The People's Donkey

Summary

The Breakfast Club — “The People's Donkey”

Date: June 12, 2026
Hosts: DJ Envy, Jess Hilarious, Charlamagne Tha God
Producer: The Black Effect Podcast Network & iHeartPodcasts

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Episode Overview

This episode of The Breakfast Club centers on their signature segment, "Donkey of the Day," with a special Friday twist: "The People's Donkey." Instead of the hosts choosing who deserves the "Donkey" title, listeners call in to nominate anyone they believe has earned the credit for their foolishness. As always, the hosts engage with listeners with humor, candor, and the trademark Breakfast Club banter, touching on themes like mental health, social justice, and community support, while providing fiery back-and-forth and lighthearted moments.

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Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Introduction to "The People's Donkey"

• Charlamagne Tha God introduces the Friday tradition: listeners call in and bestow the “Donkey” label on whomever they choose, including the hosts.
• Emphasis on free speech, community participation, and the lighter side of holding people accountable.
• [03:03] “There’s a bunch of donkeys out here in these streets… so every Friday we open the phone lines and let the people give folks the credit they deserve for being stupid.” — Charlamagne Tha God

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2. Listener Calls: Community, Criticism, and Humor

a. Mark from Virginia — Appreciation and Mental Health

• [03:39] Mark calls to thank Charlamagne for advocating for mental health, especially among Black men.
• He mentions hearing Taraji P. Henson speak on therapy, joining her foundation, and attributes his ongoing therapy to these influences.
• [04:09] “I got six free sessions from that… and I’ve been consistently in therapy since then, and a huge part of it is your conversation on it, Charlamagne. I’ve also read your books. I don’t need one for free, I buy them.”
• Ends with a lighthearted “Hee Haw” to the President, noting his dissatisfaction.

b. Kendrick/Kendry — Giving Charlamagne the Donkey

• [05:27] Kendrick, whose name is pronounced like “Kendrick Lamar” but with a Dominican twist, playfully nominates Charlamagne for always “coming for people” while voicing mental health.

• [06:14] “It’s cut up… I mean, you Charlamagne, you know what you be doing — telling the truth. No, you be spicy!”

• Caller asks Charlamagne to be “a little nicer.”

• Charlamagne responds tongue-in-cheek, acknowledging his own astrological sign and his “spicy” reputation.

c. Kim from Phoenix — Social Justice Concern

• [07:09] Kim gives the “Hee Haw” to “that all white jury that convicted that nineteen year old, Carmelo Anthony” (unclear case, but referencing racial injustice).
• [08:03] “I actually feel very bad for all parties involved… because to me that was a situation that did not have to happen… where would he adopt to intervene.” — Charlamagne Tha God
• Kim (flight attendant) calls for legal help for the convicted and expresses deep sadness about racial inequality in the legal system.

d. Jay from Atlanta — Playful Corrections for Hosts

• [09:22] Jay from Atlanta gives the hosts the “Hee Haw” for sometimes talking over each other, specifically calling out Charlamagne for interrupting Lauren and Fresh during journalistic segments.
• [09:48] “You can call Lauren Batman… you said her bald spot is like the bat signal…”
• Jay’s call turns into a comedic roast, sparking a playful back-and-forth among the hosts about making jokes versus staying serious, especially with comedian Jess Hilarious “not being hilarious enough.”

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3. Notable Banter and Quotes

• [06:43] “You like the little cancer Chucky doll — you nice but then you got that other side.” — Kendrick, listener
• [10:46] “She don’t want me to make no jokes, but then she want Jess to make jokes — what am I supposed to do? Just sit here?” — Charlamagne Tha God
• [11:46] “Dude, everybody shut up on the goddamn version, shut up. OK? I love listening to y’all, but not when y’all talking. Everybody needs to shut up, goddamn!” — Charlamagne Tha God

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Timestamps for Important Segments

• 03:03 — Charlamagne sets up “Donkey of the Day” and introduces the listeners’ turn
• 03:39 — Mark discusses mental health, therapy journeys, and appreciation for the hosts
• 05:27 — Kendrick/Kendry gives Charlamagne the Donkey for “spicy” behavior
• 07:15 — Kim from Phoenix discusses racial injustice and asks for broader legal support
• 09:22 — Jay from Atlanta critiques the hosts’ on-air antics
• 11:46 — Charlamagne’s comedic “shut up” moment, punctuating the host-listener dynamic
• 12:07 — Wrap-up and reminder that anyone, including the hosts, can get “Donkey of the Day”

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Memorable Moments

• Listener Mark’s heartfelt gratitude for the impact of open dialogue about mental health in the Black community, crediting the show and Taraji P. Henson’s foundation with his own therapy journey.
• Kendrick’s playful “intervention” for Charlamagne’s double-edged humor, leading to astrology jokes and self-awareness.
• Kim’s passionate plea for attention to racial injustice in the legal system, specifically referencing a recent contentious conviction.
• Jay’s hilarious pop-culture references and on-air roast, sparking candid reflection and laughter among hosts.

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Takeaways

• “The People’s Donkey” invites the community to hold the mic, offering a blend of criticism, support, and comic relief.
• Recurring themes include the importance of mental health advocacy, the persistent presence of racial inequality, and the lively, unfiltered Breakfast Club humor listeners have come to expect.
• The hosts remain open to critique and connection, reinforcing their longstanding relationship with their audience.

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For fans and newcomers alike, this episode is a true showcase of The Breakfast Club’s unique, listener-driven format — equal parts service, satire, and soul.

Transcript

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[Charlamagne Tha God]

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[DJ Envy]

breakfast club what up y' all this is dh envy from the breakfast club from curtis fifty cent jackson and the executive producers of power comes the stars original series raising canaan kanan's journey is driven by ambition and betrayal as he fights to escape the shadow of his mother rock played by tony grammy and naacp award winning patina miller as tensions rise kanan forges a dangerous alliance that sets off a war with his own blood becoming the ruthless man he's destined to be this final season is a must watch tune in when it drops and stay ahead of the spoilers the final season of raising kanan is here watch now only on starz made it

[Charlamagne Tha God]

it's time for donkey of the day there's a bunch of donkeys out here in these streets i made 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 make offend we never would say it charlemagne give

[Caller/Listener]

it to him give it to him

[Charlamagne Tha God]

you are a donkey that is why charlemagne is here some donkey today just saw themselves on the breakfast club okay charlamagne who you giving donkey of the day to today donkey of the day for friday july twelfth is the people's donkey you know every friday we open up the phone lines and we allow you the people to give folks the credit they deserve for being stupid so

[Caller/Listener]

good morning oh my god good morning it's mark hey mark who do you

[Charlamagne Tha God]

want to get a big to mark

[Caller/Listener]

oh my gosh i just want to give y' all my love and appreciation charlemagne your mental health journey has helped me so much i heard taraji on the radio one time and i signed up for her organization that helps men get therapy and that started my therapy

[Charlamagne Tha God]

journey yeah taraji has the boris lawrence hinson foundation it's named after her late

[Caller/Listener]

great father yes so i got six free sessions from that dope and i've been consistently in theory since then and a huge part of it is your conversation on it charlemagne i've also read your books i don't need one for free i buy them thank you brother

[Charlamagne Tha God]

i appreciate you but you know this donkey of the day though you got anybody you want to get a bigger

[Caller/Listener]

c haw to of course the president

[Charlamagne Tha God]

oh okay continue floor yours we don't

[Caller/Listener]

love him we just he's he's no good for the country can i also say jess i love you too and envy youtube when you and g used to have the podcast i used to listen and it helped me so much in my relationship and marriage i also have six kids so i just want y' all to know i love y' all and i've been listening for ten years i live in virginia now but i was in new york city before that for ten years well thank you

[DJ Envy]

brother thank you so much and we bringing the podcast back too oh yeah

[Caller/Listener]

please envy please i used to listen i also listen to the breakfast club podcast on apple and iheart and at the beginning of june i was refusing to pay for another subscription i got netflix because of y' all well thank

[Charlamagne Tha God]

you bro thank you baby make sure y' all go subscribe to the breakfast club podcast if you like listening to podcasts we do come out as an audio podcast every day is this a donkey yeah good morning who's this hello

[Caller/Listener]

hi good morning this is kendrick hey

[Charlamagne Tha God]

kendra you said kendra kendrick oh like

[Caller/Listener]

lamar yes oh wow like kendrick lamar

[Charlamagne Tha God]

who you want to get to be

[Caller/Listener]

i'm dominican in spanish it's kendry hey

[Charlamagne Tha God]

say what's up to your people envy

[Caller/Listener]

hola hi hi and dominican people are black too let me just say that

[Charlamagne Tha God]

who you want to get a biggest

[Caller/Listener]

he heart to man i'm sorry shower man i love you but i gotta give you the the donkey of the day okay what i do charlamagne why you always coming for people but you always preaching mental health you coming for me now we having an intervention right

[Charlamagne Tha God]

now that's what i feel like i

[Caller/Listener]

do is it is it because laura be coming in keep coming in on cute with her outfits and he's talking about her knee popping out like that's what that's what's supp happen it's part of the outfit so what's wrong with

[Charlamagne Tha God]

me making that observation then her knee is a part of the outfit i

[Caller/Listener]

just made an observation it's cut up i mean you charlemagne you know you know you you you know what you be doing telling the truth no you be spicy you be coming for people making fun of people i mean i love you and i appreciate you but you know just just be a little nicer around you a little bit i

[Charlamagne Tha God]

am very nice gotta take it easy

[Caller/Listener]

you are you like the little you you like the you like the little cancer chucky doll you nice but then you you got that other side i

[Charlamagne Tha God]

am a cancer my birthday is on

[Caller/Listener]

june twenty ninth i know i know it's coming up i love you i'm a long time listener and dj envy i miss you and gia's podcast are

[DJ Envy]

we gonna i just told somebody we're gonna bring it back we're gonna bring

[Charlamagne Tha God]

it back see how dominicans support dominicans

[DJ Envy]

that's what's up i'm not dominican but

[Caller/Listener]

yeah we're gonna bring it back some

[Charlamagne Tha God]

stabbing huh see got some stabbing yeah good morning who's this this is kim

[Caller/Listener]

calling from phoenix arizona hey kim i

[Charlamagne Tha God]

love phoenix man i had a ball in phoenix earlier this year for the women's final for phoenix and scottdale oh my god i'm going there this year

[DJ Envy]

for finals for my daughter's dance i'll be there in a little bit who

[Charlamagne Tha God]

you want to get the biggest hee

[Caller/Listener]

haw to i want to give the biggest he haw to that all white jury that convicted that nineteen year old i'm just carmelo anthony yes and you know what charlamagne my birthday is june thirtieth hey cancer gang yes isn't yours

[Charlamagne Tha God]

the twenty ninth twenty ninth yes ma'

[Caller/Listener]

am okay so you understand you feel things very deeply i feel so bad for that nineteen year old and his

[Charlamagne Tha God]

family i actually feel very bad for all parties involved i feel sorry that you know the guy austin metcalfe lost his life i feel sorry that carmelo anthony is in prison for thirty five years because to me that was a situation that did not have to happen like where would he adopt to intervene

[Caller/Listener]

i agree i agree but you know what you have so many people like the zimmerman that what was that one guy that walked down the street that had an ak forty seven he got up it's so sad that people who literally just kill folks because of their skin color it's just so sad to me i agree i feel so bad but i'm a flight attendant i thought i thought lauren larosa would be there because i know that she was a flight attendant but i'm a flight attendant and i was like you know what i got to stay awake i've got to try and speak with the breakfast club because i know you guys have a voice and it is so sad and if there's any way that any of the attorneys that are listening could just help that brother out and his family it it just it just breaks my heart it really really does well

[Charlamagne Tha God]

thank you for calling we really appreciate you man good morning good morning hey

[Caller/Listener]

who's this this is jay jay from

[Charlamagne Tha God]

atlanta hey jay from atlanta who you want to get the biggest hee haw

[Caller/Listener]

to jay i get the biggest he haw to to y' all i'm i love y' all uncle charlie you pass this up when lauren when lauren and fresh are talking and trying to do the journalism thing be quiet you be making dopes you can call lauren batman

[Charlamagne Tha God]

i ain't never called lauren no batman now why would i call lauren batman you might have called her superhero you said no i call her batman you definitely said her boss spot is like the bat signal she did say that before he never say that never called laura no batman yes he did and

[Caller/Listener]

jeff i had to get into a journalism bag and so i started listening to this regularly because that's hilarious you know what i'm saying i can just comedic early in the morning so why

[Charlamagne Tha God]

you need jeff to get in her journalism bag she's a comedian that's what

[Caller/Listener]

she said yep jeff don't be being funny for just see how serious it i mean it's supposed to be funny like jess is not hilarious oh wow

[Charlamagne Tha God]

you just throwing shots at everybody okay she's saying she don't want you to be so serious is what she's saying

[Caller/Listener]

oh okay yes yes i love yes

[Charlamagne Tha God]

but you know i love you too

[DJ Envy]

babe i appreciate the critique so what

[Charlamagne Tha God]

am i supposed to do that's a changed jest she don't want me to make no jokes but then she want jess to make jokes what am i supposed to do just sit here you

[Caller/Listener]

got too far but she trying to tout and get and ask the people they questions i agree with you so

[DJ Envy]

i'm gonna take it too far i

[Caller/Listener]

agree with you ma' am now you

[DJ Envy]

dj i was on your side now

[Charlamagne Tha God]

get on get on his ass you

[Caller/Listener]

do give them energy what charlotte say you act like you can't never put on like even with the politicians when they come on when they come on you know charlotte be on their ass he be talking real struggle what we going through out here he be on their ass even though he feels like mister krabby

[DJ Envy]

i'll make sure i'll make sure i speak up more and just to make sure she funny more charlemagne to make sure he don't make jokes on lauren i got you right be

[Caller/Listener]

quiet tell everybody

[Charlamagne Tha God]

dude everybody shut up on the goddamn version shut up okay i love listening to y' all but not when y' all talking everybody needs to shut up god damn thank you for calling man we appreciate you that's the people's donkey we do that every friday one eight hundred five eight five one zero five one you can call up and give anybody you want the credit they deserve for being stupid including

[DJ Envy]

us that's right clearly all right all right when we come back rich dennis will be joining us he's the owner of essence magazine of course he has the essence music festival that goes down september i said september july third through july fifth in new orleans and we're going to talk to him next it's the breakfast club good morning donkey of

[Charlamagne Tha God]

the day is sponsored by renowned personal injury attorney michael the bull lametsoft don't be a donkey when you need a 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

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