Controversial S#!T

Matisyahu says Elon Musk most definitely did not make a Nazi salute at Donald Trump's inauguration ... he says it's just an example of Elon being a fish out of water.

The Jewish singer-songwriter, who voted for Trump this past election, tells TMZ ... Elon's controversial gesture certainly had all the elements of a Nazi salute, but the forceful arm movement was more about Elon not knowing how to act under the bright lights -- though he acknowledges how it looks out of context.

Matisyahu says musicians and performers are used to the attention and crowd energy that comes with such a big platform ... and Elon, being a "nerd," just didn't know how to channel the energy, because he's not used to being onstage.

Michael "Harry O" Harris is defending Snoop Dogg for performing for Donald Trump ahead of the inauguration ... he says the gig doesn't mean Snoop betrayed his community.

The Death Row Records co-founder joined us on "TMZ Live" Wednesday and we asked him about all the backlash Snoop is getting because of the Trump event.

Michael says Snoop wasn't making a political statement by performing at Trump's pre-inauguration ball ... telling us the Doggfather is supporting the office more than the person.

Of course, he also acknowledges the fact Trump pardoned Michael -- for a drug trafficking conviction -- helped soften Snoop on POTUS.

Congresswoman Lauren Boebert is extending an invite to the Jan. 6 rioters recently pardoned by Donald Trump ... and she's offering to give those who participated in the attempted coup a guided tour of the Capitol Building.

Rep. Boebert made her jaw-dropping declaration outside a jail in Washington D.C. Tuesday, where she said several of the pardoned individuals were still being held as "hostages" after 47's executive order on Inauguration Day.

Boebert clearly cosigned DT's decision to issue full pardons to nearly 1,500 people for their participation in the 2021 Capitol attack ... as she vowed to be "the first member of Congress to offer them a guided tour in the Capitol."

1/22 9:16 AM PT -- Sexyy Red's taking responsibility for her online actions ... apologizing to Bernice and admitting her repost may have been in bad taste. Red says she shared something she thought was innocent -- and, she wasn't trying to upset anyone.

Looks like King's daughter is taking a page out of her dad's book ... 'cause she accepted the apology, essentially squashing the beef.

Sexyy Red is beefin' with Martin Luther King Jr.'s daughter after posting an AI image of herself dancing with the late Civil Rights legend.

1/21/25, 9:00 AM PT -- Elon Musk has responded on his platform, X, to accusations he performed a Nazi salute, twice, in a speech after Donald Trump's inauguration yesterday.

He re-tweets a Libs of TikTok post featuring Democratic politicians with their arms up at similar angles ... Musk comments, "The legacy media is pure propaganda. You are the media now."

Elon Musk gave a speech to enthusiastic Donald Trump fans Monday, hours after the presidential inauguration ... and he made a gesture that harkened back to a dark time.

At Capital One Arena, the Tesla and SpaceX CEO strode to the podium, laughing maniacally, and thanked the cheering crowd ... and then slapped his right hand hard to his chest, and extended it out in front of him, palm down -- in what looks very suspiciously like a Nazi salute. He then repeated the same action to those seated behind him.

The provocative signal has many people online and on-air comparing the expression to the WWII-era "Sieg Heil" salute to Nazi Germany dictator Adolf Hitler. That salute reportedly derives from an Ancient Roman Empire salute, more commonly performed with the slapped chest. Both salutes are generally associated with fascist history in Europe.

Kid Rock is taking advantage of all the attention he's getting during President Donald Trump's resurgence to the highest office in the land ... even hitting on a TV interviewer, sight unseen.

KR -- real name Robert Ritchie -- performed at a pre-inauguration rally at Capital One Arena Sunday, and was interviewed Monday morning by BBC News reporter Caitríona Perry ... and he quickly flustered her with an awkward offer.

Appearing on camera in a black stocking cap and large black sunglasses, he apparently could only hear the reporter's questions.

Donald Trump is Commander in Chief again … and is already coming out swinging in his Inauguration Day speech.

Trump, who previously served as the 45th President of the United States, was sworn in at the U.S. Capitol Building Monday for his second term, where he was greeted with a standing ovation, "U.S.A." chants, and an air kiss from his wife, Melania Trump.

After the traditional ceremonial moments -- including guest speakers, prayers, oaths, and musical performances -- Trump took the podium and spoke to the nation about his plans for his 2nd administration … which he promised would bring about a "thrilling new era of national success."

Donald Trump showed off his best dances moves at his victory rally Sunday ... pulling out his viral "Trump Dance" while the Village People belted "Y.M.C.A."

The rally just wrapped up minutes ago and, after Trump gave a wide-ranging speech about topics like TikTok, immigration and much more, he brought out the hit disco band to perform their most well-known song.

As we told you, the Village People planned to perform with Trump onstage ... and, they did just that -- singing the hit song and performing a well-oiled dance routine while the once and future president stood in the middle of the stage clapping his hands.

Justin Baldoni's fans are sticking by him despite accusations made by Blake Lively ... stopping him to take a few pics after he left a grocery store in Hawaii.

The actor was leaving the store in Maui Saturday ... and, he nearly didn't make it to his car, 'cause a whole bunch of fans wanted photos with him -- and, Baldoni happily obliged.

Check out the video and pics ... a series of women run up to him -- taking selfies or having friends take the pics while slinging an arm around the producer and podcast host.

Snoop Dogg's bringing Doggystyle to D.C. performing at an event for Donald Trump's inauguration ... and, the crowd didn't seem super into it.

The rapper performed at the Crypto Ball in Washington D.C. last night ... the first of several events marking Trump's ascension to the highest office in the land.

Check it out ... Snoop took the stage in front of a crowded audience and performed some of his hit songs -- including "Drop It Like It's Hot."

Yvette Nicole Brown doesn't care how historic an event the presidential inauguration is ... 'cause she says no appearance is innocuous -- and, she sees performing at the event as cosigning the president-elect's statements and policies.

We caught up with the veteran TV actress on "TMZ Live" Friday ... and, Harvey and Charles asked her about stars who are choosing to sing at Donald Trump's inauguration Monday -- arguing that singing a song at the event doesn't equal an endorsement.

YNB says she completely disagrees ... pointing out Trump has said terrible things about women and people of color -- and, it's not something that's easily overlooked by the people who perform at his inaugural address.

1:40 PM PT -- Our original report included a reference to a line in the song mis-transcribed as "The Spanish goin' back" ... the actual lyric is "This granny's going bad."

Roseanne Barr is making a career pivot inspired by Donald Trump's upcoming return to the White House ... debuting a new rap alter-ego in a music video celebrating the president-elect.

Check it out ... the controversial comedian wears sunglasses, leopard print, and her hair braided in blonde cornrows as she raps alongside Canadian rapper Tom MacDonald in their pro-Trump anthem, "Daddy's Home."

The two performers not so subtly rub DT's successful reelection bid in haters' faces, opening up the song with ... "We won, you mad, It's done, too bad, Boo-hoo, so sad."

Lil' Kim isn’t backing down … doubling down on her wish for a monsoon to drench L.A. and put the wildfires out for good -- despite online backlash.

The rapper posted on X Thursday saying she didn’t get what all the fuss was about -- insisting a monsoon is just heavy rain, which in her mind, is exactly what L.A. needs.

Lil' Kim even backed up her take with a Google definition of a monsoon, highlighting the part about it causing a "seasonal shift in wind direction that can bring extreme wet or dry weather."

The Eagles fan who berated a female Packers supporter in Philly is officially out of a job ... with the hotheads' now-former employer calling out his behavior ... while also knocking people who have trashed their business online!

TMZ Sports spoke to BCT Partners co-founders Lawrence Hibbert and Dr. Randal Pinkett -- who appeared on Season 4 of The Apprentice -- who slammed ex-project manager Ryan Caldwell for his actions in a now-viral video where he called the Green Bay fan a "dumb ugly c***."

"I can't say enough about how abhorrent the behavior that we observed was and how upset I was in seeing someone who was at the time associated with our company displaying that kind of behavior," Pinkett said.

The Philadelphia Eagles fan who berated a Packers supporter during Sunday's playoff game is out of the job -- his employer just announced he has been fired as a result of the viral moment.

BCT Partners -- a consulting firm that specializes in DEI services and solutions -- announced the move Tuesday night ... saying project manager Ryan Caldwell's words during the altercation with the female Cheesehead were "highly offensive and misogynistic," which goes against the company's values.

The firm decided to cut ties after an internal personnel investigation ... and slammed Caldwell on his way out.