DONKEY: Biden Faces Backlash Over Pardoning His Son After Saying He Wouldn't

Summary

The Breakfast Club Podcast Summary

Episode Title: DONKEY: Biden Faces Backlash Over Pardoning His Son After Saying He Wouldn't
Host: Charlamagne Tha God & DJ Envy
Release Date: December 3, 2024
Produced By: iHeartPodcasts

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Introduction

In this heated episode of The Breakfast Club, Charlamagne Tha God and DJ Envy delve into the explosive controversy surrounding President Joe Biden’s decision to pardon his son, Hunter Biden. The episode, titled "DONKEY: Biden Faces Backlash Over Pardoning His Son After Saying He Wouldn't," provides a platform for candid discussions, critical analysis, and audience engagement on the implications of this unprecedented move in American politics.

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Biden's Pardon of Hunter Biden

The core of the episode revolves around President Joe Biden’s unexpected pardon of his son, Hunter Biden. Charlamagne Tha God introduces the topic by highlighting the stark contrast between Biden’s previous public assurances and his final decision.

Notable Quote:

"President Joe Biden pardoned his son, Hunter Biden... after repeatedly insisting in public that he wouldn't do it."
— Charlamagne Tha God [03:05]

The discussion references a CNN report detailing the President’s rationale for the pardon, which includes accusations that political opponents in Congress instigated the charges against Hunter Biden to undermine President Biden’s administration.

CNN Report Excerpt:

"President Biden said the charges against Hunter came about only after political opponents instigated them to attack him and oppose his election... 'no reasonable person who looks at the facts... can reach any other conclusion than Hunter was singled out only because he is my son. And that is wrong.'"
— CNN [03:41]

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Analysis and Critique

Charlamagne expresses deep frustration and disappointment with Biden’s actions, critiquing the Democratic Party’s perceived hypocrisy. He argues that Biden’s pardon is a clear deviation from the moral high ground the Democrats often claim to hold.

Notable Quote:

"I don't care if he pardons his son. I just want Democrats to stop acting like they are on this moral high ground..."
— Charlamagne Tha God [04:48]

Charlamagne emphasizes that no political party is immune to imperfection, but the inconsistency displayed by the Democrats in this scenario undermines their credibility. He contrasts Biden’s approach with former President Donald Trump’s more unapologetic and transparent pardon practices.

Notable Quote:

"Trump is unapologetic about it. He pardons his people, gives them jobs in his administration, and he doesn't explain it or act like he's above doing it. Meanwhile, Biden is acting like he's above it."
— Charlamagne Tha God [05:20]

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Impact on Biden's Legacy

The episode further explores the potential long-term effects of the pardon on President Biden’s legacy. Charlamagne suggests that this decision may overshadow Biden’s accomplishments and tie his legacy to controversial policies from previous administrations, such as the 1986 Anti-Drug Abuse Act and the 1994 Crime Bill.

Notable Quote:

"Your legacy will always be tied to the 86 Anti Drug Abuse Act and the 94 crime bill. How about pardon everybody in federal prison for a non-violent weed offense? That would shake things up."
— Charlamagne Tha God [10:22]

By proposing the pardon of non-violent offenders, Charlamagne highlights a path Biden could have taken to create a more positive and impactful legacy, contrasting it with his current actions which primarily benefit his family.

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Comparative Analysis with Trump's Pardons

Charlamagne draws a comparison between Biden’s pardon of his son and Trump’s broader pardon strategies, pointing out that Trump’s actions were part of a consistent pattern of supporting his inner circle without attempting to present it as morally superior.

Notable Quote:

"Trump is unapologetic about it... Biden, however, is trying to maintain a facade of moral superiority, which isn’t holding up."
— Charlamagne Tha God [06:00]

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Audience and Representative Voices

The episode features engagement with callers, where listeners share their perspectives on the pardon. Representative Greg Stanton of Arizona is quoted, acknowledging Hunter Biden’s misconduct while criticizing the pardon as being influenced by nepotism.

Notable Quote:

"Hunter committed felonies and was convicted by a jury of his peers. But he got a daddy who's pretty important and that daddy isn't going to let him go down."
— Charlamagne Tha God [07:10]

This segment underscores the broader public sentiment and political repercussions, illustrating the polarization and distrust engendered by the pardon.

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Potential Policy Implications and Recommendations

Charlamagne proposes actionable measures for President Biden to improve his legacy and address systemic issues, such as the disproportionate impact of the Anti-Drug Abuse Act and the 1994 Crime Bill on marginalized communities.

Notable Quote:

"Pardon everybody in federal prison for a non-violent weed offense. It don’t make no sense to me that weed is damn near legal in most of the country."
— Charlamagne Tha God [10:50]

He suggests that such reforms would not only rectify past injustices but also shift the narrative towards meaningful policy changes rather than personal family matters.

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Conclusion and Final Thoughts

As the episode concludes, Charlamagne reiterates the importance of holding political leaders accountable and rejects the notion that favoritism in governance is acceptable. He calls for genuine reform and transparency, urging listeners and the Democratic Party to prioritize ethical leadership over personal gain.

Notable Quote:

"Don’t be a donkey when you need a fighter on your side. If you're ever injured, go to michaelthebull.com... Wake that ass up early in the morning."
— Charlamagne Tha God [12:25]

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Summary

This episode of The Breakfast Club offers a critical examination of President Joe Biden’s controversial pardon of his son, Hunter Biden. Through incisive dialogue and robust analysis, Charlamagne Tha God and DJ Envy dissect the decision’s implications on political integrity, party credibility, and Biden’s presidential legacy. The discussion underscores themes of hypocrisy, favoritism, and the need for systemic reform, resonating with listeners who seek accountability and transparency in leadership.

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Note: The episode also contains several advertisements and promotional segments from sponsors such as Home Depot, Diet Coke, Amazon, and State Farm. These sections were intentionally omitted from the summary to focus on the core content and discussions relevant to the episode’s primary topic.

Transcript

[Charlamagne Tha God]

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[Angela Yee]

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[Charlamagne Tha God]

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[Angela Yee]

The holidays are here. It's that time of year to think about, yes, gifts, but not only gifts. It's the guests, the party planning and the true meaning of the season. Spending time with family and friends. We know it's a lot, but we're here to ease your mind and share some tips so we'll make it through together. Now is the time to shop early for amazing holiday deals at Amazon like the Rapid Egg Cooker and the Countertop Ice Maker, which is perfect for those days when you're hosting events and you do not want to run low on ice. Find the best holiday gifts on Amazon. Shop great deals now on Amazon and visit Amazon.com black effect podcast for my favorite picks.

[DJ Envy]

The holidays are about spending time with your loved ones and creating magical memories that will last a lifetime. So whether it's family and friends you haven't seen in a while. Or those who you see all the time share holiday magic this season with an ice cold Coca Cola. Copyright 2024 the Coca Cola Company.

[Unknown News Anchor]

The deadly police shooting.

It feels like my country doesn't dump me.

Charlamagne.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Now is not the time to sit this one out. It's time for donkey of the day. America is a big reality TV show.

Would you rather have the black president or the white president? You have a problem figuring out whether you're from me, Trump and you ain't black.

It's enough. America has a problem. Yes, donkey. Today for Tuesday, December 3rd goes to President Joe Biden. First of all, drop on the clues bombs for Taylor made it. Damn it, boy, Taylor be killing them intros, don't you?

She did the intro yesterday. Oh, crazy.

She just being there, high working. Go ahead, Taylor. Please don't play wire like that. She too. Now, if you haven't heard, President Joe Biden pardoned his son, Hunter Biden. Hunter Biden was convicted by a jury in June of illegally buying and possessing a gun as a drug user. He then pleaded guilty in September to nine tax offenses stemming from 1.4 million in taxes that he didn't pay while blowing bags on escorts, strippers, cars and drugs. Lord have mercy. Drop one of Kluz bombs with Hunter Biden. Who do you think he is? Future? Let's go to CNN for the report, please.

[Unknown News Anchor]

The president issuing a full and unconditional pardon to his son Hunter, after repeatedly insisting in public that he wouldn't do it. And to defend his decision, the president adopted an argument that could have come straight out of Donald Trump's playbook. Blame your political opponents and claim unfair persecution. President Biden said this, quote, the charges in his cases came about only after several of my political opponents in Congress instigated them to attack me and oppose my election. The President adding, quote, no reasonable person who looks at the facts of Hunter's cases can reach any other conclusion than Hunter was singled out only because he is my son. And that is wrong. End quote. President Biden pardoning his son not just for the gun crimes for which he was convicted and not just for the tax crimes for which he pled guilty. Instead, Biden gave his son an extraordinarily sweeping pardon for any and all crimes he committed, may have committed or even merely been involved in at any point in the last 10 years.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

You gotta cover up those things that happened in Ukraine, just like anything else that happens in our society. Though there's been mixed reactions to Biden pardoning his son. Let me be the first to tell you, I don't care, okay? As I said yesterday, I don't care if he pardons his son. I just want Democrats to stop acting like they are on this moral high ground politically when they have shown us time and time again they are not. Okay? Stop acting like they're the pure party and Republicans aren't. Because what happens in situations like this when you are old, always calling someone else out, people expect you to be perfect. And in politics, we know nobody is perfect. So the lease we should realistically expect you to be is better. And Biden pardoning his son for crimes that he actually committed isn't showing they are better. And you know who's to blame for that? Joe Biden. Joe Biden and his administration. Okay? Because once again, like they tend to do, they volunteer to lie. President Biden, nobody would care about you pardoning your son if you didn't say over and over that you wouldn't pardon your son. Okay? Nobody would care about you pardoning your son if you didn't have your press secretary, Kareem Kareem John Pierre constantly saying that you wouldn't pardon your son. You were the one who said you would never pardon your son because you have a respect for the rule of law. Okay? The reason you are getting this backlash is because Democrats always want to act like they stand on this moral high ground. I see all these folks comparing Biden's pardons to all the folks Trump is pardon. And you know the difference. Trump is unapologetic about it. He pardons his people, gives them jobs in his administration, and he doesn't explain it or act like he's above doing it. Meanwhile, this is what you and your press secretary have sounded like every single time you were asked if you would pardon your son. Is there any possibility that the president.

[DJ Envy]

Would end up pardoning his son?

[Kareem Jean-Pierre]

No, I just said no. I just answered, when would the president.

[Unknown News Anchor]

Pardon or commute his son if he's convicted?

[Kareem Jean-Pierre]

So I've answered this question before. It was asked of me not too long ago, a couple of weeks ago, and I was very clear and I said no, you've said before that the.

[Unknown News Anchor]

President would not pardon his son. Is that still the case?

[Kareem Jean-Pierre]

Nothing has changed. That is still the case.

[DJ Envy]

And have you ruled out a pardon for your son?

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Yes, I said I abide by the jury decision.

I will do that and I will not pardon him.

[Kareem Jean-Pierre]

I could speak for the president and he said he would not pardon his son.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Does the president have any intention of pardoning him?

[Kareem Jean-Pierre]

We've been asked that question multiple times. Our answer stands, which is no.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Man dropping a clues bombs for Kareem Jaffe. Boy, she's so tired of lying for y'all white people. My God. Now I know folks are saying Biden changed his mind and you have the right to change your mind. Sure, I agree with that. But I was reading an article on CNN this morning and it said multiple officials who recently worked for Joe Biden said they never believed the President. Our White House aides speaking on his behalf when they insisted in recent months that a pardon for Hunter Biden was off the table. A former senior West Wingate said anyone who was even close to the top knew that he was probably going to do this. So why did we pretend otherwise? That's what us inquiring minds want to know. President Biden. And that's the reason you are getting backlash about this. You said in your statement that you just came to this conclusion over the weekend. Yeah, right. According to cnn, sources familiar with Hunter Biden's legal strategy said he would have never agreed to plead guilty in September to all nine charges in the federal tax case, exposing himself to the possibility of 17 years in prison and more than $1 million in fines without the expectation of clemency. So once again, Joe Biden and the Democrats, why act like you're above doing any of this? Democratic Representative Greg Stanton of Arizona said that while he respects the President, I think he got this one wrong. This wasn't a politically motivated prosecution. Hunter committed felonies and was convicted by a jury of his pe. I agree he committed felonies and was convicted by a jury of his peers. But he got a daddy who's pretty important and that daddy isn't going to let him go down. Okay? Once again, I'm not mad Joe Biden pard this, son. I just wish Democrats would stop being cowards and stand on whatever business they are choosing to stand on. Even though this decision is very self serving. Okay? And that's the other thing. Some of you liberals are out there spiking the football, acting like this is some sort of lick back. No, knock it off, okay? This doesn't benefit anybody except the Biden family. And it's not a lick back. If you think it's a lick back, that's a false equivalency, okay? You lost the election, all right? Trump is in control of all three branches of government. Hunter Biden being pardoned, it's not the same. Okay? That's Not a lick back. Get the hell out of here. All right. I wish that Democrats in the administration also wouldn't be anonymous. Whoever told CNN that? I wonder if there was a way to be less righteous about it and more like we're not spending our time thinking about that. The same aide that I mentioned before said there were multiple ways Biden could have left the door open to a pardon rather than ruling out its possibility altogether. It's really that simple. The backlash wouldn't be so intense if you hadn't been so adamant about not pardoning him in the first place. Please give President Joe Biden the biggest he all. And also, Joe, President Biden, I have a way that you can change the narrative. Okay. You about to be out. You really want to shake things up? People are questioning your legacy. To me, your legacy will always be tied to the 86 Anti Drug Abuse Act. Yeah, the 86 Anti Drug Abuse act and the 94 crime bill. You're the proud offer of both those bills. So how about pardon everybody in federal prison for a non violent weed offense? We've been saying that for a couple of years. That would be something interesting that would get everybody talking about something else.

Yep.

And you don't care. You're about to be out and you should do that for your legacy. Because of those. The 886 Anti Drug Abuse act. Because of the mandatory minimum citizen. It's people still in prison. Yeah, because. Because of laws that you implemented. Because of the 94 crime bill. There's people still in prison because of laws you implemented. So how about pardon everybody in federal prison for a non violent weed offense? It don't make no sense to me that weed is damn near legal in most of the country, whether recreationally or medicinally. I think I said that word right.

Medicinal.

Okay. All right. But either way. I own a dispensary. Either way. But my point is God bless America.

That's right.

I don't even got to be able to pronounce it to own it. But my point is pardon everybody in federal prison for a non violent weed offense. You really want to shake things up.

I agree with you. Well, thank you for that. Donkey. Today we opening up the phone lines.

Let's open up the phone.

People's opinions. People say 5851051. You know what deterbs me though? What disturbs me but really bothers me?

It don't matter what you just said.

The turbs. You know what disturbs me?

We understand each other. We don't got to pronounce things correctly. Who cares that we on the radio, dumb as a bird.

What pisses, what deter you? Man, there's a lot of people out there. Just think about it like this. Let's think about if you had a gun charge and you got to serve three years.

Yes.

And you look at this. This white boy, right, that's going home.

It ain't even that he white.

He had prostitutes. He had allegedly cracking cocaine. Allegedly.

Good time. Come on, tell me some more about this good time this man was at.

He did his thing overseas with the Ukrainians. Yeah, right. And he had a gun charge and he going home before Christmas.

Well, guess what?

And I got a gun charge my first time and I gotta sit here for three years.

Well, your daddy should have made better choices. Your daddy should have been president. He could have got you off.

Okay, I thought the Democrats were for the people.

That's the whole point of the donkey of the day.

His people. That's effed up.

It is. Well, is it? Is it effed up or is it just business?

Well, if I'm the president, it's just business. It's just family business.

What you saying?

All right, well, let's open up the phone lines. Let's discuss 800-585-1051. It's the breakfast Club. Good morning.

Donkey of the Day is sponsored by renowned personal injury attorney Michael the Bull Lammingsoft. Don't be a donkey when you need a fighter on your side. If you're ever injured, go to michaeltebull.com, that's michelthebull.com and when you mess with the bull, you get the horns. Wake that ass up early in the morning.

[Angela Yee]

The Breakfast Club.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

The holidays are here. It's that time of year to think about, yes, gifts, but not only gifts. It's the guests, the party planning, and the true meaning of the season. Spending time with family and friends. We know it's a lot, but we're here to ease your mind and share some tips. So we'll make it through together. With the season getting underway, now is the time to shop early for amazing holiday deals at Amazon. Amazon has a wide selection for all your holiday needs. I don't care if you want to get your people's laptops, gaming screens, whatever it is they need. Amazon got it. And please remember, you can find the best holiday gifts on Amazon. Shop great deals now on Amazon and visit Amazon.com black effect podcast for my favorite picks.

[Angela Yee]

You could sit there and listen to ads, or you could take a moment to have a Diet Coke break. First, grab a chilled Diet Coke because if you want it to be perfect, it needs to be crispy. Next, get a big cup of ice because everyone knows Diet Coke is best served swimming in ice. Then sip it slowly, feel that burn and enjoy your break for as long as possible. When you need a break, don't forget to grab an ice cold Diet Coke and take a Diet Coke break.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

The holidays are in full swing at Home Depot. If you want to make the most of your time with your family, they have everything you need like the KitchenAid Artisan Serious Stand Mixer with 10 speeds and a 5 quart bowl that can whip up a 9, yes, 9 dozen cookie at once. That helps me out. You know, I got six kids so I need more than nine cookies, but plenty for everyone, even the big guy. Get a gift. The whole family can gather around. Enjoy up to 40% off select furniture, decor and kitchen essentials at the Home Depot.

[Unknown News Anchor]

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[DJ Envy]

Spending time with your loved ones and creating magical memories that will last a lifetime. So whether it's family and friends you haven't seen in a while, or those who you see all the time, share holiday magic this season with an ice cold Coca Cola. Copyright 2024 the Coca Cola Company.