Donkey of the Day: A$AP Relli’s Mistruths Exposed During Felony Assault Trial

Podcast: Donkey of the Day (Power 105.1 FM, The Breakfast Club)
Host: Charlamagne Tha God
Date: February 19, 2025

Overview

In this episode, Charlamagne Tha God awards the infamous "Donkey of the Day" to Terrell Ephron, aka A$AP Relli, following the conclusion of the felony assault trial against A$AP Rocky. Charlamagne breaks down the trial's outcome, exposes Relli's dishonesty, and uses the ordeal as a lesson about betrayal, the dangers of fame, and the consequences of perjury and attempted extortion. The segment is laced with Charlamagne's trademark humor and blunt analysis.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Case Background and Acquittal

• [02:14] Charlamagne opens by naming Terrell Ephron (A$AP Relli) as "Donkey of the Day" for his actions during the highly publicized trial against A$AP Rocky.
  • Context: A$AP Rocky had been accused of firing a semiautomatic firearm at Relli in 2021, facing potential decades of jail time.
  • Rocky was acquitted of all charges, found not guilty, with the defense establishing that the weapon in question was a prop gun.

2. Scrutiny of Relli’s Motives and Actions

• [03:24–04:13] Charlamagne asserts Relli was motivated solely by money:
  • "ASAP Relly was just trying to get paid, alright? Nothing more, nothing less."
  • Notes the common danger of opportunists targeting celebrities for financial gain.
  • Offers personal advice:
  • "Isolation, right? Put your boundaries up. Stay within your circle. Everybody that's not within that circle is dangerous. And...sometimes people in your circle are dangerous. Most of the time, the most dangerous."
• Relli's betrayal framed as part of a larger trend of "sue-happy" culture targeting successful individuals.

3. Relli’s False Testimony & Perjury

• [04:13–05:42] Detailed breakdown of Relli’s inconsistencies and alleged lies on the stand:
  • Referenced media (TMZ, New York Times) reports of Relli denying incidents under oath, only to be confronted with contradictory evidence (e.g., shooting at a firing range).
  • Rocky’s lawyer, Joe Tacopina, is quoted calling out the DA for “embracing perjury.”
  • Notable quote:
    • "[You] got on the stand and just lied, lied, lied every which way you could possibly think of. I'm talking up, up, down, down, left, right, left, right. Press B, press A, press start. Oh, really? You're gonna need all the lives you can get..." [04:41]

4. Recorded Call: The Shakedown Plot

• [05:42–06:04] Charlamagne plays and discusses a recording used as evidence in court, where Relli admits to seeking a payout:
  • Quote from the call:
  • "Already know I'm here 30ms. I walk away, basically. And find me. Because I'm going be on another island, just relaxing..." [05:42]
• Relli's own voice undermined his testimony; when pressed in court, he claimed,
  • "You guys just keep playing fake audio to me, like fake stuff. I never said none of that. To me, it doesn't even make sense." [06:17]

5. Courtroom Consequences and Moral

• [06:24–07:43] Charlamagne highlights how the jurors saw through Relli’s lies, contributing to Rocky’s acquittal.
  • Wonders about the logic of using a prop gun for protection and questions Rocky’s own judgment.
  • Reframes the story as a cautionary tale about watching too much TV drama and being unrealistic.
  • Analogies about lying:
    • "If Relly was a gps, you'd never reach your destination. It'd be just a bunch of wrong turns and detours. He's the friend that tells you he's five minutes away and hasn't even left the house yet. Just lying. No reason." [07:10]
• Issues a final admonition:
  • "You found out firsthand what happens when you put your hand on a bible and lie." [07:22]
  • "Someone's gotta go to jail. Okay, why not the guy who allegedly may have committed perjury?...In the future, that island's gonna be rikers." [07:37]

6. Signature "Hee Haw" and Closing Rant

• [07:43–08:00] Remy Ma’s “biggest hee haw” is awarded to A$AP Relli.
  • "Hee haw, hee haw." [07:43]
• Charlamagne’s parting shots:
  • "Are you dumb, boy? People can lie. He should be prosecuted. That's crazy." [07:44]
  • "N Words can lie for no reason, can't they? Cause people gotta stop that." [07:53]
  • Reiterates the importance of honesty and the inevitability of being exposed.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On failed extortion:
  • "ASAP Relly was just trying to get paid, alright? Nothing more, nothing less." [03:28]
• On courtroom perjury:
  • "You got on the stand and just lied, lied, lied every which way you could possibly think of. I'm talking up, up, down, down, left, right, left, right. Press B, press A, press start." [04:41]
• On boundaries and fame:
  • "Isolation, right? Put your boundaries up. Stay within your circle...Most of the time, the most dangerous." [03:36]
• On being unreliable:
  • "If Relly was a gps, you'd never reach your destination. It'd be just a bunch of wrong turns and detours...Just lying. No reason." [07:10]
• Final call for justice:
  • "Someone's gotta go to jail. Okay, why not the guy who allegedly may have committed perjury? Why not the guy who allegedly was trying to extort their friend for $30 million?...that island's gonna be rikers." [07:37]

Segment Timestamps

• [02:14] Donkey of the Day Award: A$AP Relli
• [02:47] ABC News: Trial verdict and Rocky’s relief
• [03:24] Charlamagne on Relli’s motives and warnings to celebrities
• [04:13] Exposing Relli’s perjury and inconsistencies
• [05:42] Presentation of the shakedown phone call in court
• [06:24] Reactions to the audio and trial consequences
• [07:10] GPS analogy and continued critique of lying
• [07:43] Biggest Hee Haw from Remy Ma; final moral lesson

Conclusion

Charlamagne closes with a stern warning about betraying trust, the futility of lying under oath, and the perils that come with celebrity. His commentary is biting but honest, using A$AP Relli’s failed extortion attempt and courtroom theatrics as an example for listeners everywhere. The episode mixes humor, candid life advice, and streetwise common sense; a classic Donkey of the Day.

Listeners who missed the episode get not just an overview of events, but feel for Charlamagne’s sharp wit and the cultural significance of the trial’s outcome.