DONKEY: Bulls Waive Jaden Ivey After His Anti-LGBTQ Rant

Summary

Podcast Summary: Donkey of the Day – Bulls Waive Jaden Ivey After His Anti-LGBTQ Rant

Podcast: Power 105.1 FM (WWPR-FM) – The Breakfast Club
Host: Charlamagne tha God
Date: March 31, 2026
Episode Theme: Charlamagne awards the "Donkey of the Day" to Jaden Ivey, analyzing the fallout from Ivey’s anti-LGBTQ remarks and the consequences of his actions.

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Episode Overview

This episode centers around the controversy involving former Chicago Bulls guard Jaden Ivey, who was waived from the team after making anti-LGBTQ comments during an Instagram Live broadcast. Charlamagne tha God dissects Ivey's statements, the repercussions he faces, and offers broader commentary on minding one’s own business and the importance of mental health and grace. The segment features direct audio from Ivey’s social media, followed by a pointed, humorous, and at times compassionate critique from Charlamagne.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Background on Jaden Ivey’s Career and Incident

• [02:10] Charlamagne gives context: Ivey, a 24-year-old NBA player drafted 5th in 2022 and set for a lucrative career, was most recently with the Bulls when he was waived "for conduct detrimental to the team."
• He references Ivey’s anti-LGBTQ comments during a recent IG Live.

2. Jaden Ivey’s Statements and Mindset

• [02:47, 03:23] Charlamagne plays clips where Ivey criticizes the NBA and society for “proclaiming LGBTQ and Pride Month,” labeling them as “unrighteousness.”
  • Quote [02:47] – Jaden Ivey:
    “They say, come join us for Pride Month to celebrate unrighteousness… So how is it that one can't speak righteousness?”
• Ivey suggests he is unfairly judged for expressing his beliefs and questions why he was deemed “detrimental” to the team.
  • Quote [06:09] – Jaden Ivey:
    “What did I do to the players? I did nothing. But, but practice with them, play with them, pass the ball to them, good teammate…”

3. Charlamagne’s Critique and Philosophical Perspective

• [03:54] Charlamagne responds with a message about minding one’s own business, referencing the Stoic philosopher Epictetus:
  • Quote [03:57] – Charlamagne:
    “Keep your attention focused entirely on what is truly your own concern. And be clear that what belongs to others is their business and none of yours.”
• Charlamagne highlights the hypocrisy present in religiously motivated judgment, quoting the Bible:
  • Quote [04:24] – Charlamagne:
    “Do not judge or you too will be judged. And this morning, I am judging how a young 24 year old man could blow his money being concerned about who another man is blowing.”
• He uses humor to point out the absurdity of obsessing over others’ sexuality:
  • Quote [05:05] – Charlamagne:
    “What he sucks, don’t make you ejaculate. If a man is a little light in the loafers, why do you care?”

4. Moral Judgment, Consequences, and Compassion

• Charlamagne cautions about making public statements on others’ lives, especially in a diverse environment like the NBA, and urges for understanding:
  • Quote [06:49] – Charlamagne:
    “Did it ever dawn on you some of the players might be a gentleman's gentleman?...You don't know who's gay. You don't know who has gay people in their family...”
• He distinguishes between judging and condemnation, reminding listeners that nobody is perfect.
• References reports on Ivey struggling with depression, using this as a springboard to advocate for mental health support over projecting internal pain onto others:
  • Quote [08:09] – Charlamagne:
    “What you are doing, Jaden, what you did is project a lot of hurt on the other people — you are bleeding on people who didn’t cut you.”
  • Quote [08:22] – Charlamagne:
    “Deal with your trauma, or your trauma will deal with you...Because right now, Jaden, you need something that you weren’t willing to give to the LGBTQ community. And that something is called grace.”

5. Memorable, Humorous Moments

• Charlamagne’s comedic analogy on personal concern:
  • Quote [05:13] – Charlamagne:
    “If a man takes his sandwich with a pickle, let him have his pickle.”
• Speculates about the motivation behind Ivey’s focus:
  • Quote [05:33] – Charlamagne:
    “I think what people like Jaden Ivey really want to say is I might be curious...because I too would like to play hopscotch on a Gamecock. But I’m not free to be who I want to be.”
• The iconic Donkey of the Day “he haw!” sound and concluding roast.

6. Reflection and Consequences in the NBA

• [09:05-10:12] Charlamagne and others wrap up by reinforcing the idea that public platforms have consequences.
  • Quote [09:54] – Charlamagne:
    “If you do think that, and you do decide to go live, you have to deal with the consequences of those actions...You don’t know who on that team is gay, the owners of that team might be gay. They might have gay kids. And you're gonna go live and just insult the whole community and expect it not to be any consequences?”
• They agree that keeping such opinions private is essential in professional environments.

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Notable Quotes & Moments with Timestamps

• Jaden Ivey (on IG Live):
  “They say, come join us for Pride Month to celebrate unrighteousness... How is it that one can’t speak righteousness?” – [02:47]
• Charlamagne tha God (minding your business):
  “Keep your attention focused entirely on what is truly your own concern...Minding other people's business could cost you yours.” – [03:54]
• Charlamagne (humor):
  “What he sucks, don’t make you ejaculate. If a man is a little light in the loafers, why do you care?” – [05:05]
• Charlamagne (reflection):
  “Deal with your trauma, or your trauma will deal with you.” – [08:22]
• Charlamagne (call for grace):
  “Right now, Jaden, you need something that you weren’t willing to give to the LGBTQ community. And that something is called grace.” – [08:28]

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Conclusion

Charlamagne uses the incident of Jaden Ivey’s anti-LGBTQ comments to deliver a broader lesson about judgment, the pitfalls of public moralizing, the necessity of minding one’s own business, and the critical importance of mental health and compassion. The segment mixes humor, tough love, and moral philosophy, ending by calling for grace and self-reflection—both for Ivey and the listening audience.

Transcript

[Charlamagne tha God]

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[Charlamagne tha God (Donkey of the Day Segment)]

thing that he haw Hee haw. It's a bunch of donkeys around here. It's time for Donkey of the Day. I got the donkey of the day for these. They made me the donkey of the day by the things that I said. Damn Charlamagne. Some donkey. Today's just sell themselves it was you.

[Charlamagne tha God]

What accountability are you taking

[Charlamagne tha God (Donkey of the Day Segment)]

on the Breakfast Club?

[Jaden Ivey (IG Live Clips)]

That being said, I want to start off with this donkey right here.

[Charlamagne tha God (Donkey of the Day Segment)]

Yes, donkey. Today for Tuesday, March 31 goes the former Chicago Bulls guard Jaden Ivy. Jaden is a young man, okay? 24 years old. He played college basketball for Purdue and he was drafted as the fifth overall pick by the Detroit Pistons in 2022. He signed a four year 32 million dollar deal with the Pistons. Okay. He was traded to the Chicago Bulls this year and was set to make $10 million. Okay. I don't know if he' but the young man was waived by the Chicago Bulls yesterday for conduct detrimental to the team. What did young Jaden do? Well, let's go to his IG Live for the report.

[Jaden Ivey (IG Live Clips)]

The world can proclaim lgbtq. They proclaim Pride Month and the NBA. They proclaim it. They, they show it to the world. They say, come, come join us for Pride, for Pride Month to celebrate unrighteousness. They proclaim it. They proclaim it on the billboards. They proclaim it in the streets. Unrighteousness. So how is it that one can't speak righteousness? How is it one that.

[Liberty Mutual Ad Voices (Doug and Partner)]

How.

[Charlamagne tha God]

How.

[Jaden Ivey (IG Live Clips)]

How are they to say that, man, this man is crazy.

[Charlamagne tha God (Donkey of the Day Segment)]

So play that again. One more time, please.

[Jaden Ivey (IG Live Clips)]

The world can proclaim lgbtq. They proclaim Pride Month in the NBA. They proclaim it. They show it to the world. They say, come join us for Pride, for Pride Month to celebrate unrighteousness. They proclaim it. They proclaim it on the billboards. They proclaim it in the streets. Unrighteousness. So how is it that one can't speak righteousness? How is it one that. How are they to say that, man, this man is crazy.

[Charlamagne tha God (Donkey of the Day Segment)]

So he said that the LGBTQ Pride Month is unrighteous. So the Bulls waved Jaden Ivy after what they call anti LGBTQ comments. Listen to me, kids. If you don't listen to anything that comes out of your Uncle Charlotte's mouth ever again, listen to this. Keep your attention focused entirely on what is truly your own concern. And be clear that what belongs to others is their business and none of yours. I repeat, keep your attention focused entire on what is truly your own concern. And be clear that what belongs to others is their business and none of yours. Those are wise words from the Stoic philosopher Epictetus. Okay? Minding other people's business could cost you yours. All right? It is amazing to me that religious folks will claim they are following scripture when they make moral evaluations about people like Jaden Ivey did, but they never seem to follow the Scripture. Matthew 7:1, do not judge or you too will be judged. And this morning, I am judging how a young 24 year old man could blow his money being concerned about who another man is blowing. Okay, when I tell you I could care less what another man is doing with their penis if a man wants to make the back of his throat a party for another man. If I'm not the man being invited to come, I could care less. Okay? It makes no sense to me how much people care about other people's sexuality. If a man Takes his sandwich with a pickle. Let him have his pickle. Okay? What? He sucks. Don't make you ejaculate. Okay? If a man is a little light in the loafers, why do you care? All right? Do you understand what it means to sit, sit around and worry about who's gay? Okay? You're literally sitting around thinking about a man having sex with another man. So much so that you gotta go live and tell the world about your thoughts. Okay? I think what people like Jaden Ivey really want to say is I might be curious, okay? That's why I can't stop thinking about men having sex with other men. And when I get on IG live and condemn y' all behavior, it's because I too would like to play hopscotch on a Gamecock. But I'm not free to be who I want to be. Now, Jade Nivi decided to go on IG after he was waived by the Bulls. The question why he was waived. Let's listen.

[Jaden Ivey (IG Live Clips)]

What did I do to the players? I did nothing. But, but, but practice with them, play with them, pass the ball to them, good teammate to them, said, good job, good shot. I said, I said, good job, good job, good pass. Way to play, bro. Right? I said these things to my teammates, was never detrimental to them. So why is it that the NBA and, and the Chicago Bulls say that I'm detrimental to the team? How? Because I. Because I had. Because I believe in. In the truth. Because. Because I know Jesus is the way, the truth and the life. How is my conduct detrimental to the team? Because of what I believe, because of what the truth is?

[Charlamagne tha God (Donkey of the Day Segment)]

Jesus is the way, the truth and the light. But Jaden, you have no idea how the real world works, okay? What did you do to the team? What did you do to the players? Did it ever dawn on you some of the players might be a gentleman's gentleman? Did you ever stop to think that people on the team, they might be brown pipe engineers. You don't even know who you offended, okay? The owners, the sponsors, the coaches, players. You don't know who's gay. You don't know who has gay people in their family. There might be people on the team who got gay kids, but you didn't care about any of that when you made your statement. Listen, I know when we talk about the Bible in Matthew 7:1, do not judge or you too will be judged. That doesn't mean, you know, never make moral evaluations. Of course we are going to see a moral things and call them out. But there's a difference between being judgmental, condemn and condemning, okay? Being hypocritical and judging righteously, using discernment. Okay, Jaden, who the hell are you to tell someone that what they are doing is unrighteous? Okay. All right, my brother. I'm not knocking your religion, all right? I'm not knocking you. I'm not knocking what you believe. But unless you are perfect, okay? I'm talking the Messiah, the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ himself, you are not perfect to be making these kind of moral evaluations about people. Now, I read in this article on espn, it says Jaden is dealing with depression. And this is why I encourage so many of us to invest in our mental health, okay? You have to do the work on yourself. Take your ass to therapy and figure out what's going on in your head and your heart. Because what you are doing, Jaden, what you did is project a lot of hurt on the other people you are bleeding, on people who didn't cut you. And what do I always say? Deal with your trauma, or your trauma will deal with you. If. If you watch this video of this brother Jaden, you can clearly see him speaking through the filter of his wound. So I hope he gets the help he needs. Because right now, Jaden, you need something that you weren't willing to give to the LGBTQ community. And that something is called grace. Please give Jaden Ivy the biggest he haw. You better stop minding other people's business.

[Charlamagne tha God]

That's crazy. So what if that's just the way he feel? Like, why you gotta be depressed? Why he gotta. Well, he said before.

[Charlamagne tha God (Donkey of the Day Segment)]

He's got depressed before that.

[Charlamagne tha God]

No, but I'm saying in the. The donkey today, Charlie say, you know, he might. He might have. He might be curious. You might.

[Charlamagne tha God (Donkey of the Day Segment)]

Because why do you care so much about what somebody's doing with their penis?

[Charlamagne tha God]

Yeah, but I'm saying some people just.

[Charlamagne tha God (Donkey of the Day Segment)]

Why are you sitting around thinking about who's gay? Exactly. Like, why are you sitting around thinking about, why is this man sleeping with this man? Like, you don't think that's. Like, that's. That's actually strange? You just at home like, I bet you he gay. I bet you he sleeps with other men. Let me go live and tell the world that this is so wrong that he's sleeping with another man? Why do you care so much?

[Charlamagne tha God]

Definitely wouldn't. Definitely shouldn't have. Went live with it for sure. Definitely shouldn't have. I agree with a lot.

[Charlamagne tha God (Donkey of the Day Segment)]

You shouldn't even think that.

[Charlamagne tha God]

But you.

[Charlamagne tha God (Donkey of the Day Segment)]

I mean, and if you do think that, and you do decide to go live, you have to deal with the consequences of those actions. Because guess what? As I said, you. He don't know who on that team is gay. He don't know the owners of that team might be gay. They might have gay kids. And you're gonna go live and just insult the whole community and expect it not to be any consequences for those actions?

[Charlamagne tha God]

Yeah, I don't know what I was just thinking.

[Charlamagne tha God (Donkey of the Day Segment)]

That's just ridiculous. All right, well, thank you for that donkey today. Now, when we come back, the newest cast member of Real Housewives of Atlanta, Pinky Cole, owner and founder of Slutty Vegan. She'll be joining us next. It's the Breakfast Club. Good morning. Donkey of the day is sponsored by renowned personal injury attorney Michael the Bull. Lame. Soft. Don't be a donkey when you need fighter on your side. If you're ever injured, go to Michael the Bull dot com. That's Michael the Bull dot com. And when you mess with the bull, you get the horns.

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

[Charlamagne tha God (Donkey of the Day Segment)]

Oh, no.

[Liberty Mutual Ad Voices (Doug and Partner)]

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

Yeah, the bird looks out of your league. Anyways.

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[Charlamagne tha God]

This is an iHeart podcast.

[Charlamagne tha God (Donkey of the Day Segment)]

Guaranteed Human.