DONKEY: Hilary Swank Apologizes For Lashing Out Over Thinking A Mother Took Photos Of Her

Summary

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.”

Transcript

[Podcast Host]

This is an iHeart podcast. Guaranteed Human.

[Michael F. Florio]

What a matchup we got, y'.

[Podcast Host]

All.

[Michael F. Florio]

This is that classic HBCU vibe. Non stop action. The band is rockin and the crowd lit. Chance echo drum beat everybody showing that school pride. A game like this, yeah, it calls for an ice cold Coca Cola. Ah, crisp and refreshing. That's a game changer right there.

Yeah, that taste always hits the right note. Just like the band at halftime. And just like that, we're back at it. Passionate fans, school colors everywhere and an ice cold Coca Cola. That's a winning combo. No matter the sport, no matter the yard. Everybody knows fan work is thirsty work. So grab a Coca Cola and keep that HBCU pride going.

[IBM Advertiser]

So let me get this straight. Your company has data here, there and everywhere, but your AI can't use the data because it's here, there and everywhere? Seems like something's missing. Every business has unique data. IBM helps your AI access your data wherever it lives. To change how you do business. Let's create smarter business.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

IBM.

[Colgate Advertiser]

Si usas la frase Persona precabida vale pordos. The Colgate Total Active Prevention system is for you. Con una pasta dental reformulada. Un sepillo derintes innovador y un en huage bucal Antibacterial.

In just six weeks starting from week one. Compared to a non antibacterial fluoride toothpaste and flat trimmed toothbrush. Helping you prevent oral health problems like cavities and gingivitis before they start. Compralo en shop. Punto Colgate, punto com diagonal toro. And be dentist ready.

[Podcast Host]

Making the holidays magical for everyone on your list. It's no small feat, but with TJ Maxx, your magic multiplies. With quality finds arriving daily through Christmas Eve. You'll save on luxe cashmere, the latest tech toys and more. So you can check off every name on your list and treat yourself to a holiday look that'll turn heads. Now you know where to go to make all that holiday magic. It's TJ Maxx. Of course, it's shaping up to be a very magical holiday.

[Amazon Theater Narrator]

Amazon five Star Theater presents real customer reviews performed by Ed Helms. Tonight's review, Tactical jacket. I was living a simple life. Didn't get out much. Then I bought this jacket and everything changed. Women came flocking to me from lands domestic and foreign. On the 245 day sailboat voyage home, I was attacked by buy a shark. I knew it was the jacket he was after giving up the jacket in exchange for my life. 5 stars Amazon, Customer 69. Shop the perfect gift this holiday on Amazon.

[Atlanta Podcast Narrator]

Trying to be a fake ass.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Charlamagne. Some donkey today's just saw himself. I've been watching Charlamagne. I was ready for you.

I never heard old donkey the other day.

[Michael F. Florio]

What is it?

[Common]

Common donkey.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Say it again. Charlemagne.

[Common]

I'm a donkey?

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Yes, you are. Adults.

Everything that Charlemagne is saying is true.

[IBM Advertiser]

Yes.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Donkey. Today for Thursday, December 11, goes the actress Hillary Swank. You know Hillary Swank?

[Podcast Host]

Yes.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Two time Oscar winner. She won for Boys Don't Cry and Million Dollar Baby. Well, she recently had to apologize because she snapped, lashed out, berated, scolded. What's some other words for when a white woman is in Karen mold and she's upset with you? Lambasted. Okay. Lambasted A mother. All right, Now, I was looking at this story on page six, and it was a mother named Jada Buffoose, I think is how you pronounce her last name. And Jada was taking her two terminally ill sons. Okay? She was. She has two terminally ill sons, Mason, 7, and Jack, 4. And she was taking them to Disneyland for a Make a Wish trip. Okay, I repeat, Jada was taking her two terminally ill sons to Disneyland for a Make a Wish trip. And she was at LAX at baggage claim, and she was walking next to Hillary Swank. Now, Jada said she did a double take on her because, duh, it's Hillary Swank. And you know, she's a fan of her movies and stuff. Jada said she did a double take and, you know, she. She took her phone out because she got distracted and was trying to find her Make a Wish kids and her husband. She said I just looked like, you know, I was trying to call my husband. And then this happened. Let me read Jada's tweet. Last Monday at lax, I was trying to find my son during his Make a Wish trip to Disney when Hilary Swank turned around and snapped at me. You got what you needed. Get what you came for. Enjoy that picture. Jada says, ma', am, I wasn't taking a picture of you. I was trying to find my two terminally ill boys at baggage claim. But thanks for poking at a stressed mom on her Kids Make a Wish trip. Iconic timing because she lived here in Spokane long time ago. So random. Now, let the record show Jada needed to let her social media followers know she met Hillary Swank. Okay? Please remember that in this thing called life, everyone got their own reality show going, and we all could be guest stars or extras at Any moment. All right? Jada was sharing space with Hillary. And because of Hillary and the way she acted, Hillary became a guest star in Jada's show. So, no. So now Jada got content. Okay, Bonten, if she's a blood, Hillary said to Jada, you got what you needed. Get what you came for. Enjoy that picture. And then Jada said, Hillary stormed off a little bit. Well, guess what? Hillary, as you found, found out, Jada wasn't really thinking about you like that. Okay, yes, she did a double take, but she had her own life going on. She got two terminally ill kids. She's on a make a wish trip. 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. Okay, I know we may not realize this in 2025, but phones do other things than take pictures. People pull out phones to make calls, they pull out phones to text. They pull out phones to check the temperature. I understand, Hillary, you're a Hollyw are okay, won a couple of Oscars. But understand, when in a space like the airport, life is about interconnectedness, all right? Not just you being the main character, but the Hillary's credit. She clearly felt stupid, and she reached out to Jada via Instagram to apologize and explain she was worried about her twin toddlers being photographed. Understandable. Understandable. But Hillary Swank. You're Hillary Swank. If you're in public and don't want you and your family to be seen, then you have to take steps to make that okay. Take the proper precautions. Doesn't mean people have the right to overstep their boundaries, because folks nowadays will just walk up with the cameras out, you know, ready to take a picture, video already recording. So I understand you being on guard, okay? Those folks actually deserve to be snapped at. But you can't just assume because a person looks at you and then pulls their phone out that they are looking to take a picture of you or with you. Okay, listen, no matter how famous you are, and this isn't even a lesson strictly for famous folks, because I don't even know what being famous means in this era. But no matter how famous you are, a little patience and empathy go a lot further than snapping at a stressed stranger, because that stress stranger is just as stressed as you are. That person is looking for their kids, and you worried about your kids, too, okay? You don't know what that person is dealing with, just like she don't know what you dealing with. So just take a Deep breath sometime before you assume the worst, because everybody not thinking about you. Please give Hillary Swank the sweet sounds of the Hamiltones.

You're not always the main character, even if you won Oscars for being the main character.

[Common]

Hey, yo, I remember I was in the airport, right? And I did that dumbish.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Before you.

[Common]

I was in the airport. I was. I was, however, edible, and I was just. I would have did this sober, but it was this lady, little lady walked up to me or whatever, and she had had her phone out, and I was like, look, man, my. You know, I don't want no pictures. I'm like. She was like, no, do you know where the. And she was trying to get me to ask her, like, you see that?

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Ain't nobody thinking about you, right?

[Common]

And I was like, damn, I need to humble myself real bad, yo. That's the first thing I thought. I was like, yo, I'm good. I don't want no pictures. I'm. She's like, do you know where the baggage claim? Yeah, if you just go down.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Was this. Was this before you was Mexican? After you became Mexican by marriage?

[Common]

No, this was the other day. Shut up.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Okay. He was with your fan. Was you with your Mexican family?

[Common]

It wasn't a Mexican lady. I think she was like Middle Eastern or something. I don't know why that accent was Spanish, but, yeah, it was like an Indian lady. And I didn't know. I just thought she was regular black when she walked up, and I didn't expect for that. Her to sound like that. And she was. She thought I worked there, and she was asking me where.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Where it was going to. You went from a main character to an extra real. But I don't want no pictures. She thought you worked.

[Common]

No, she said, I thought she was regular black.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Good for you. Good for you. And Hillary Swank.

[Common]

I know, yo. I know. I'm sorry, Hillary. I do that too.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Yo, now we got. Just fix my mess. Coming up 1-800-585-1051. Call up here right now. Remember, she's not an expert of anything, but she has some experiences and she can help you with some stuff. Okay?

[Common]

That is crazy.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

It's the world's most dangerous morning show. The Breakfast Club Donkey of the Day is sponsored by renowned personal injury attorney Michael the Bull. Lamentsoft. 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 Michael the Bull do. And when you mess with the bull, you get the horns you know what.

[iHeartRadio Advertiser]

Your customers are doing right this second? The exact same thing. You are listening to me. Which, let's be honest, is kind of flattering. But my point is, ads on iHeartRadio actually get heard. In the car, at the gym, on the couch, while people are walking their dogs.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Who's a good boy? Who's a good boy? You're a good boy.

[Amazon Theater Narrator]

That's right, dude.

[Atlanta Podcast Narrator]

You're a good.

[iHeartRadio Advertiser]

So why not make the next ad about you? Get started today. Call 844-844-IHEART or go to iheartadvertising.com that's 844-844-I or iheartadvertising.com Atlanta is a spirit.

[Atlanta Podcast Narrator]

It's not just a city. It's where crunk was born. In a club in the West End, a 4World Star. It was 55 9, where preachers go viral and students at the HBCU turned heartbreak into resurrection. Where dreamers brought Hollywood to the south and hustlers bring their visions to create black wealth.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Nobody's rushing into relationships with you.

[Atlanta Podcast Narrator]

I'm big rude. Listen to Atlanta ears on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast.

[Podcast Host]

I knew it was a bomb the second that it exploded. I felt it rip through me.

[Amazon Theater Narrator]

In season two of Rip Current, we ask who tried to kill Judy Berry and why they were climbing trees and they were sabotaging logging equipment in the woods.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

She received death threats before the bombing. She received more threats after the bombing. I think that this is a deliberate attempt to sabotage our movements.

[Amazon Theater Narrator]

Episodes of Rip Current Season 2 are available now. Listen on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

I'm Marcus Grant.

[Michael F. Florio]

And I'm Michael F. Florio, and together we host the NFL Fantasy Football Podcast.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Ready to dominate your fantasy league this season?

[Michael F. Florio]

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

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Whether you're a rookie manager or a.

[Michael F. Florio]

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

[Charlamagne Tha God]

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

[Little Dude Wipes Advertiser]

It's finally happened. Your kid could be part of the first generation to never suffer the rough touch of toilet paper on their tender tush. All thanks to new flushable Little Dude Wipes. Available in bubble bum scent or fragrance free. Because we know little butts can make a big mess. But with Little Dude Wipes, you can keep your kids keister clean without the burn and debris toilet paper can leave behind on their behinds. Experience the Confident clean of Little Dude Wipes. Available exclusively at Walmart nationwide.

[Podcast Host]

This is an I heart podcast. Guaranteed human.