The people's Donkey

Summary

Podcast Summary: The Breakfast Club

Episode: The People's Donkey
Date: June 5, 2026
Hosts: DJ Envy, Jess Hilarious (absent), Charlamagne Tha God
Network: The Black Effect Podcast Network and iHeartPodcasts

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Episode Overview

This episode of The Breakfast Club centers around "The People's Donkey" segment, where listeners call in to nominate individuals or groups deserving of "Donkey of the Day" for their perceived foolishness or bad decisions. With Jess Hilarious out for her son’s graduation, Charlamagne Tha God and DJ Envy hold it down, fielding calls, sharing opinions, and reflecting on both personal and societal issues raised by listeners.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Introduction to “People’s Donkey”

Duration: [03:00 – 03:16]

• The hosts invite listeners to call in and nominate their "donkey"—someone who they think deserves criticism for foolish behavior.
• Charlamagne explains: “That’s where we open the phone lines and allow you, the listener, to give somebody the credit they deserve for being stupid.” [03:00]

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2. Callers Nominate Their “Donkeys”

a. Donkey for Donald Trump
Caller: Tomas (New Mexico)
Timestamp: [03:00 – 03:49]

• Tomas calls out Donald Trump for his public appearances at sports events while failing to address issues such as rising prices, contradicting his promises to make things cheaper.
• Charlamagne agrees: “I don't know why you would even... it gives the impression that you don't have bigger, bigger things to be doing than attending a basketball game.” [03:37]

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b. Donkey for Couples Skipping Premarital Counseling
Caller: Brandy (Houston)
Timestamp: [03:54 – 05:56]

• Brandy calls out millennials and Gen Z couples who marry without seeking premarital counseling. She shares her own positive experience and stresses its importance, especially considering divorce rates and the state of Black marriage.
• Notable exchange:
  • Brandy: “It helps the bond... you think you know your partner—no, you know them, but... in marriage counseling... it breaks so many barriers and there’s so much baggage you don’t realize...” [04:13]
  • Envy agrees and shares that his pastor required premarital counseling: “When I got married... for the pastor to oversee the wedding... I had to go to counseling... one or two years ago.” [05:02]
  • Charlamagne admits he didn’t do counseling but thinks it’s a great idea: “I ain’t go to church... I think it’s a good idea, though.” [05:10]
• Brandy closes with: “Love is great, but get some counseling. The tough conversations will pay off in the end.” [05:56]

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c. Donkey for Hosts' Handling of “Daddy Issues” Joke
Caller: Ty'Esha Lavon (Pennsylvania)
Timestamp: [06:13 – 09:29]

• Ty’Esha criticizes Charlamagne and Envy for making light of co-host Lauren LaRosa’s relationship with her father, specifically referencing a recent segment that touched on sensitive family dynamics.
• Ty’Esha: “Y’all go too hard on Lauren... especially daddy issues... As a listener, it hurt my feelings.” [06:22]
• She implores them to remember that joking about these matters can be cringeworthy and triggering for listeners with similar experiences: “If anybody ever talked to me... I would really be wanting to fight y’all, especially because I’ve listened to her story...” [07:49]
• Charlamagne responds: “We are the best thing to ever happen to her professionally. I refuse to accept that.” [08:20]
• Lauren acknowledges she hears the criticism and Charlamagne reflects: “Some of the jokes be warranted, but other stuff... we should start having conversations about the real things that are happening with me and my dad...” [08:28]
• They conclude expressing empathy but emphasize the camaraderie and openness of their conversational style: “Yeah, we don’t want to trigger nobody. I don’t want to put no salt in Lauren Larose’s father wound...” [09:04]
• Ty’Esha appreciates the dialogue and honesty before departing.

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Notable Quotes

• Charlamagne Tha God

  • “That’s where we open the phone lines and allow you, the listener, to give somebody the credit they deserve for being stupid.” [03:00]
  • “Some of the jokes be warranted, but other stuff... we should start having conversations about the real things that are happening with me and my dad...” [08:28]

• Brandy (Caller)

  • “Love is great, but get some counseling. The tough conversations will pay off in the end.” [05:56]

• Ty'Esha Lavon (Caller)

  • “Y’all go too hard on Lauren... As a listener, it hurt my feelings.” [06:22]

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Timestamps for Important Segments

• [03:00] — Introduction to “People’s Donkey”
• [03:25] — Tomas nominates Donald Trump
• [03:59] — Brandy advocates premarital counseling
• [05:56] — Brandy’s closing thoughts on counseling
• [06:13] — Ty’Esha Lavon confronts hosts about “daddy issues” jokes
• [08:28] — Charlamagne reflects on sharing personal father issues
• [09:29] — Segment wrap-up

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Memorable Moments

• Engaged Listener Advocacy: Brandy from Houston passionately advocates for premarital counseling and opens up about personal relationship growth through therapy.
• Listener Accountability: Ty’Esha holds the hosts to account for their on-air treatment of sensitive personal topics, leading to a candid discussion about the balance between humor, empathy, and authenticity.

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Tone and Style

Consistent with The Breakfast Club’s signature conversational, playful, and sometimes provocative style, this episode features real-time audience interaction, honest host reflections, and a willingness to address listener feedback—both positive and critical. The episode is marked by its blend of comedy, real talk, and community engagement, fostering open dialogue on relationships, culture, and personal growth.

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For listeners interested in honest conversations about relationships, generational divides, and the art of public radio banter, this episode delivers both substance and trademark Breakfast Club energy.

Transcript

[Charlamagne Tha God]

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[Envy]

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[Charlamagne Tha God]

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[State Farm Announcer]

It's your time to nominate a donkey of your own.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Remember now, that is how they choose. Call in now.

[Envy]

800-585-1051.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Donkey Today for Friday, June 5th is the People's donkey. That's where we open the phone lines and allow you, the listener, to give somebody the credit they deserve for being stupid. All you got to do is call us right now. 1-800-585-1051. Good morning. This is Tomas Damas.

[Caller]

Tomas Thomas.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Why didn't you say that the first time?

[Envy]

New Mexico.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

His name is Thomas. Good morning, Thomas. Who you want to get a biggest he haw to Thomas?

[Caller]

Let's give it to Donald Trump. If he want to be going to Knicks games and hosting USC events and not bringing down these damn prices of supposed to make cheaper and it's making it more expensive.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

You're absolutely right. I mean, that's not sending a good look. That's why I say I'm low. I don't know why you would even, I don't know, it gives the impression that you don't have bigger, bigger things to be doing than attending a basketball game.

[Caller]

Exactly.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Well, thank you, Tomas. Good morning. Who's this? Who you want to get the biggest he heart to?

[Caller]

Hey, this is Brandy from Houston. Hey, Charlotte Peace.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Brandy from Houston. Who you want to get the biggest

[Caller]

he haw to envy? I want to give it to any couple millennials, Gen Z, whoever, who are out here getting married without doing premarital counseling. I'm currently engaged and me and my fiance, we've been together for a few years, but we're doing premarital counseling. And when I tell you, it just, it helps the bond. It helps us understand the challenges that we're going to face, things that we may have not addressed. And you think you know your partner. No, you know them. But when you get into like a marriage counseling and talk to somebody, a therapist, oh, it breaks so many barriers and there's so much baggage that you don't, you know, realize that you have or realize that you haven't shared with your partner. So anybody getting married with the divorce rate and just with the marriage rate for black people get premarital counseling.

[Envy]

I agree with you.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Yeah. My pastor won't even consider your marriage. Like, he won't. They won't even let you do your ceremony without that.

Yeah.

[Envy]

When I got married, I had to. For the pastor to oversee the wedding, he had. I had to go to counseling. Me and my wife had to go, I think, one or two years ago.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

For real?

[Envy]

Yep.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

I ain't go to church, so I ain't. I ain't had none of that. I didn't have none of that, but I did. I think it's a good idea, though.

[Caller]

It's a great idea. Like, it's. It's good we go every week. I love it. And I feel like it's already, like, preparing us for what's to come, how to handle things. I'm more of a open communicator. And my fiance's kind of avoided and acts like everything's fine. And even when I dig at him, like, they tell me, you know, am I doing this? Am I doing that? Are we good? He doesn't want to disappoint me or he doesn't want to have any issue from that. So we're working through that. It's just amazing to have and.

Hey, Lauren.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Hey, good morning.

[Caller]

Is Jess there?

[Envy]

No, she's. Her son's own graduation.

[Caller]

Oh, okay. I love her. Well, I love you guys, and I just wanted to give the donkey of the day to anybody jumping into it too soon. Like, love is great, but get some counseling. The tough conversations will pay off in the end.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Do you Hear that, Lauren LaRosa?

I do. I hear you. It's happening.

All right, let's take one more. Good morning. Who's this?

[Caller]

Hello, this is Ty' Esha Lavon on all social medias coming out of Pennsylvania.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Okay, Ty' Esha Lavon on all social media is coming out of Pennsylvania. Who you wanna get a big and

[Caller]

see haw to you and envy what we do? Charlamagne and envy. And I'm giving it to y' all because I am a fan of the show, for real. But I think y' all go too hard on Lauren. And I did not appreciate the other day when y' all was going hard on her about her daddy issues. That really hurt my heart. I'm a daddy's girl. I got my own daddy issues. And I didn't like that whole situation. I know that might be your friend. Y' all lasting. He, he, he, he. As a listener, it hurt my feelings.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Well, I want to tell you something.

[Caller]

That was talking about her asking her dad to walk her down the aisle. That really hurt my feelings.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Here's the thing. Wait a minute. Lauren doesn't have daddy issues. She don't have a daddy. Wow. And they're the difference. Wow. She does have a daddy.

[Caller]

That is what I'm talking about. And for y' all to make light of that on the air and talk about that, that hurt my feelings.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

She has a daddy.

[Envy]

He's just not there. There's a difference.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

I treat Lauren's daddy the way Lauren treats her father. And the.

Yeah, shut up. You don't even know.

[Joybox/LingoKids Announcer]

Yes.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

She's always jokes about him.

Yes. But what she's saying is, is that you trigger her. You made her upset. You just need to apologize.

[Envy]

No, Ty', esha.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

I said if her dad is not

[Envy]

there to walk her down the aisle, the uncs will. We will walk her down.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Yes.

Tyisha.

What's wrong with that?

I appreciate that.

You know her daddy. Tyisha. Let me tell Daddy did to her on YouTube. She put up a video on YouTube. What was that video about, Lauren?

It was. What interview was it?

It was an interview she did with somebody her daddy left on the comments. Who cares? Wow.

[Caller]

Listen, don't.

And if that happened, I just don't think that y' all should be laughing and joking about it on the radio like, I don't know. I'm a big daddy's girl. I love my daddy, but we have our own issues. So if anybody ever talked to me and made fun of it, it would really, like, piss me off. Like, I would really be wanting to fight y', all, especially because I've listened to her story about how she was treated over at tmz. And so for her to go from there to being in the environment with y', all, I think that y' all need to just tone it down a little bit.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

First of all, we are the best thing to ever happen to her professionally. I refuse to accept that. I refuse accept that.

I appreciate you for calling, but some of the jokes be warranted, but other stuff that isn't warranted, I think, and I was telling Envy this other day, we should start having conversations about the real things that are happening with me and my dad sometimes, because it's a lot of people that I'd be running into in real life, too, that be like, I actually appreciate the fact that you're not afraid to talk about some of the issues you and your dad be having. I don't know how much my dad appreciates it. That's been a conversation. But. But I understand, though. It's very.

[Caller]

I understand where you're coming from and, you know, the jokes and jokes and friends amongst you guys. It might be Cool. But as a listener, it's like cringy.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Yeah, we don't want to. We don't want to trigger nobody. I don't want to put no salt in Lauren Larose's father womb, but, man, sometimes when her voice cracks talking about it, it's kind of, you know, it's just.

[Envy]

That's not funny, man.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

I didn't say it was funny.

[Joybox/LingoKids Announcer]

She's not hurt.

[Envy]

I don't know if she's hurt.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

He said it's funny.

You want that? Can I throw that word this at him?

Yes, he wants it.

[Caller]

Okay.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Okay.

Because I really. I got some things to get off my chest.

[Envy]

All right. Thank you, Tyisha. We appreciate your honesty.

[Caller]

Thank you. Have a blessed day, y'.

All.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Thank you. Ty.

You lucky this look bomb expensive or I would have threw it at you.

Why?

Because, like, if my voice ever crack, you better get quiet and just console me from afar.

[Envy]

Come on, wrap it up, man.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Listen, we do the people's donkey every Friday, 1-800-585-1051. If you want to call up and give somebody the credit they deserve for being stupid, you can do that. Okay.

[Envy]

That's right.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

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[Charlamagne Tha God]

This is an I heart podcast. Guaranteed human.