Podcast Summary

Podcast: The Breakfast Club
Episode: DONKEY: Cinnabon Worker Fired For Racist Outburst Gets Over $76K In Fundraising Support
Date: December 8, 2025
Hosts: DJ Envy, Jess Hilarious, Charlamagne Tha God

Episode Overview

This episode’s main focus is the “Donkey of the Day” segment, where Charlamagne Tha God addresses a viral incident involving Crystal Willsie, a Cinnabon employee in Wisconsin who was fired after a racist tirade against Somali customers. The team discusses the implications of the outburst, the response from Cinnabon, broader issues of racism and leadership, and the distressing trend of public support and fundraising for people caught in such acts.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Incident Recap and Cinnabon’s Response

• Charlamagne gives “Donkey of the Day” to Crystal Willsie for her racist outburst, emphasizing that it’s unequivocally rooted in hate:
  • Charlamagne (03:18): “Now, Crystal is a racist, okay? This isn’t hyperbole. This isn’t something I feel. This is a fact based on her own words.”
• The incident involved derogatory remarks directed at Somali customers, specifically mocking a woman's hijab, which led the victim to record the exchange.
• Cinnabon fired Crystal immediately and publicly condemned the act:
  • Broadcasted Cinnabon’s PR statement denouncing the employee’s behavior and reinforcing their values of inclusion and respect.

2. Linking Public Attitudes to Leadership & National Discourse

• Charlamagne draws a direct line between hateful actions by individuals and the tone set by national leaders, referencing Donald Trump's inflammatory remarks about Somali immigrants:
  • Charlamagne (06:08): “This is why leadership matters, because the leader's words shape a team's direction, okay? A leader's words set culture... Donald Trump with words like that sets the standard.”
• Plays audio clips of Trump denigrating Somali immigrants, arguing these statements normalize open hostility and embolden racism.

3. Racist Outburst: Direct Audio & Reaction

• Airs footage from the viral TikTok:
  • Cinnabon Worker (Crystal) (07:22): “That’s — I am racist.”
  • Victims confront her, exchange gets more heated and abusive.
• Panel reacts with disgust at Crystal’s lack of remorse and overt racism:
  • Charlamagne: “Words have consequences. Actions have consequences… do you really want to be a part of a tribe called racist?”

4. Public Support for Problematic Behavior

• Discussion of the GoFundMe established for Crystal Willsie, which raised over $76,000 in support, highlighting a pattern of financial incentives for overt racism.
• Charlamagne criticizes this aspect of American culture:
  • Charlamagne (08:07): “There are a lot of racists in this country who reward this type of carrying on. But, Crystal, I want you to know that you are not the victim here, okay?”

5. Consequences and Social Shaming

• Emphasis on how racist acts become permanent stains on reputations, affecting future employment and social standing:
  • Charlamagne: “Videos like this haunt you forever. Everybody can find a tribe online for the stupidest things, for the most evil things.”
• The hosts call for public accountability and mock the notion of victimhood among those publicly exposed for such behavior.

6. Humorous Segues & Cultural Commentary

• The team injects humor around pronunciation of “Cinnabon,” and playfully banter about buns and counter violence (“...you ever just want to take the back of somebody head and just slam it on the counter…?” (09:41)).
• “Please let Chelsea Handler give Crystal Wilsey the biggest hee haw... That is way too much, Dan Mayonnaise. You know what Kathy Griffin got to say? … Oh, okay. Chris Rock you got something to say? Cracker ass cracker.” (08:50–09:20)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• 03:18 | Charlamagne: “Now, Crystal is a racist, okay? This isn’t hyperbole. This isn’t something I feel. This is a fact based on her own words.”
• 06:08 | Charlamagne: “This is why leadership matters, because the leader's words shape a team's direction, okay? A leader's words set culture...”
• 07:22 | Crystal (Cinnabon worker, on video): “That’s — I am racist.”
• 08:07 | Charlamagne: “There are a lot of racists in this country who reward this type of carrying on. But, Crystal, I want you to know that you are not the victim here, okay?”
• 08:50 | Charlamagne: “Please let Chelsea Handler give Crystal Wilsey the biggest hee haw.”
• 09:17 | Charlamagne (quoting Chris Rock): “Cracker ass cracker.”
• 09:41 | Jess Hilarious: “You ever just want to take the back of somebody head and just slam it on the counter…?”

Timestamps for Major Segments

• 03:13 — Donkey of the Day segment begins (Crystal Willsie identified)
• 04:17 — Detailed description of the Cinnabon product and segue into the racist incident
• 06:08 — Commentary on the relationship between Trump’s rhetoric and racist acts
• 07:22 — Audio from the viral racist outburst
• 07:51 — Cinnabon’s condemnation and Crystal’s GoFundMe backlash
• 08:50 — “Hee haw” sound effects and comedic reactions

Episode Takeaways

• The Breakfast Club uses the Donkey of the Day to spotlight and unequivocally condemn public displays of racism, exploring both the personal consequences for offenders and the wider cultural forces that enable them.
• The hosts connect individual acts of hate to systemic issues and political rhetoric, stressing the power of leadership and collective social standards.
• The surprising financial support for the fired employee becomes a springboard to critique a segment of the American public that incentivizes bigotry.
• Through candid, often humorous conversation, the team calls for sustained accountability and warns of the permanent impact of viral shame.