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Donald Trump's comparison of George Washington to Robert E. Lee won't result in monuments of the first Prez being ripped down across the country -- because GW is in a class all his own -- so says his estate.

Trump lashed out at reporters Tuesday, defending those protesting the removal of the Confederate General's statue in Charlottesville. The Prez made the bold comparison between Lee and GW -- who also owned slaves -- asking if Washington's statues were fair game for removal too.

Curt Viebranz, a rep at Mount Vernon -- GW's estate -- tells us Trump's connection of the two is ridiculous. Curt says there's no denying George was a slave owner, however No.1's views changed with time ... and he was the only founding father to eventually release his slaves.

Viebranz says the real difference is that GW's statues aren't "lightning rods for white nationalists" and their rallies, like the one organized in Charlottesville that left a woman dead.

Ryan Reynolds led the "Deadpool 2" crew in a moment of silence for the stuntwoman killed on set ... as filming resumed just 48 hours after her death.

We broke the story ... Joi "SJ" Harris died after a motorcycle stunt went terribly wrong during filming on Monday. Reynolds and the rest of the crew had 2 days to mourn her death ... then it was time for him to get back in the suit.

The actor returned to filming in downtown Vancouver, Canada Wednesday ... and was spotted shooting scenes on top of a flipped truck.

As we reported, Harris was a professional racer, and sadly her tragedy serves as a reminder that Hollywood can be dangerous ... but the show goes on.

Tom Cruise broke his ankle while performing a stunt for the new 'Mission: Impossible' movie ... and production is officially on pause.

A rep for Paramount Pictures -- the studio behind 'MI:6' -- tells TMZ ... "Tom Cruise broke his ankle while performing a stunt. Production will go on hiatus while Tom makes a full recovery."

The rep goes on to say that the movie is still on schedule to be released next July.

As we reported ... Tom tried and failed the dubious stunt at least twice -- and one of those times apparently put him out of commission.

Get well soon, Tom.

Heather Heyer's mother says the white supremacists and hate groups responsible for her daughter's death didn't shut her up ... they made her message that much louder.

Susan Bro gave a powerful speech Wednesday at her daughter's memorial service in Charlottesville's Paramount Theater, and served up a rallying cry for what her daughter died for ... standing up against hate.

Susan told a packed room ... "They tried to kill my child to shut her up. Well guess what? You just magnified her." She added ... if people continue Heather's legacy of fighting racism and hate, it'd make her daughter's death worthwhile.

Susan ended with a powerful message ... "I'd rather have my child. But, by golly, if I gotta give her up, we're gonna make it count."

20-year-old James Alex Fields Jr. -- an alleged neo-Nazi sympathizer -- has been charged with murder in connection to the crime.

The NFL is calling out the NFL Player's Association ... saying the league has received tips that the NFLPA is going on a smear campaign against Ezekiel Elliott's accuser in an effort to exonerate the RB.

Multiple reports have surfaced in the past few days, painting the accuser as everything from a racist to an extortionist ... and the NFL's public relations honcho says the reports are shameful.

"Over the past few days we’ve received multiple reports of the NFLPA spreading derogatory information to the media about the victim in the Ezekiel Elliott discipline case," Brian McCarthy said.

"It's a common tactic to attempt to prove the innocence of the accused by discrediting the victim -- in this case Ms. Thompson -- when coming forward to report such abuse."

"Common or not, these tactics are shameful. Efforts to shame and blame victims are often what prevent people from coming forward to report violence and/or seek help in the first place."

We called the NFLPA for comment -- so far, no word back.

The NFL is standing by its investigation into Zeke -- which the league says showed a pattern of domestic violence against his ex-girlfriend, Tiffany Thompson.

Chris Brown says he's still haunted by the night he beat Rihanna -- and remembers going into a blind rage when he busted her lip and she spit blood in his face.

Brown gave the graphic blow-by-blow in a documentary called, "Chris Brown: Welcome to My Life" -- in which he says there were MULTIPLE violent incidents during his relationship with Rihanna.

But Brown goes into graphic detail about the attack on Feb. 8, 2009. Brown says it all started when she was going through text messages on his phone and she found something she didn't like.

Brown says Rihanna was upset -- and things escalated quickly.

"I remember she tried to kick me, but then I really hit her, with a closed fist, I punched her."

"I busted her lip. When I saw it, I was in shock. I was like, 'F*ck, why the hell did I hit her?'"

"From there she just spit in my face ... spit blood in my face and it enraged me even more.”

Brown says Rihanna got out of the car and began to scream for help -- saying, "He's trying to kill me."

Brown was convicted of felony assault and sentenced to 5 years probation, 180 days community service and a year of counseling.

Brown says the incident is going to haunt him forever.

Count T.I. in the chorus of people who believe Donald Trump is in bed with white supremacists and neo-Nazis.

We got Tip at LAX Tuesday and asked what he made of Trump's flip-flop on Charlottesville.

Welp, T.I. doesn't mince words -- or cool sayings either -- to slam DT for what many are calling his worst moment yet as President.

In short ... T.I. didn't expect anything less. And it sounds like he's going with YG on this one.

There's a new upcoming music fest raising eyebrows in wake of the disastrous Fyre Festival ... and one man claims he's already been ripped off by it.

Simon Perez says in a new lawsuit ... he was hired by the Starfest Music Festival -- scheduled to go down next month in Plano, TX -- to book big musical acts for a 15 percent commission. According to the docs ... Starfest told Perez they'd already booked Drake, and had deep pockets for him to find additional headliners.

Perez claims he got busy and delivered offers to musicians like Deadmau5, Flo Rida, All-American Rejects, DJ Khaled, Macklemore and more, and was able to sign Deadmau5 for $500k in July ... which meant a $75k commission for himself. He says he also scored Flo Rida for the fest for $125k, meaning an additional $18,750 in commission.

Problem is -- Perez claims Starfest went behind his back to sign musicians on its own to avoid triggering his commission. He says Starfest denies he had any part in booking Deadmau5 and Flo Rida, and still hasn't cut him a check ... or even given him a cheese sandwich.

He's suing for damages and legal fees. He's being represented by Colony Law.

We've reached out to Starfest ... no word back so far.

Judge Jeanine Pirro has a mean wolf whistle that can stop traffic.

We got the FNC host in rainy NYC Tuesday and she impressed our photog by blowing hard to get a cab.

As proud and loud as she was over hailing a taxi, she was radio silent when it came to Donald Trump's flip-flop over his "condemnation" of white supremacists and neo-Nazis.

President Donald Trump's ex-campaign manager threatened his neighbors with a baseball bat and vaguely threatened to get the President involved ... this according to a new lawsuit.

Corey Lewandowski -- the same guy infamously charged with misdemeanor battery for manhandling a reporter at a Trump campaign event in 2016 -- allegedly threatened to use his political connections to bury his neighbors after a land dispute.

In docs, Glenn and Irene Schwartz also claim Lewandowski intimidated them by standing outside with a baseball bat. The beef stems over Lewandowski's claim -- in a $5 million lawsuit -- his neighbors blocked access to his pond-front lot in Windham, New Hampshire.

Britney Spears is going back to the drawing board and redrafting her will ... all for the benefit of her 2 boys.

Britney's longtime conservators have filed legal docs asking for permission to change her will, which was drafted before she gave birth to Sean, now 11, and Jayden, now 10.

We've learned the current will simply provides ... when Britney dies her kids inherit her entire estate. Problem is ... they would get her entire fortune -- estimated at hundreds of millions of dollars -- when they turn 18. It's not wise to open the vault all at once to 18-year-olds.

Our sources say the new estate plan creates a trust for the kids, who will inherit her entire estate. But they will not have access to the entire fortune until they turn 35. The trust gives them limited access at 18, more access to the money at 25, but they won't get it all until they're eligible to run for President.

The trust also slashes the amount of inheritance tax the estate will have to pay.

The judge has to approve the change, but there shouldn't be any problem.

Mel B wanted to tell the world she's single ... but to paraphrase Bill Clinton, "single" doesn't always mean single.

Scary Spice -- in a jumpsuit probably better fitted for an 'X-Men' premiere -- gushed over an Air Force Academy group's performance on Tuesday's live "America's Got Talent" show at the Dolby Theater in Hollywood.

Check it out ... Mel dished her analysis before blurting out, "And yes ... I am so happy to be single right now."

A couple of things. She's still married to estranged husband Stephen Belafonte. And, as we reported ... Mel's dating a Beverly Hills cop and is head over heels for the guy. He's with her all the time.

It's the new single.

Even with a mask ... Pharrell Williams ain't hard to pick out of a crowd at Disneyland.

Pharrell tried going incognito Monday by pulling a Michael Jackson at the theme park. If you recall, the King of Pop always wore one in public with limited success.

P's is definitely fashion forward if not useful. His cover was compromised by the security guards who flanked him as he strolled the park.

The 'Voice' coach hit up the rides with his wife, Helen Lasichanh, their kid, Rocket, and some friends. He removed the mask on the Radiator Springs Racers ride at Disney California Adventure.

They don't call it the Happiest Place on Earth for nothin'.

Beyonce's mom tells TMZ Sports it would be "really great" if her daughter became the next owner of the Houston Rockets -- saying she's got the Houston connection that fans would love!

After current Rockets owner Leslie Alexander announced he was selling the team last month, Beyonce's name showed up in reports as a very interested buyer.

So, when we saw Tina Knowles leaving Mastro's Steakhouse in Bev Hills on Tuesday, we had to ask ... what's up?!

Tina wasn't spilling the tea on B's business plans -- but did explain why she thinks the Rockets would be the perfect fit for her daughter.

Peter Thomas -- the guy who brought a knife to a ... well ... fight -- could be getting his own spin-off show after splitting from Cynthia Bailey on 'RHOA.'

Production sources tell us Peter and Bravo started filming a pilot focusing on his club in Charlotte, NC, Club One -- think "Vanderpump Rules."

We're told the show will cover Peter's life owning and managing the club in the aftermath of his breakup with Cynthia last year on 'Real Housewives of Atlanta.' We're told it's highly unlikely Cynthia will come on as a guest.

You'll recall ... Peter pulled a box cutter on Kenya Moore's ex, Matt Jordan, in March during a brawl the 2 had in the middle of a radio interview. At the time, he claimed self-defense.

We're told the network is happy with what it's seeing and it's looking like the show will make air.

Hey ... why wouldn't it? The drama's so thick, you could cut it with a ... forget it.

Floyd Mayweather says he's putting business before pleasure -- and won't have sex before he fights Conor McGregor.

It's an old superstition that's been around the boxing game for years. You remember Mick from the 'Rocky' movies famously said, "Women weaken legs."

Floyd seems to agree. Conor McGregor has a different strategy.

"That is most certainly a superstition that I do not abide by," Conor told Conan O'Brien back in 2015 ... "I definitely have as much sex as possible."

So, to bang or not to bang? That is the question ...