DONKEY: Charlamagne Gives ABC Donkey Of The Day

Summary

---

The Breakfast Club: Donkey of the Day – Charlamagne Gives ABC Donkey Of The Day

Release Date: September 18, 2025
Featuring: Charlamagne Tha God

---

Overview

In this episode, Charlamagne Tha God awards “Donkey of the Day” to ABC for suspending Jimmy Kimmel Live indefinitely. The suspension comes amid controversy over Kimmel’s comments about the murder of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, as well as political pressure from the FCC. Charlamagne delivers a scathing critique of the hypocrisy displayed by media corporations, political figures, and the selective application of "cancel culture."

---

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Jimmy Kimmel's Suspension and ABC’s Response

• ABC suspended Jimmy Kimmel Live indefinitely after alleged "backlash" to his comments about Charlie Kirk’s murder.
• The move followed reported threats from FCC Chairman Brendan Carr and pressure from Nexstar Media, which is currently seeking approval for a merger with Tegna.
• The official line from ABC: "Jimmy Kimmel Live will be preempted indefinitely." (03:17)

2. Charlamagne Critiques Double Standards and Political Hypocrisy

• Charlamagne draws attention to the perceived double standard:

  “What’s the difference between Jimmy Kimmel saying the shooter was MAGA and all those folks on the right assuming the killer... was a raging left lunatic?... It’s the same exact energy and exactly why partisan politics have no place in an institution like the FCC.” [03:59]

• He highlights how conservative voices often escape repercussions for similar rhetoric, contrasting it with ABC's swift action against Kimmel.

3. FCC Chairman’s Threats and Corporate Self-Interest

• FCC Chair Brendan Carr publicly threatened regulatory action against ABC affiliates, stating:

  "We can do this the easy way or the hard way... these companies can find ways to change conduct... or there’s going to be additional work for the FCC ahead." [05:23]

• Charlamagne theorizes that ABC's actions are driven by their desire to secure FCC approval for Nexstar’s $6.2B merger.

4. Weaponization of Tragedy for Political Gain

• Charlamagne questions the sincerity of those claiming to defend Charlie Kirk, suggesting instead:

  “You’re using the death of Charlie Kirk to push your own political agendas. It’s actually disgusting.” [05:53]

• He calls out both sides for their hypocrisy in free speech and cancel culture discussions.

5. Reflections on Gun Violence and Political Discourse

• Charlamagne insists America needs a serious conversation about gun violence in the wake of Charlie Kirk’s death:

  "Charlie Kirk said... ‘A certain amount of gun deaths are worth it to have the right to bear arms.’ I ask... Is it worth it when the gun death is you? ... If that’s not a sign from a higher power... then I don’t know what is." [06:56]

6. Media Bowing to Authoritarian Pressure

• He criticizes media networks for giving in to political and regulatory threats:

  “I'm convinced America just wants a dictatorship, period.” [08:48]

• Concludes with a call for Remy Ma to award ABC the “biggest hee haw,” followed by the show’s signature insult.

---

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Hypocrisy and Cancel Culture:

  “When did y’ all become such snowflakes?... You were the anti cancel culture party, the party of free speech, okay? You hated the woke left, and now y’ all the party that needs some sleep.” [07:45]

• On Free Speech and Manipulation:

  “People who aren’t proponents of free speech don’t want a dialogue. They want a dictatorship of their own ideas.” [08:39]

• On Political Exhaustion:

  “…Most of us are in the exhausted majority. Okay, we tired. Okay, we are tired of the partisan politics because while Dems and Republicans... do petty little things like this to each other, the people suffer…” [07:20]

• On ABC’s Motives:

  “Now you suspending Jimmy Kimmel indefinitely... when you know the real reason you suspended him is because you need the FCC to approve this merger…” [08:12]

---

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [02:25] — Introduction of Donkey of the Day; ABC’s decision to suspend Jimmy Kimmel Live
• [02:54] — CBS News clip explaining the situation and regulatory threats
• [03:59] — Charlamagne’s analysis of political double standards
• [05:23] — FCC Chairman Brendan Carr’s remarks about licenses and enforcement
• [05:53] — Charlamagne critiques use of the tragedy for political gain; calls to address gun violence honestly
• [07:20] — Commentary on exhaustion with political gamesmanship
• [08:12] — Charge against ABC’s real motives tied to the merger
• [08:48] — Summary judgment and “biggest hee haw” for ABC

---

Tone & Style

Charlamagne maintains his signature sharp, witty, and candid tone throughout—using humor and pointed critiques to underscore the seriousness of media manipulation and political hypocrisy. He’s passionate, unfiltered, and encourages listeners to look beyond partisan distractions toward deeper societal issues.

---

Summary

Charlamagne uses his "Donkey of the Day" segment to condemn ABC for its reaction to political pressure, arguing it’s a glaring example of corporate cowardice and the growing threat to genuine discourse. By weaving in the larger context of the FCC’s power and America’s deeply entrenched partisan divides, the episode serves as both cultural critique and a wake-up call for more honest, courageous conversations about free speech and gun violence.

Transcript

[iHeart Podcast Announcer]

This is an iHeart podcast.

[Marcus Grant]

From producer Jordan Peele. The horror movie of the season is him, which asks the question, what are you willing to sacrifice for greatness? Find out September 19th when him hits theaters starring Marlon Wayans in a role of a lifetime as the greatest football player of all time, AKA the Goat. Tariq Withers also stars as his up and coming protege. Directed by Justin Tippen and produced by Monkey Paw Productions. Never Meet yout Idols hymn hits theaters September 19th.

[Matt Rogers]

Hey everybody. This is Matt Rogers and Dawen Yang. And you're never gonna guess who's our guest on Las Culturistas.

[Michael F. Florio]

It is Elle Woods. Tracy Flick herself, Reese Witherspoon. Reese, we must go on a girls trip.

[iHeart Podcast Announcer]

I have to have a tequila.

[Michael F. Florio]

We must.

[News Reporter]

Whoever said orange is the new pink?

[Michael F. Florio]

Seriously distur.

[Matt Rogers]

Listen to Las culturistas on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Jorge Ramos]

I'm Jorge Ramos.

[Paola Ramos]

And I'm Paula Ramos.

[Jorge Ramos]

Together we're launching the Moment, a new podcast about what it means to live through a time as uncertain as this one.

[Paola Ramos]

We sit down with politicians, artists and activists to bring you depth and analysis from a unique Latino perspective.

[Jorge Ramos]

The Moment is a space for the conversations we've been having as father and daughter for years.

[Paola Ramos]

Listen to the Moment with Jorge Ramos and Paola ramos on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

[iHeart Podcast Announcer]

Short on time, but big on true crime. On a recent episode of the podcast Hunting for Answers, I highlighted the story of 19 year old Lachey Dungey. But she never knocked on that door. She never made it inside. And that text message would be the last time anyone would ever hear from her. Listen to Hunting for Answers from the Black Effect Podcast Network on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Michael F. Florio]

It's time for Donkey of the Day. Donkeys of the Day.

[iHeart Podcast Announcer]

I'm a Democrat, so being Donkey of.

[Michael F. Florio]

The Day is a little bit of a mixed way. So like a donkey Donkey of the Day record club. Now, I've been called a lot in my 20, 23 years, but donkey of.

[News Reporter]

The Day is a new one.

[Michael F. Florio]

Yes, Donkey of the day for Thursday, September 18th goes to ABC. Now, if you haven't heard, ABC announced that is pulling Jimmy Kimmel live off air indefinitely. This comes after threats from the chairman of the FCC to the stations that carry the show and supposed backlash to comments Jimmy Kimmel made this week about the murder of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. Now I'm going to Be honest with you, I didn't even hear anything about these comments until yesterday when they suspended Jimmy Kimmel indefinitely. Can we go to CBS News for the report, please?

[News Reporter]

ABC have suspended Jimmy Kimmel's late night show indefinitely over comments that he made on his show Monday night about Charlie Kirk's death.

[Matt Rogers]

Hit some new lows over the weekend with the MAGA gang desperately trying to characterize this kid who murdered Charlie Kirk as anything other than one of them and doing everything they can to score political points from it.

[News Reporter]

The suspension comes after nexstar announced that its ABC affiliates would preempt Jimmy Kimmel Live. Nexstar called the cops offensive and insensitive at a critical time in our national political discourse. A spokesperson for ABC said, quote, jimmy Kimmel Live will be preempted indefinitely. Today, Federal Communications Commission Chair Brendan Carr blasted Kimmel's remarks and said the FCC has, quote, remedies it could look at. Nexstar currently has a major merger before the Trump administration for its proposed acquisition of Tegna. Jimmy Kimmel has not commented.

[Michael F. Florio]

Now, if I'm understanding this right, people are upset because he's implying that the shooter was maga. Understandable. I haven't seen anywhere where the guy identifies as maga, but to me that should be neither here nor there. What's the difference between Jimmy Kimmel saying the shooter was MAGA and all those folks on the right assuming the killer, Tyler Robinson, was a raging left lunatic? Okay, it's the same exact energy and exactly why partisan politics have no place in an institution like the fcc. Because it was. If someone on the right gets on Fox News or any of these conservative platforms and blames the left before the shooter is even caught, the FCC says nothing. Okay? They were talking heads on all the news platforms blaming the left and nobody said anything. But Jimmy Kimmel comes out, makes the statement he makes about the murderer being one of them, and I put one of them in air quotes and ABC suspends him. ABC has taken out a page of Paramount's book and just kissing the ring. Okay, I know nexstar Media Group owns a bunch of ABC affiliates and they are in the middle of a 6.2 billion dollar merger with media company Tegna. And they will need the FCC's approval of the merger. It's the same exact play as Sky Sky Dancing Paramount. I know all of this is going on, but could you at least try to make it a little less obvious? I mean, FCC Chairman Brendan Carr was on Benny Johnson's podcast and he literally threatened federal action against ABC affiliates Who carried the show.

[Matt Rogers]

Listen, they have a license granted by us at the fcc, and that comes with it, an obligation to operate in the public interest. And we can get into some ways that we've been trying to reinvigorate the public interest and some changes that we've seen. But frankly, when you see stuff like this, I mean, look, we can do this the easy way or the hard way. These companies can find ways to change conduct, to take action, frankly, on Kimmel, or there's going to be additional work for the FCC ahead.

[Michael F. Florio]

You know, for an administration that doesn't like being labeled authoritarian, they damn sure do a lot of authoritarian things. Okay, serious question. Y' all are saying you're doing this in defense of Charlie Kirk. Do you really believe Charlie Kirk, who went on college campuses all the time debating people of all walks of life, that was his thing to do. You really believe he would support you canceling people for exercising their free speech? Of course he wouldn't. But you all aren't doing this because you're supporting Charlie Kirk. You are using the death of Charlie Kirk to push your own political agendas. It's actually disgusting. Okay, if you cared about Charlie Kirk for real, and you were the Christians you claim to be, and I put Christians in air quotes, too, okay, if you were the Christians you claim to be, you would be looking at the signs God is trying to show you. And the signs God is trying to show you is having real discussions about gun violence, real discussions about common sense gun reform in this country. I said this last week, and I will say it again. I am 2A all day, but I'm also for common sense gun reform. Charlie Kirk said, these are his words. A certain amount of gun deaths are worth it to have the right to bear arms. I ask a simple question in the name of the debate Charlie Kirk championed. Is it worth it when the gun death is you? Is it worth it when the gun death is someone you love? Maga, conservatives, why are you avoiding that conversation? Why are you avoiding that debate? Okay, Charlie Kirk got murdered while he was discussing gun violence. If that's not a sign from a higher power that maybe we should be having a conversation about gun violence and common sense gun reform, then I don't know what is. Okay, maga, I am disappointed in you. Okay? When did y' all become such snowflakes? All right, you were the anti cancel culture party, the party of free speech, okay? You hated the woke left, and now y' all the party that needs some sleep. Okay? How do you not recognize your own Hypocrisy in this situation. Salute to my guy, Andrew Schultz. He posted something this morning I totally agree with. He said, the left will say, fascism is wrong unless you kill one of our political opponents. Then we'll celebrate it. The right will say, cancel culture is wrong unless you cancel the shows of our political opponents. Then we'll celebrate it. That is absolutely accurate of where we are as a country. And as my guy Ted Ryan used to always say, you, you have a right, you have a left, but most of us are in the exhausted majority. Okay, we tired. Okay, we are tired of the partisan politics because while Dems and Republicans in positions of power in government do petty little things like this to each other, the people suffer in networks like abc. I don't understand how you expect to get taken serious when you bend the knee to an authoritarian strategy. You already paid Trump 15 million because of the defamation suit he filed against George Stephenopoulos. Why you pronounce the name stuff? You know who I'm talking about. You know who I'm talking about. Okay, Snuffleupagus. Now you suspending Jimmy Kimmel indefinitely because he made comments about Charlie Kirk when you know the real reason you suspended him is because you need the FCC to approve this merger between NextStar Media Group and Tegna. Listen, man, people who aren't proponents of free speech don't want a dialogue. They want a dictatorship of their own ideas. But the way I'm watching all these media companies and institutions bow down to the Trump administration, I'm convinced America just wants a dictatorship, period. Please let Remy Ma give ABC the biggest hee haw. Hee haw. Hee haw. You stupid motherf. Are you dumb? Donkey of the Day is sponsored by renowned personal injury attorney Michael the Bull Laminsoft. 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 MichaeltheBoull dot com and when you mess with the bull, you get the horns. Every day I wake up. Wake your ass up. The Breakfast Club. Y' all finish or y' all done?

[Matt Rogers]

Hey, everybody, this is Matt Rogers and Dawen Yang. And you're never gonna guess who's our guest on Las Culturistas.

[Michael F. Florio]

It is Elle Woods.

[iHeart Podcast Announcer]

T.R.

[Michael F. Florio]

Herself, Reese Witherspoon. Reese, we must go on a girls trip.

[iHeart Podcast Announcer]

I have to have a tequila.

[Michael F. Florio]

We must. Whoever said orange is the new pink seriously disturbs.

[Matt Rogers]

Listen to Las culturistas on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Jorge Ramos]

I'm Jorge Ramos.

[Paola Ramos]

And I'm Paola Ramos.

[Jorge Ramos]

Together we're launching the Moment, a new podcast about what it means to live through a time as uncertain as this one.

[Paola Ramos]

We sit down with politicians, artists and activists to bring you depth and analysis from a unique Latino perspective.

[Jorge Ramos]

The Moment is a space for the conversations we've been having as father and daughter for years.

[Paola Ramos]

Listen to the Moment with Jorge Ramos and Paola ramos on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.

[iHeart Podcast Announcer]

Short on time, but big on true crime. On a recent episode of the podcast Hunting for Answers, I highlighted the story of 19 year old Lachey Dungey. But she never knocked on that door. She never made it inside, and that text message would be the last time anyone would ever hear from her. Listen to Hunting for Answers from the Black Effect Podcast Network on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Michael F. Florio]

I'm Marcus Grant.

[Matt Rogers]

And I'm Michael F. Florio and together.

[Marcus Grant]

We host the NFL Fantas Football Podcast.

[Michael F. Florio]

Ready to dominate your fantasy league this season?

[Marcus Grant]

Then you need the NFL Fantasy Football Podcast, your ultimate source for player news, draft tips and winning strategies.

[Michael F. Florio]

Whether you're a rookie manager or a.

[Marcus Grant]

Fantasy vet, we've got the insight to help you crush your opponents.

[Michael F. Florio]

Listen to the NFL Fantasy Football podcast on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Matt Rogers]

Toyota the official automotive partner of the NFL. Visit toyota.com NFL now to learn more.

[iHeart Podcast Announcer]

This is an iHeart podcast.