane, but will eventually be transferred to Everette, where the alleged crime occurred. They're both being held without bond.

Dog the Bounty Hunter has unconventional methods for proving whether or not Steven Avery is worthy of a get out of jail free card like his nephew Brendan Dassey.

Dog was leaving Catch in WeHo Tuesday night, and while Dog's usually the guy forcibly locking people up, he thinks more people like Dassey will be getting out in the future.

Rapper Young M.A is not only super popular ... she's proud to be a role model for young gay people trying to find themselves.

The openly gay artist -- who is CRUSHING 2016 with her hit "Ooouuu" -- seemed happy she's inspiring the next generation.

Cedric the Entertainer has an important message to any would-be violent protesters out there -- just don't.

We caught up with the comedian Tuesday in Bev Hills and he weighed in on the countrywide protests against Donald Trump's election win. Cedric's crystal clear -- it's ok to be angry but there's a limit.

Mama June's granddaughter, Kaitlyn Cardwell, is now bandage-free and showing off her solo thumb.

TMZ broke the story ... Kaitlyn's mom, Anna, made the decision last month to have an extra thumb surgically removed from the 4-year-old's right hand. The surgery went off without a hitch, and Kaitlyn's recovery went faster than expected ... so she got to ditch her cast early.

Kaitlyn's extra digit was a big talking point on the show, but we're told it won't be missed. Most importantly, she's feeling great after the surgery.

High-powered attorney Roy Black -- who's pulled Justin Bieber and Kelsey Grammer's bacon out of the fire -- is hoping to squeeze more than a mil out of his Hollywood Hills home.

Black and his wife, former 'Real Housewife' Lea Black, have listed the fully remodeled 4 bedroom, 5 bath pad above Sunset Strip for $3.2 million. They bought it in 2004 for $1.76 mil, so looks like they may make a little profit.

The home is listed by Steven Spreafico and has 3,536 sq feet, floor to ceiling windows and some of the best sight lines in the city. The ridiculous amount of outdoor living space is a major bonus too.

Slim Thug's dinner was rudely interrupted by cops serving bad news -- crooks rolled his Rolls-Royce in the restaurant parking lot.

Slim tells TMZ ... he was having a business meeting over dinner at a Houston's ... in Houston, when someone smashed one window on his 2015 Rolls-Royce Wraith, and stole an iPhone. Cops tells us the whole caper was captured on security cameras, and the footage is key to their investigation.

Even though they only broke one window, it's a Rolls window. Slim says repairs will cost about $10k because the shattered glass messed up his leather and his paint job.

Silver linings? Insurance will cover the damage, and he enjoyed a delicious Hawaiian Rib-eye steak!