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President Trump is defending the way he handled the death of Senator John McCain, saying he did "everything that they requested" and didn't bungle a damn thing.

The Prez sat down with Bloomberg News Thursday for an exclusive interview in the Oval Office, and reporters asked if he missed an opportunity to unite the country and made a mistake by initially not keeping the White House's American flag at half staff until McCain was buried -- an honor that's been bestowed on other senators who've died while in office.

You'll recall ... Trump ordered the flag be flown at half staff the day McCain died, but it was flying at full staff just a day later -- which pissed off A LOT of people, and reportedly caused a veterans group to personally demand that he lower it again out of respect.

Trump caved to the pressure, and eventually issued a statement praising McCain's service to the country after acting clammy at first with reporters who asked about the late statesman.

There's also this ... Bloomberg asked if he thought McCain would've made a better president than Barack Obama ... and DT refused to answer, saying "I don’t want to comment on it ... I have a very strong opinion, all right." Bloomberg notes that Sarah Huckabee Sanders was staring daggers at her boss while he said this, to which he reportedly joked that she was "having a nervous breakdown" over his response -- adding he might elaborate someday.

Smokey Robinson was a lifelong friend of Aretha's, with way too many memories to isolate just one.

We got the legendary singer/songwriter at LAX Thursday, where he was leaving for Detroit to attend the Queen's funeral.

Smokey knew Aretha since he was 8, and he reminisces about the good times they had as kids, when life was very, very different from the way it is today.

Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti knows all too well that people confuse Rodeo Road with the Rodeo Drive ... but that's NOT why the former was renamed Obama Blvd.

We got hizzoner at USC's Galen Center in downtown L.A. and our camera guy just had to know -- was the reason for the change that untold numbers of folks ended up accidentally going to glitzy Beverly Hills instead of south L.A. or vice versa.

Our photog's question triggered an LOL from the Mayor ... who got in on the joke before getting all presidential on us. Garcetti explained Obama made a historic visit on the Road long before he was POTUS ... and that's what triggered the move for the switch.

Watch the vid ... our guy has another trick up his sleeve in getting Garcetti to spill the beans on whether he's running for Prez in 2020.

4:41 PM PT -- Perla's attorney, Marty Singer, tells us unlike what Slash may think, ending the marriage won't be that easy. Singer says, "Slash is well aware of the significant claims that have been made by Perla as to why the divorce documents cannot be finalized at this time."

Singer says, "These include claims reflected in Perla’s court filings that there was a multi-million dollar audit settlement that was concealed from Perla, not paying in excess of $1,500,000 in child and spousal support payments, and significant advances received by Slash that will affect his future spousal and child support payments."

He continues, "Even though Slash reported over $45,000,000 of income last year, my client’s court papers allege that he refused to pay for a $1500 drum set that was requested by his son, a musician in a band, so that he could have a drum set at his mother’s home where he spends approximately 90% of his time. The other drum sets are at Slash’s home and studio where Slash does not allow his teenage son to remove them.”

Slash says his estranged wife is holding up finalizing their divorce for a bunch of trivial reasons -- the latest of which he says he's happy to help with ... if she agrees to close the book on their marriage.

The Guns N' Roses rocker filed new divorce docs responding to Perla Ferrar's latest claim in their ongoing war -- that Slash is hiding money from her, and that his new girlfriend is possibly responsible for harassing her and their kids online.

In the docs -- obtained by TMZ -- Slash shoots down the notion he's concealing income, saying he's got cash coming in from multiple sources ... lots of which had been earned before they ever got hitched.

He also raises a pretty hilarious scenario -- that Perla allegedly asked him to buy one of their boys a third drum set, then bought a fourth drum set on her own ... and demanded Slash reimburse her. He says that's another reason she's holding up their divorce.

In addition to that, Slash says Perla is griping about ways they stay in contact -- insisting she be allowed to call him directly for custody scheduling or emergencies. He says they'd already agreed to use a program that eliminates the need to talk directly ... but she's insisting she be able to get on the horn with her ex whenever she thinks the need arises.

Lastly, Slash addresses Perla's accusation that his live-in girlfriend created an IG account and was posting personal info about their family that could be harmful to their kids. Slash says he was alarmed at first, but quickly realized the account was aimed at Perla, not their boys ... and that a lot of the stuff being posted was from Perla's own account.

He says he's willing to help her get to the bottom of the IG harassment ... IF she agrees to the terms they struck in their divorce deal ... and IF she finally agrees to get divorced.

Originally Published -- 8/30/2018 10:32 AM PDT

"The One Where No One's Ready" and Joey wearing all of Chandler's clothes is definitely Balenciaga's inspiration for its insanely expensive 7-layer coat -- so says the "Friends" costume designer, who's flattered.

When Balenciaga's $9,000 coat became available for pre-order sales at Barney's New York, not only did it trigger immediate Joey memes across the globe, Debra McGuire -- the costume designer who came up with the look in season 3 -- also took notice.

Debra tells TMZ "the coat is wondrously similar. I am flattered." She adds, "Bravo then to the 'FRIENDS' inspired coat!!!"

Debra says the coat was never meant to be a fashion statement -- "I remember laying out all the pieces in the [Warner Bros.] workroom and contemplating the best way to construct while making it an easy garment to get in and out of. It would open from the back and Joey would enter that way."

She adds that's the biggest difference between her and Balenciaga ... "Assuming this 2018 version is worn like a coat that opens in the front."

Funny you should ask ... Balenciaga's coat is a heavily-layered parka that's one garment made up of 7 different types of clothing ... from a hoodie and shirt to a fleece jacket. There's also a puffy coat, but nothing like the one George wore in "Seinfield."

Don't event think about it, Balenciaga.

The man in charge of Aretha Franklin's funeral, Bishop Charles H. Ellis III, wants her fans around the world to know one thing -- get ready for church.

The pastor told us he's well aware he'll have a star-studded congregation during Friday's funeral, including Oprah Winfrey, Tyler Perry, Whoopi Goldberg, and President Clinton ... to name just a few. But he says the focus still has to be squarely on the Queen of Soul.

Bishop Ellis plans to celebrate her life in a respectful, godly manner. After all, she grew up musically and spiritually in her father's Baptist church -- and while superstar singers will perform during the service, Ellis says it's not going to be a concert.

He gave us a preview of his sermon, and the pressure that comes with overseeing an icon's funeral.

As we first reported, Jennifer Hudson will sing "Amazing Grace" as part of Friday's star-studded service at Greater Grace Temple in Detroit.

It starts at 10 AM ET, and we'll be streaming it live on TMZ.

Lil Pump was pulled over by cops in Miami because he was a young, hispanic man driving an expensive car -- in other words, he was profiled ... so says the rapper's attorney.

LP's lawyer, Brian Bieber (no relation to Justin), tells TMZ that his client's arrest Wednesday appears to be yet another classic case of profiling -- as Pump was doing nothing wrong on the road ... other than allegedly driving without a driver's license, of course.

Bieber says cops initially told his client they pulled him over for an illegal turn but later changed their story and said they pulled him over because he had expired tags.

Bieber says cops simply saw a young, successful hip-hop artist driving a very expensive Rolls-Royce in broad daylight ... and decided to initiate a traffic stop in search of something wrong -- even though he says Pump hadn't done a thing to warrant such action.

We broke the story ... Lil Pump was cuffed and hauled off to jail after Miami PD says it discovered the license plate on his Rolls-Royce actually belonged to a Mini Cooper. When they asked for a license, cops say Pump told them he'd never obtained one.

John McCain is finally getting his due respect from President Trump -- his body is being flown to Washington D.C. on an aircraft that had to be approved by POTUS.

The late Arizona senator's casket was loaded onto one of the jets known as Air Force 2 -- which is often designated for the VP or First Lady's travel. As you know, 45 will not be attending McCain's service in D.C. ... reportedly because McCain wanted it that way.

Still, Trump announced earlier this week he had greenlit military transport for McCain, saying, "At the request of the McCain family, I have also authorized military transportation of Senator McCain’s remains from Arizona to Washington, D.C., military pallbearers and band support, and a horse and caisson transport during the service at the United States Naval Academy."

Prior to the statement, Trump was being incredibly stubborn on publicly speaking about McCain's passing ... refusing to answer questions about the Senator, and even briefly returning the White House flag to full-staff. It was eventually lowered back to half-staff.

There was no love lost between Trump and McCain. Then-candidate Trump mocked McCain's military service, saying he was not a war hero because he'd been captured in Vietnam.

A memorial service was held for McCain Thursday in Arizona, where a lot of people spoke in remembrance of the political maverick ... including a teary-eyed Joe Biden. McCain will lie in state at the Capitol Rotunda Friday before another memorial service Saturday.

It's a hugely significant ruling ... an arbitrator just threw out the NFL's motion to dismiss Colin Kaepernick's collusion lawsuit, and that now paves the way for a full-blown trial in which NFL owners will have to testify under oath.

The NFL had filed legal docs alleging Kaepernick's legal argument -- that NFL owners conspired to keep him out of the league -- was baseless and without evidence. The arbitrator disagreed, concluding there was sufficient evidence present in the former QB's legal docs to allow his case to go forward.

Part of the evidence the arbitrator considered -- several NFL owners have been deposed in the case including Dallas Cowboys honcho Jerry Jones, Texans owner Bob McNair and Ravens Steve Bisciotti.

Now Kaepernick's lawyers, Mark Geragos and Ben Meiselas, will have an opportunity for a trial and put the owners under oath. The end game -- proving they talked, conspired and colluded to keep Colin off the field. If that is proven, the entire NFL Collective Bargaining Agreement could be in jeopardy.

Dr. Phil's not buying what Piers Morgan is selling when it comes to his hot take on Cosmo UK putting plus-size model Tess Holliday on its cover.

The Doc was on "TMZ Live" and praised Tess Holliday for not only challenging society's mold of body image, but also for getting recognized by Cosmo for doing so.

As we reported ... Piers blasted Cosmo for making 33-year-old Tess a cover model. He called the choice a "load of old baloney" given Britain's "ever-worsening obesity crisis."

Dr. Phil says Piers, who is a friend of his, is essentially body shaming when he says it's wrong to recognize Tess in magazines.

She's firing back at Piers too, saying ... "To everyone saying I'm a burden to the British health care system, I'm American so you don't have to worry about my fat ass. Worry about what horrible people you are by whining about how me being on the cover of a glossy magazine impacts your small minded life."

Mic drop.

For the first time in his life, Tekashi69 came face-to-face with his family members in Mexico ... and greeted them with warm hugs and cold hard cash.

Tekashi's down in Mexico before he jets off to Europe for the remainder of his tour. The rapper made a quick stop to visit his aunt and uncle, who he says he's only spoken with over the phone. Tekashi's mother left Mexico before he was born and ended up in NYC.

Tekashi and his relatives are clearly emotional ... embracing and exchanging some friendly words. His aunt also gives 6ix9ine a tour of her home. Her famous nephew didn't leave her empty-handed.

He counted out what appears to be several thousand dollars, and handed it to her. Not a bad parting gift.

If there's one blonde bombshell you fantasize about getting in the ring with, may we present to you Barbie Blank.

The former WWE superstar is a total knockout!

Barbie -- who used to wrestle under the name Kelly Kelly -- left the dollhouse for a beach day in Venice ... and you've GOT to check out her sexy shots in a white-hot bikini. It burns so good!

Barbie plays in the sand, splashes in the water and shows off her assets.

And ... this Barbie is REAL!!!

After leaving WWE, Barbie became one of the main cast members on "WAGS" -- since she married ex-NHL star Sheldon Souray. The two separated last October.

Gwyneth Paltrow isn't some stuck up Hollywood elitist, she's just like the rest of us ... 'cause she'd rather think about sex than listen to her friends' boring stories!!!

She's also hip to memes!!!

Gwyneth became an IG meme Wednesday, and her surprising response showed her funny -- and humble -- side. Seriously, who saw that coming???

The man behind the meme, Tucker Bellingrath aka @gaybestfriend, tells us he was SPEECHLESS when Gwyneth responded to his post, and he's glad she doesn't take herself too seriously.

It makes sense why Gwyneth's willingness to play along caught Tucker and everyone else by surprise. This is an Oscar-winning actress, for goodness sake!!!

2:20 PM PT -- Heather has been officially charged.

Heather Locklear will be slapped with 3 new charges stemming from her arrest when she allegedly attacked a cop and an EMT.

TMZ broke the story ... Locklear was arrested back in June after EMTs and cops responded to her home on a disturbance call. They arrived to a heavily intoxicated Locklear who allegedly punched a cop and EMT while they tried to load her onto a gurney. She was never charged in this incident ... but that changes today.

Heather will be charged with 1 misdemeanor count of interfering with a law enforcement officer and 2 counts of misdemeanor battery for allegedly attacking the first responders.

You'll recall ... Heather was also arrested in February for felony domestic violence as well as battery on a cop ... this after getting into a fight with her boyfriend at her home. She was charged with 5 criminal offenses in that case, and Thursday afternoon, the 3 new counts for the June incident will be added to the complaint.

After an incident in June where she allegedly choked her dad and hit her mom, and the arrest in June, Heather was committed to a hospital on a 5150 psychiatric hold. After her release she went to rehab.

The EMT she kicked? Well, he lawyered up ... claiming he suffered a serious injury during the ordeal.

Originally Published -- 8/30/2018 12:08 PM PDT

Toccara Jones can't believe Piers Morgan so blatantly body shamed a plus-size model and tried to mask it as a health concern ... saying someone can be big AND healthy.

The ex-"America's Next Top Model" contestant says she's been shamed herself for not having an "ideal" figure, and believes only Tess Holliday knows what's best for her in terms of overall health. Translation: Piers has NO biz wading into a very personal topic for Tess.

And, even if Tess would be considered "unhealthy" by society's standards, Toccara says she's approaching her well-being from a positive place ... which is what really matters.

Joe Biden got choked up remembering his friend and "brother" John McCain as friends, family and admirers gathered to celebrate his life at a memorial service Thursday.

Biden took the floor at North Phoenix Baptist Church and spoke of McCain's honesty, determination and dedication. He even referred to McCain as his brother ... mentioning a lot of "family fights." Biden also served as a pallbearer for the service.

The late senator's family and friends -- along with local and tribal officials as well as civic leaders from across the state -- attended ... and 1,000 seats were made available to the public.

After the motorcade arrived, the Arizona National Guard retrieved the casket and placed it in front of the church.

Later Thursday, McCain's casket will be transported to D.C. where family, friends, colleagues and staff will pour into the U.S. Capitol Rotunda for a private ceremony honoring McCain's life. When the formal ceremony ends, the public will have a chance to also pay their respects. Doors to the public open at 2 PM ET and are slated to stay open until 8 PM ET.

McCain's National Memorial Service will be held Saturday at 10 AM ET at the Washington National Cathedral. Former presidents Barack Obama and George W. Bush -- both former political rivals of McCain -- are set to deliver eulogies at his request.

Actor Warren Beatty, former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg and former Secretary of Defense William Cohen were also pallbearers.

President Trump will not attend McCain's funeral after being made persona non grata, and McCain's former running mate in 2008, Sarah Palin, has also reportedly not been invited.

Since his death, heartfelt tributes from celebrities and fellow politicians have poured in for McCain ... including from Sen. Lindsey Graham, who told us he vows to do better to honor his friend.

There's also been a push to rename the Russell Senate Office Building the McCain Senate Office Building, spearheaded by Sen. Chuck Schumer.

On Wednesday morning, the Arizona Army National Guard carried McCain's casket into the AZ State Capitol Museum rotunda for a private ceremony for family and colleagues ... including remarks by Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey.

McCain's wife, Cindy, and daughter, Meghan, were both very emotional at the sight of his casket.

The late Senator was the third person to lie in the rotunda in the last 40 years ... Arizona state Senator Marilyn Jarrett and Olympic gold medalist Jesse Owens were the others.