DONKEY: Cabarrus Commissioner Faces Backlash After Saying Juneteenth Is ‘Based On A Lie’

Summary

Donkey of the Day: Cabarrus Commissioner Faces Backlash After Saying Juneteenth Is ‘Based On A Lie’

Podcast: Donkey of the Day (The Breakfast Club, Power 105.1 FM)
Host: Charlamagne Tha God
Date: June 18, 2026

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Episode Overview

In this episode, Charlamagne Tha God delivers his signature “Donkey of the Day” segment, targeting Larry Pittman, a county commissioner in Cabarrus County, North Carolina. The segment centers on Pittman's controversial remarks during a debate over a Juneteenth resolution, specifically his assertion that the holiday is “based on a lie.” Charlamagne uses the moment to critique historical ignorance, call out coded racism, and explain the symbolic significance of Juneteenth for Black Americans.

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Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Why Larry Pittman Gets “Donkey of the Day”

• Pittman’s Stance: Pittman cast the lone vote against a Juneteenth recognition and argued that the holiday should not be celebrated on June 19th because, in his view, it is historically inaccurate.
• Quote:
  “I don't support it because it is based on a lie. People were not set free by the Emancipation Proclamation.” (Pittman, relayed by Charlamagne, 04:07)
• Argument: Pittman states Juneteenth is built on a falsehood because slavery wasn’t legally ended everywhere on June 19, 1865, and suggests celebrating the December ratification of the 13th Amendment instead.

2. The Importance and Symbolism of Juneteenth

• Charlamagne’s Context:
  • Recognizes Juneteenth as a milestone for the delayed freedom of enslaved people in Texas.
  • Uses analogies to explain symbolism over technical accuracy.
• Quote:
  “Juneteenth commemorates a significant milestone in the struggle for freedom, not a claim that slavery ended universally on that exact date. ... It’s like ringing the bell in the cancer center ... it’s a milestone.” (Charlamagne, 06:50)
• Point: Holidays are about what they signify, not historical “perfection,” echoed by comparing Independence Day’s symbolic, rather than literal, meaning.

3. On Historical Accuracy vs. Meaningful Commemoration

• Broader Perspective:
  “If we canceled every holiday because it wasn’t 100% historically precise, we’d have to cancel Columbus Day, okay? Thanksgiving, Christmas ... That’s not Jesus’ birthday, all right?” (Charlamagne, 08:52)
• Critique of Pittman’s Logic: Charlamagne suggests Pittman’s nitpicking about dates is cover for deeper prejudice, not real concern for truth.

4. Addressing Underlying Prejudice and Racism

• Notable Exchange: Pittman ends his comments in the meeting with “You said enough, boy.” (09:48)
• Charlamagne’s Response:
  • Immediately calls out the racial undertones: “God damn. That’s the kind of ‘boy’ that made Michael Evans have to tell y'all that ‘boy’ is a white racist word, okay? I know racism when I hear it.” (Charlamagne, 09:51)
  • Doubles down on Pittman’s transparent bigotry wrapped in a pseudo-historical argument.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Charlamagne's Sarcasm and Analogy:
  “Oh, how convenient Fourth of July is in summer. How convenient Thanksgiving and Christmas is towards the end of the year. How convenient Juneteenth is on a Friday. Like, cut it out.” (Charlamagne, 08:52)
• On the Necessity of History Education:
  “This, my friends, this is why reading and history classes matter, okay?” (Charlamagne, 07:47)
• Calling out Bigotry:
  “Larry Pittman doesn’t like what these dates represent. How dare these niggas be free. ... I know he doesn’t want to recognize—he’s just using this dumbass reasoning about dates to justify his prejudice, to justify his bigotry.” (Charlamagne, 08:30)
• Satirical Sound Effects:
  • Plays the Hamiltones’ “Donkey of the Day” jingle after calling out Pittman. (09:51)
  • Humorously involves celebrities (Chelsea Handler, Kathy Griffith, Chris Rock) in mock “reactions,” keeping the tone irreverent and sharp. (10:27 onward)

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Timestamps of Important Segments

• 02:16 – Start of “Donkey of the Day” segment.
• 03:39 – News clip introduces the controversy in Cabarrus County.
• 04:07 – 04:48 – Pittman’s main comments and rationale against Juneteenth.
• 05:43 – Full audio of Pittman’s comments played.
• 06:43 – Charlamagne begins direct analysis and rebuttal.
• 09:48 – Pittman’s “boy” comment and Charlamagne’s immediate reaction.
• 10:27 – Mock reactions and “Hee haw” sounds, segment close.

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Tone and Style

Charlamagne maintains his classic mix of humor, sarcasm, and pointed critique throughout the segment. He uses analogies relatable to everyday listeners, draws on historical context, and doesn’t hesitate to label bigotry for what it is. Irreverence and pop culture references keep the conversation lively while delivering a serious message.

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Summary Takeaway

Charlamagne awards Larry Pittman “Donkey of the Day” for using misleading historical arguments to justify not celebrating Juneteenth, exposing how such posturing often masks prejudice. The episode highlights why symbolic milestones matter to communities and the real agenda behind attempts to delegitimize them in public discourse.

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For listeners: This summary captures the segment’s message, humor, and the realities of why Juneteenth matters—especially in the face of public officials who weaponize “history” to diminish Black liberation.

Transcript

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[Charlamagne Tha God]

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[Charlamagne Tha God]

It's time for Donkey of the Day. There's a bunch of donkeys out here in these streets. How to make Donkey of the Day Called Donkey of the Day. It really caught me off guard. We live a life where we bite our tongue based off who we may offend. We never would say anything. Charlemagne.

[Larry Pittman]

Give it to him.

[Charlemagne Tha God (as himself in debate)]

Give it to him.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

You are a donkey. That is why Charlemagne is here. Some donkey. Today's just on the Breakfast Club. Okay, Charlemagne, who you giving donkey of the day to today? Well, donkey Today for Thursday, June 18, goes the county commissioner. Goes to a county commissioner in North Carolina named Larry Pittman. Okay. Larry Pittman is a cabaret county commissioner, and he is receiving donkey of the day this morning because of some comments he made during a debate over a Juneteenth resolution. Larry Pittman cast a lone vote against a resolution recognizing Juneteenth, arguing that the holiday is based on a lie and it should not be celebrated on June 19th. Okay. Let the record show that just last hour, I told the room, I believe I want to work tomorrow. Okay. Juneteenth is a federal holiday here at iHeartradio. So we have the day off, but I feel like I want to work. Ironic, right? Yeah. A black person who wants to work on a day that commemorates when black people were finally informed that we free. Okay. But the reason I want to work is because of guys like Larry Pittman. See, Larry is arguing that Juneteenth is based on a lie. So let's go to WCNC News for the report, please.

[Reese Witherspoon]

A disagreement over Juneteenth inside the Cabarrus County Government center is now drawing criticism from local civil rights leaders. Yeah.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

One county commissioner voted against a resolution recognizing the holiday and said Juneteenth is based on a lie.

[Reese Witherspoon]

WCNC Charlotte's Alexandra Rios Mellow Villa spoke with the local NAACP leaders, who say the comments missed the meaning of the day.

[Larry Pittman]

Just days before Juneteenth celebrations, a debate over the holiday is taking center stage in Cabarrus County.

[Charlemagne Tha God (as himself in debate)]

I don't support it because it is based on a lie. People were not set free by the Emancipation Proclamation.

[Larry Pittman]

During Monday's county commissioners meeting, Commissioner Larry Pittman cast the lone vote against a resolution recognizing Juneteenth. For many Black Americans, Juneteenth, June 19, 1865, when Union troops arrived in Galveston, Texas, and informed enslaved people they were free. More than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation, Pittman argues the holiday should not be celebrated in June, but in December instead.

[Charlemagne Tha God (as himself in debate)]

Eight months after the war was over and Lincoln was dead.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

See, this is my argument for working tomorrow, okay? Didn't I tell y' all earlier? People don't really understand or know what Juneteenth is. See, it's easy to take off. 4th of July, memorial Day, Veterans Day Day, President's Day. Folks understand the historical context of those days. People do not quite grasp the Historical context or understand the historical context of Juneteenth yet. And if we, as one of the premier black radio shows in the world. May I say, the premier black radio show in the world. One of the premier radio shows in the world, period, the Breakfast Club, have the blessing of being on air. We should be here tomorrow to celebrate Juneteenth and let folks know exactly what Juneteenth is. See, Larry Pittman is misinformed. He says Juneteenth was based on a lie because. Because slavery had not ended nationwide on June 19, 1865. And he suggests recognition should focus on the ratification of the 13th Amendment instead. Let's listen to his comments in full. They were interesting.

[Charlemagne Tha God (as himself in debate)]

I want to address this thing about Juneteenth. I don't support it because it is based on a lie. True history is important, not what an elitist point of view forces to be taught in schools and ignores the real truth of what happened. And my son. Hey, it is not your turn, sir. My son graduated from Wingate University with a degree in history. And I've talked to him about some of these things, and from his studies, he confirms to me exactly what I've learned by going beyond textbooks and looking at other sources. A lot of these things I learned by doing that when I was a kid, and it makes me sick. What passes for history, that is falsehood, and I will not just sit by and take it. I guess I've said enough. You said enough, boy.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Wow. What do you mean, boy?

[Charlemagne Tha God (as himself in debate)]

I mean, you act immature, Commissioner Wartman.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

All right, so listen, Larry Pittman's criticism rests on the argument that Juneteenth is not the precise date slavery legally ended everywhere. Larry, Larry, Larry. Okay, big laugh. All right? That criticism misses the whole point. Juneteenth commemorates a significant milestone in the struggle for freedom, not a claim that slavery ended universally on that exact date. Okay? June 19, 1865, was a milestone. All right? It's like ringing the bell in the cancer center. When you ring a bell in the cancer center, it traditionally signifies the end of a phase of active treatment, all right? Like. Such as completing chemotherapy or radiation, rather than a guarantee that the cancer is completely gone forever. But ringing the bell is a milestone, and you should let people celebrate their milestones, okay? Hey, Larry, here's some irony. Okay, here's some irony that many historians point out. Americans celebrate the fourth of July as Independence Day, even though independence was not fully secured on July 4, 1776, and many people remained enslaved afterward. Okay? Holidays often commemorate symbolic milestones rather than the final Completion of historical processes. And that's okay. And this, my friends, this is why reading and history classes matter, okay? Larry Pittman voted against the record a resolution recognizing Juneteenth because he says the holiday is based on a lie, since slavery didn't end everywhere on June 19, 1865. But, sir, nobody said it did. The point of Juneteenth isn't that slavery everywhere magically vanished on June 19. The point is that enslaved people in Texas finally learned they were free, okay? It commemorates delayed justice. It celebrates liberation. It's symbolism of what was to come. Also, Larry, I just want you to know, if we canceled every holiday because it wasn't 100% historically precise, we'd have to cancel Columbus Day, okay? Thanksgiving, Christmas. That's not Jesus birthday, all right? It's not Jesus birthday, okay? We just schedule a lot of these holidays around times we want to be off from work, okay? Oh, how convenient Fourth of July is in summer. How convenient Thanksgiving and Christmas is towards the end of the year. How convenient Juneteenth is on a Friday. Like, cut it out. Okay, Larry, let's not get so caught up in proving you're technically right that you missed the reason of why people celebrate things in the first place. Sometimes history isn't, you know, just about dates. It's what those dates represent, and that's the reality of the situation. Larry Pittman doesn't like what these dates represent. How dare these niggas be free. Okay? Larry doesn't want the Juneteenth holiday period. He hates what it represents. I know. I know he does, okay? I know he does. I know he does. I know he does. I know he doesn't want to recognize he's just using this dumbass reasoning about dates to justify his prejudice, to justify his bigotry. You know how. How I know he's a bigot? Listen to this part again.

[Charlemagne Tha God (as himself in debate)]

You said enough, boy.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

God damn. That's the kind of boy that made Michael Evans have to tell y' all that boy is a white racist word, okay? I know racism when I hear it. Please give Larry Pittman the sweet sounds of the Hamiltones. Oh, now you are the donkey of the day. The doy of the day. Oh, Chelsea Handler said she want to say something, man. Hee haw. He haw. That is way too much, Dan.

[Angela Yee]

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[Charlamagne Tha God]

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[Charlamagne Tha God]

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[Charlamagne Tha God]

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[Kalpen Modi]

Damn.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

What's going on? People want some something with their chili, man. They just want. That's just what they eat with their chili, y'.

[Jess (Relationship Advice Host)]

All Right?

[Charlamagne Tha God]

That's all. That's all it is.

[Jess (Relationship Advice Host)]

Thank you for that.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Donkey of the day.

[Jess (Relationship Advice Host)]

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[Charlamagne Tha God]

So it's somebody out there got a pee so bad right now.

[Jess (Relationship Advice Host)]

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[Charlamagne Tha God]

And y' all down there drinking that Dunkin Donuts coffee and all types of other coffee. So I know you got a poop probably too. And liquor because I'm gonna be that coffee.

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[Charlamagne Tha God]

It's going to be a rough one this morning.

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It's going to be rough.

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[Charlemagne Tha God (as himself in debate)]

I swear.

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[Angela Yee]

No.

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[Charlemagne Tha God (as himself in debate)]

But I don't believe.

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I'm sure they do it here too. It's the same thing when people are there since 12 yesterday.

[Charlemagne Tha God (as himself in debate)]

Yes. Yeah.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

You know, New Yorkers are a bit extreme, so. Yeah, I. I believe it.

[Jess (Relationship Advice Host)]

Anyway, just fix my messes. Next, it's the Breakfast Club.

[Charlemagne Tha God (as himself in debate)]

Good morning.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

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[Charlemagne Tha God (as himself in debate)]

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[DJ Envy]

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[Angela Yee]

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[Charlamagne Tha God]

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