The Breakfast Club – “Donkey of the Day: Hilary Swank Apologizes For Lashing Out Over Thinking A Mother Took Photos Of Her”

Date: December 11, 2025
Hosts: Charlamagne Tha God, DJ Envy, Jess Hilarious (DJ Envy and Jess do not appear in core segment)
Highlighted Segment: Donkey of the Day – Hilary Swank

Episode Overview

In this episode, Charlamagne Tha God delivers the "Donkey of the Day" segment, focusing on actress Hilary Swank’s recent incident at LAX airport. Swank confronted a mother, Jada Buffoose, mistakenly believing she’d been photographed without her permission. The segment explores celebrity paranoia, the importance of empathy, and the hazards of assuming the worst of others in public. There’s playful banter about main character syndrome, with real-world humility lessons and memorable anecdotes from the hosts.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Incident at LAX ([03:25] – [07:54])

• Who: Hilary Swank (Oscar-winning actress), Jada Buffoose (mother of two terminally ill children)
• What Happened: While at LAX for her sons’ Make-a-Wish Disneyland trip, Jada, distractedly searching for her family, took out her phone. Swank assumed she was being photographed, confronted Jada, and made a sharp remark.
• Jada’s Social Media Post: Jada explained she was not photographing Swank but looking for her kids, emphasizing her stress and disappointment at being berated during an emotionally intense moment.

"You got what you needed. Get what you came for. Enjoy that picture."
– Hilary Swank to Jada Buffoose, as recounted by Charlamagne [03:44]

• Charlamagne’s Reflection: Swank's mistaken outrage highlights the risks of assuming everyone is focused on celebrities.

“Just because somebody noticed you, ma’am, and pulled out a phone doesn’t mean they were pulling out a phone to take a picture of you... phones do other things than take pictures.”
– Charlamagne Tha God [05:34]

2. Social Media Dynamics & The “Main Character” Complex ([05:59] – [07:54])

• Everyone Is Starring In Their Own Life: Charlamagne draws an analogy to reality TV, noting everyone has their own “show” where occasional celebrity run-ins become episodes.
• The Double Edge of Fame: Swank is reminded that strangers have complex lives and aren't necessarily focused on her.

“No matter how famous you are... a little patience and empathy go a lot further than snapping at a stressed stranger, because that stressed stranger is just as stressed as you are.” – Charlamagne Tha God [07:21]

3. Hilary Swank’s Reconsideration and Apology ([06:40] – [07:20])

• Swank Reached Out: After realizing her mistake, Hilary Swank apologized to Jada on Instagram, explaining that she was worried about her own children’s privacy.
• Reasonable Caution, Poor Delivery: Charlamagne empathizes with celebrities' concerns but argues that not everyone deserves suspicion.

4. Lesson On Empathy and Perspective ([06:57] – [07:54])

• Public Encounters Are Complex: Everyone is dealing with their own stressors, so it’s important to be considerate before jumping to conclusions.
• Summation:

“You're not always the main character, even if you won Oscars for being the main character.”
– Charlamagne Tha God [07:54]

Memorable Moments & Notable Quotes

Charlamagne’s Key Statements

• About Making Assumptions:

“Phones do other things than take pictures. People pull out phones to make calls… check the temperature. I understand, Hilary, you’re Hollywood, OK, won a couple of Oscars. But... life is about interconnectedness, all right? Not just you being the main character.”
– Charlamagne Tha God [05:34]

• On Taking a Breath:

"Take a deep breath sometime before you assume the worst, because everybody not thinking about you."
– Charlamagne Tha God [07:41]

Common’s Relatable Airport Anecdote ([07:58] – [09:12])

• Common admits to similar “main character” thinking: He recounts wrongly believing a woman wanted to take a selfie with him, when she just needed directions.

“I was like, look, man, you know, I don't want no pictures... She was like, do you know where the... [baggage claim is]? I was like, damn, I need to humble myself real bad, yo.”
– Common [08:03 & 08:24]

• Charlamagne sums it up:

"Ain't nobody thinking about you, right?"
– Charlamagne Tha God [08:22]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [03:25] – Introduction to Donkey of the Day and incident background
• [03:44] – The exchange between Hilary Swank and Jada Buffoose, as told via Jada’s tweet
• [05:34] – Phones are not just for taking photos commentary
• [06:40] – Hilary Swank’s apology detailed
• [07:21] – Empathy over assumptions lesson
• [07:54] – “You’re not always the main character” punchline
• [07:58] – Common’s related airport story and humility
• [09:01] – “You went from a main character to an extra real quick” banter

Tone and Style

Charlamagne Tha God delivers the segment with his trademark blend of humor, cultural commentary, and directness. Common’s anecdote further grounds the conversation in humility and self-awareness, offering listeners a relatable moment of self-correction.

Summary Takeaways

• Even the most famous among us aren’t the center of everyone’s attention; humility and empathy go a long way.
• Misunderstandings can happen anywhere—especially in public. It’s best to approach situations with patience before assuming ill intent.
• Everyone, no matter their status, faces their own stresses; a little kindness can help ease tense moments.
• Sometimes, as Charlamagne quips, “You’re not always the main character, even if you won Oscars for being the main character.”