DONKEY: Charlamagne Gives Trump Donkey Of The Day After $1.8B Taxpayer Fund Is Set For 'Anti-Weaponization'

Summary

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Donkey of the Day — Charlamagne Gives Trump Donkey Of The Day After $1.8B Taxpayer Fund Is Set For 'Anti-Weaponization'

Podcast: Donkey of the Day, Power 105.1 FM (WWPR-FM)
Host: Charlamagne tha God (Lenard McKelvey)
Date: May 19, 2026

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Episode Overview

On this installment of “Donkey of the Day,” Charlamagne tha God criticizes former President Donald J. Trump for establishing a $1.8 billion taxpayer-funded “anti-weaponization” fund. This fund is reportedly designed to compensate Trump’s allies who claim they were wrongfully targeted by the Biden administration. Charlamagne expresses outrage over using public money for what he frames as a political payback scheme while ordinary Americans struggle to cover essential needs.

Tone: Passionate, righteous indignation, and pointed criticism.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Introduction & Context ([02:33]–[03:10])

• Award Announcement:
  Charlamagne declares Donald Trump the recipient of the Donkey of the Day, underscoring his commitment to holding all elected officials accountable regardless of party.

• Right to Criticize:
  “I am an American citizen, and I reserve the right to criticize every elected official in this country, okay? Democrat or Republican...” (Charlamagne, [02:36])

2. Details of the ‘Anti-Weaponization’ Fund ([03:10]–[04:14])

• News Recap:
  Plays an ABC8 News report describing the fund — over $1.7 billion in taxpayer money, set to compensate Trump allies who feel they were unfairly targeted.

• Key Facts:

  • President Trump won’t directly receive money, but his allies—including some charged in the Capitol riot—could.
  • Congressional pushback exists, with bipartisan concern over legality and constitutionality.
  • Oversight via a five-person commission appointed by the Attorney General.

3. Charlamagne’s Critique of the Fund ([04:14]–[08:21])

• Taxpayer Money for Political Allies:
  “The President is able to pay his supporters from a government agency he controls with taxpayer money…using taxpayer dollars to create a $1.7 billion fund for your political allies. Do you understand how insane that sounds?” ([04:14]–[05:06])

• Lists Competing Needs Neglected:

  • Student loan forgiveness debates
  • Cuts to Medicaid and public services
  • Veterans without healthcare
  • Teachers fundraising for basic school supplies

• Calls it a Scam:
  “America loves a good scam... This country was built on pyramid schemes, alright?” (Charlamagne, [05:11])

• Political Inequity & Payouts:
  "President Trump is just paying his goons, okay? This is incentive for his goons to do his bidding again if he needs them to. Okay? You get a pardon and cash in your pocket. What they going to storm next, voting booths in the midterms, perhaps?" ([05:29])

• Bipartisan Outrage:
  He stresses that this should anger all Americans, regardless of party or race.

4. Trump’s Financial Priorities & Indifference ([07:28]–[08:21])

• Plays Trump’s Own Words:
  Trump says, “I don’t think about America’s financial situation. I don’t think about anybody. I think about one thing. You cannot let Iran have a nuclear weapon. That’s all.” (Trump, [07:42])

• Charlamagne Responds:
  “Two things can be true. Iran doesn’t need to have a nuclear weapon. But you as the President of the United States of America have to care about America’s financial situation. That’s the whole point of being a president. I would think that a president can multitask, okay?” ([08:21])

5. Symbolic Stories & Escalating Public Distrust ([09:54]–[10:52])

• Charlamagne uses Pop Culture References:
  “This is how Batman becomes Batman...This is how Daredevil becomes Daredevil. This is the vigilante origin story.” ([09:37])

• Tupac Quote on Desperation and Social Unrest:
  Audio of Tupac: “If I know that in this hotel room they have food every day, and I’m knocking on the door every day to eat... After a year, then you just like...I’m picking the lock. Coming through the door blasting. You know what I’m saying?” ([09:54]–[10:52])

6. Final Rant and Call to Action ([10:52]–[11:29])

• Warning of Blowback:
  “If you’re the President of the United States and you openly sound unconcerned about people’s financial pain while using taxpayer dollars for political priorities, don’t be shocked when Americans start wondering who government is really working for and then proceed to tear this government apart.” ([10:52])

• Direct Appeal:
  “There’s no way this situation don’t outrage you. It’s just impossible.” ([11:22])

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Political Accountability:
  “I reserve the right to criticize every elected official in this country...” (Charlamagne, [02:36])

• On the Fund’s Corruption:
  “You are using billions of dollars in taxpayer money, money that should be used to fund essential services at the federal, state, and local levels for a political reimbursement program. Let’s be clear. President Trump is just paying his goons, okay?” ([05:10]–[05:29])

• On Government Cynicism:
  “This is why people get cynical about politics, because the rules always seem different depending on who you are and who you’re aligned with.” ([06:22])

• On Trump’s Financial Indifference:
  “I don’t think about America’s financial situation. I don’t think about anybody. I think about one thing. You cannot let Iran have a nuclear weapon.” (Donald Trump, [07:42])

  “Actions will always speak louder than words. Actions will always tell you what politicians value more than rhetoric does.” (Charlamagne, [08:21])

• Tupac on Desperation:
  “We hungry. We need some food. After two, three weeks, it’s like, you know, give me all the food...after a year...I’m picking the lock. Coming through the door blasting.” ([09:54])

• On Public Outrage:
  “There’s no way this situation don’t outrage you. It’s just impossible.” (Charlamagne, [11:22])

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Important Timestamps

• 02:33: Charlamagne names Trump Donkey of the Day and explains why he’s calling out corruption.
• 03:10–04:14: ABC8 News summary of the anti-weaponization fund.
• 05:10: Charlamagne’s central argument about taxpayer money being misused.
• 07:42: Trump’s quote about not thinking about Americans’ financial situation.
• 09:54: Tupac’s metaphor on social frustration and eventual eruption.
• 10:52–11:22: Charlamagne’s final word and call for public outrage.

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Summary in a Nutshell

Charlamagne uses his Donkey of the Day segment to skewer Donald Trump’s taxpayer-funded “anti-weaponization” fund, condemning it as a corrupt, cynical payout to political allies at the expense of everyday Americans’ urgent needs. Citing Trump’s own dismissive comments about citizen hardship and using cultural references, he appeals across political lines for collective outrage and accountability, warning of the dangerous consequences such government actions may trigger.

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For listeners: This episode is a fiery, critical takedown of government abuse, serving as a rallying cry for political awareness and action.

Transcript

[A]

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[B]

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[A]

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[F]

And I'm Nick. And guess what? We created our own podcast called hey, Jonas.

[A]

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[F]

Well, we didn't invent it.

[A]

We.

[F]

We just contributed to it.

[E]

First people to do podcasts.

[A]

We get to ask other people questions because we're sick and tired of being asked questions.

[F]

Well, sick and tired is a strong way to put it, but, you know, tired and sick. Tired and sick.

[B]

Listen to hey Jonas on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Just listen.

[A]

We don't care where you hear it.

[G]

Donald J. Trump is calling for a total and complete shutdown of Muslims entering the United States. Wouldn't you love to see one of these NFL owners when somebody disrespects our flag to say, get that son of a bitch off the field right now.

[H]

Out.

[G]

He's fired. He's fired.

[A]

Trump, please step up to the congregation. Yes, you are. Are adult.

[G]

Trump. When Mexico sends its people, they're not sending their best. They're bringing drugs. They're bringing crime. They're rapists.

[C]

He's a jackass.

[G]

Yes.

[A]

Donkey Today for Tuesday, May 19th goes to President Donald J. Trump. Listen, my name is Leonard McKelvey, commonly known as Charlemagne the God. I am an American citizen, and I reserve the right to criticize every elected official in this country, okay? Democrat or Republican, because we have the right to. And when you see blatant corruption happening in this country at our expense, you. You gotta ring the alarm about it, okay? See, I don't know if you heard, but the Justice Department on yesterday announced the creation of a nearly $1.8 billion fund to compensate President Donald Trump's allies who claim they were unfairly targeted by the Biden administration. Let's go to ABC8 News for the report, please.

[I]

New this afternoon, the Justice Department just announced the creation of a new anti weaponization fund. It's paid for by taxpayers and worth well over 1.7 billion. The fund will compensate Americans who claim they were wrongfully targeted by the Biden administration. President Trump accused the IRS of leaking his 2019 tax returns, but agreed to drop a $10 billion lawsuit in exchange for an apology. And creating this fund. Some Republicans and Democrats are expressing concern. It's an utterly lawless plan that is being forwarded. And if our Republican colleagues have any respect for, for the Constitution and the powers of Congress, they will move to block it. That's action that Congress needs to take. I don't think you can do that. You can't just take a billion or $10 billion unilaterally with the executive branch. The Attorney General will appoint a five person commission to run the fund. According to ABC News, while President Trump won't receive any money, several rioters charged with storming the Capitol could qualify for payments.

[A]

Basically, the President is able to pay his supporters from a government agency he controls with taxpayer money. If you are a Trump supporter who feels like you are politically targeted by the justice system, you can submit a claim. It doesn't matter. If it was from the Russia collusion investigation to the nearly 1600 people who committed an insurrection in this country, you might be entitled to compensation. And the compensation is coming from we the taxpayers. Does this apply to the 33 people who participated in the Capitol riots, who were pardoned or had their sentences commuted, got rearrested, got charged, got convicted for new crimes? Are they eligible to get some of our money? Okay, it's bad enough they got pardoned for trying to overthrow the results of an election, but now we got to pay them even though they got pardoned and some of them Committed new crimes. America, I don't care what your race is. I don't care what your party is. There is no way on God's green earth that we can be okay with this. I know America loves a good scam, okay? This country was built on pyramid schemes, all right? We live in an era where folks will get on a podcast and convince you to. To refinance your house to buy crypto, but using taxpayer dollars to create a $1.7 billion fund for your political allies. Do you understand how insane that sounds? Okay, Americans out here arguing over student loan forgiveness and Medicaid cuts, affordable housing and whether teachers deserve raises. But we gotta sit back and watch Trump and his friends rob us of money that should be used for us, okay? Taxpayer dollars should be used for Social Security and Medicare and Medicaid and national defense and keeping your local community running, okay? That's what taxpayer dollars is supposed to be for. People out here getting denied food assistance. Veterans who fought for this country are fighting for health care. Public school teachers are doing GoFundMes for pencils and other basic supplies. You got libraries closing because it cuts the federal budgets. But you are using billions of dollars in taxpayer money, money that should be used to fund essential services at the federal, state, and local levels for a political reimbursement program. Let's be clear. President Trump is just paying his goons, okay? This is incentive for his goons to do his bidding again if he needs them to. Okay? You get a pardon and cash in your pocket. What they going to storm next, voting booths in the midterms, perhaps? The. This is why people hate government, okay? You're taking money from people struggling to pay rent, buy groceries, and survive inflation, which is surged under the Trump administration, by the way, okay? It's at its highest level in three years. You are taking taxpayer dollars and redirecting it to people who are connected to political power. This is why people get cynical about politics, because the rules always seem different depending on who you are and who you're aligned with. And when you have a president like Donald J. Trump who doesn't even pretend to. To care, okay? That's what we have in the White House right now, a president like Donald J. Trump who doesn't even pretend to care. Do you remember last week when President Trump said, and I quote, I don't think. I don't think about Americans financial situations. I don't think about anybody. I think about one thing. We cannot let Iran have a nuclear weapon. That's what he said in regards to the Iran War. He told you he doesn't care about your financial situation. Well, he was on Fox News with Brett Baer and he doubled down. Let's listen.

[G]

You can imagine Democrats and political pundits, the people get it. The people jumped all over this that you made the other day. You were asked on the, when you

[D]

were leaving, to what extent are American

[A]

financial situations motivating you to make a deal?

[G]

Not even a little bit. The only thing that matters when I'm talking about Iran, they can't have a nuclear weapon. I don't think about American financial situation. I don't think about anybody. I think about one thing. You cannot let Iran have a nuclear weapon. That's all. That's right. That's a perfect segment. So make it again. You can imagine how many people. Stop the sound bite at I don't think about America financial situation. So what's your response to that framework? Very simple. When people hear me say it, everybody agrees. Short term pain. It's going to be short term pain, but the pain is much less than people thought.

[A]

Two things can be true. Iran doesn't need to have a nuclear weapon. But you as the President of the United States of America have to care about America's financial situation. That's the whole point of being a president. I would think that a president can multitask, okay? Especially a president that told you he was going to fix the economy on day one. He told you that he won the election based off one word groceries, but he never cared if you actually could afford any. Okay? Actions will always speak louder than words. Actions will always tell you what politicians value more than rhetoric does. And everyone's sitting around waiting for this golden age to happen. It's not. Okay. Not for you anyway. For him and his family, his allies. Oh, they getting fat while you starve, okay? And that's why our taxpayer dollars going to this weaponization fund to compensate his allies should piss you off, okay? You should be outraged. You should actually be in the street protesting against this. Okay? Not only is it corrupt, it is a blatant slap in the face to the economic hardships you folks are facing, okay? Trump told you he don't care what you're going through financially, all right? He's not even acting like he sees what you're going through, all right? He's not even. He's not even detached from people's economic struggles. He just doesn't care. He's pushing for financial windfalls for his allies, his family, not you. And we wonder why people get radicalized in this Country. This is how Batman becomes Batman, okay? This is how Daredevil becomes Daredevil. This is the vigilante origin story People play Tupac.

[H]

Please, you have to be logical. You know, if. If I know that in this hotel room they have food every day, and I'm knocking on the door every day to eat, and they tell. And they open the door, let me see the party. Let me see, like, them throwing salami all over the. I mean, just like throwing food around where they're telling me there's no food in here. You know what I'm saying? Every day I'm standing outside trying to sing my way in. You know what I'm saying? We are hungry. Please let us in. We are hungry. Please let us in. After about a week, that song is going to change the. We hungry. We need some food. After two, three weeks, it's like, you know, give me all the food ragging out the door. And after a year, then you just like. You know what I'm saying? I'm picking the lock. Coming through the door blasting. You know what I'm saying? It's like, you hungry? You reach your level, you don't want any more. We asked 10 years ago, we was asking with the Panthers, we was asking with them, you know, with civil rights movement, we was asking, you know, now those people that were asking, they're all dead and in jail. So now what do you think we're going to do?

[A]

It's just common sense, okay? If you're the President of the United States and you openly sound unconcerned about people's financial pain while using taxpayer dollars for political priorities, don't be shocked when Americans start wondering who government is really working for and then proceed to tear this government apart. Please give Donald J. Trump the biggest he. Huh? I don't care what race you are. I don't care what your party affiliation is. There's no way this situation don't piss you off.

[D]

Nope.

[A]

There's no way this situation don't outrage you. It's just. It's just impossible. Okay, and let's discuss. We. Open up. Please open up.

[B]

Let's open up the phone lines. 800-585-1051. How do you feel? Donald Trump launches a compensation fund, $1.7

[A]

billion fund for his political allies, pretty much. Meanwhile, people out here getting denied food assistance. You know, you drive by veterans on the street holding signs all the time. They can't. They can't get nothing. They don't have no housing, they don't have no health care.

[B]

Let's discuss 800.

[A]

I told you public school teachers are literally having GoFundMe for pencils supplies. What are we talking about?

[B]

Let's discuss 800-585-1051 is the Breakfast Club.

[A]

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[E]

Hey everyone, check out this guy and his bird. What is this, your first date?

[D]

O we help people customize and save on car insurance with Liberty Mutual Together we're married. Me to a human, him to a bird.

[E]

Yeah, the bird looks out of your league.

[D]

Anyways, get a [e-mail] or with your local agent.

[E]

Liberty. Liberty. Liberty. Liberty.

[F]

Hey guys, it's us, the Jonas Brothers. I'm Joe.

[A]

I'm Kevin.

[F]

And I'm Nick. And guess what? We created our own podcast called hey Jonas.

[A]

We invented a podcast.

[F]

Well, we didn't invent it, we just contributed to it.

[E]

We're the first people to do podcasts.

[A]

We get to ask other people questions. Cause we're sick and tired of being asked questions.

[F]

Well, sick and tired is a strong way to put it, but you know, tired and sick. Tired and sick.

[B]

Listen to hey Jonas on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. Just listen.

[A]

We don't care where you hear it.

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