DONKEY: Kristi Noem Blames Alex Pretti In Fatal ICE Shooting

Summary

Podcast Summary: The Breakfast Club

Episode Title: DONKEY: Kristi Noem Blames Alex Pretti In Fatal ICE Shooting
Release Date: January 26, 2026
Hosts: DJ Envy, Jess Hilarious, Charlamagne Tha God
Podcast: The Breakfast Club (iHeartPodcasts)

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Episode Overview

In this episode, Charlamagne Tha God delivers the "Donkey of the Day" to South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem for her public comments blaming Alex Preddy, an ICU nurse, after his fatal shooting by ICE agents during a protest in Minneapolis. The hosts dissect Noem’s narrative, contrast it with video evidence and eyewitness accounts, and discuss the larger implications for law enforcement accountability, constitutional rights, and the manipulation of reality by authoritarian-leaning authorities.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Context of the Shooting – Who Was Alex Preddy?

• Alex Preddy, a 37-year-old ICU nurse and US citizen, was fatally shot by ICE agents in Minneapolis while attempting to assist a woman being pushed by agents at a protest.
• He had a valid concealed carry permit, was reportedly not resisting at the time, and was shot multiple times in the back.
• (03:32) ABC News Report: "Thousands braving sub zero temperatures in protest...Multiple graphic videos from the scene show Preddy appeared to try to help a woman who'd been pushed by a federal officer...he was holding a cell phone before he was shoved by a federal agent, pepper sprayed and pulled to the ground...Three officers appearing to grapple with Preddy...one agent appearing to repeatedly hit him...One federal officer appears to draw a handgun while another agent appears to be seen removing a gun from Preddy's waistband...10 shots were fired in less than five seconds."
• Eyewitnesses insisted Preddy was not resisting and was shot while subdued. He had no criminal record.

2. Kristi Noem’s Narrative

• Kristi Noem immediately placed the blame on Preddy, calling him a violent rioter and suggesting his actions amounted to domestic terrorism because he was armed at a protest—even though he had a legal permit.
• Noem's response: (06:03) News Reporter (quoting Noem): "An individual approached US Border Patrol officers with a 9 millimeter...The officers attempted to disarm this individual, but the armed suspect reacted violently...the agent fired defensive shots...This looks like a situation where an individual arrived at the scene to inflict maximum damage...This is a violent riot...that is the definition of domestic terrorism."
• She painted Preddy as arriving with intent to harm law enforcement, despite video evidence suggesting otherwise.

3. Charlamagne’s Response: Authoritarian Manipulation & Gaslighting

• Charlamagne sharply critiques Noem and federal officials for their "exercise in power" and refusal to engage truthfully with the facts.
• He connects the official spin to classic authoritarian strategies: control of information, reality distortion, and public confusion.
• (07:24) Charlamagne: "They are attempting to dictate your perception of reality because that is a core feature of authoritarianism...If they can shape your perception of reality, controlling behavior becomes way easier...they redefine language, normalize the absurd, create an enemy narrative."
• He highlights the absurdity of questioning why someone would be legally armed at a protest in a “gun everywhere” culture, contrasting it with accepted norms in other civilian settings (e.g., Starbucks, Dunkin Donuts, the South).

4. The Constitution and Double Standards

• Charlamagne points out the hypocrisy of constitutional defenders suddenly scapegoating those exercising rights guaranteed by the very document they claim to protect.
• (04:57) Charlamagne: "They are demonizing this man for exercising his constitutional right to bear arms. He had a concealed carry permit and had his gun in his holster, and they are using that to justify his killing...How many people in the Trump administration are going to continue to wipe their ass with the document that represents the supreme law of the United States?"

5. Consequences for Political Actors

• Charlamagne predicts that figures like Noem will eventually be discarded by the same regime they defend, drawing a stark historical parallel to Nazi Germany and its aftermath.
• (10:30) Charlamagne: "The Nazis ultimately lost...Leaders of the Nazi regime were prosecuted and tried as war criminals...Christy, this is where people like you are headed...You will be thrown under the bus by the same authoritarian regime you are caping for."

6. Call to Maintain Grip on Reality

• He emphasizes the necessity for Americans to “protect your grip on reality,” warning that authoritarianism succeeds when people doubt their own perceptions or surrender to official narratives.
• (11:54) Charlamagne: "Protect your grip on reality, individually and collectively...Authoritarianism only works when people doubt their own perception or give it up to the powers that be. Even if you disagree on values, we gotta defend shared facts."

7. Racial Implications and Societal Reckoning

• He pointedly wonders how society will respond now that police violence has also resulted in the death of a white individual, suggesting this could mark a turning point.
• (12:36) Charlamagne: "We always wondered, how would America react if law enforcement started recklessly killing white people in the street the way they have historically done to people of color? Well, we about to find out."

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Charlamagne on reality distortion:

  “They are attempting to dictate your perception of reality because that is a core feature of authoritarianism.” (07:24)

• On constitutional hypocrisy:

  "They are demonizing this man for exercising his constitutional right to bear arms." (04:57)

• Calling out Noem & the administration:

  "Authoritarian regimes aren't loyal to anyone...Even Donald Trump is refusing to back your claim." (09:27)

• On history and hope:

  “The Nazis ultimately lost…If you need any hope, always remember that the Nazis ultimately lost.” (10:30)

• On defending reality against propaganda:

  "Protect your grip on reality, individually and collectively...Authoritarianism only works when people doubt their own perception or give it up to the powers that be." (11:54)

• On white victims of police violence:

  "We always wondered, how would America react if law enforcement started recklessly killing white people in the street the way they have historically done to people of color? Well, we about to find out." (12:36)

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Important Timestamps

• 02:09: Opening remarks on police-community tensions
• 03:32: ABC News audio report details shooting of Alex Preddy
• 04:57: Charlamagne critiques the vilification and scapegoating of Preddy
• 06:03: Kristi Noem’s press statement blaming Preddy
• 07:24: Discussion of reality distortion and authoritarian tactics
• 09:27: Trump distances himself from Noem's defense of the shooting
• 10:30: Historical comparison to Nazi Germany and warnings for officials
• 11:54: Urgent call to defend shared facts and reality
• 12:36: Reflection on shifting dynamics of police violence and racial reckoning

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Tone & Language

Charlamagne delivers his commentary with urgency, passion, and clarity, employing direct rhetoric, analogies, and historical references. The mood is sober but defiant, with calls for vigilance against propaganda and reminders of historical justice. The segment is both a condemnation of official spin and a rallying cry for civic reality-checks and accountability.

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Summary Usefulness:
This summary offers a full account of the episode’s content, themes, and significant remarks, providing listeners and non-listeners alike with a comprehensive understanding of the conversation and its broader significance in the current political and social landscape.

Transcript

[Charlamagne tha God]

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[DJ Envy]

You've been working in the garage with your dad every week, Monday to Sunday, trying to get the old school up and running. Today, after all the hard work, y' all finally finished it. Even better, your dad says. All yours, son. Yep, same car that belonged to your grandpa and that your dad helped him fix. It's yours. To really keep the tradition going, you need to get State Farm insurance just like them, generation to generation. Remember to choose the ages that your family counted on. Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there.

[Dr. Jesse Mills]

This is Dr. Jesse Mills, host of the Mailroom podcast. Each January, men promise to get stronger, work harder, and fix what's broken. But what if the real work isn't physical at all? I sat down with psychologist Dr. Steve Poulter to unpack shame, anxiety and the emotional pain men were never taught how to name.

[Dr. Steve Poulter]

Part of the way through the Valley of Despair is realizing this has happened.

[Charlamagne tha God]

And you have to make a choice.

[Dr. Steve Poulter]

Whether you're going to stay in it or move forward.

[Dr. Jesse Mills]

Our two part conversation is available now. Listen to the mailroom on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your favorite shows.

[Charlamagne tha God]

Made it this is America. There is no question that there are problems in this country between police and community. Yes, you are A donkey. The latest on that police killing of a black man.

[News Reporter]

Now to new developments in the deadly spa shooting rampage.

[Charlamagne tha God]

And yesterday was a really bad day.

[Dr. Jesse Mills]

For him and this is what he did.

[Charlamagne tha God]

And so we are in a state of emergency. Okay? White supremacist violence is and always have been the number one threat to our society.

[DJ Envy]

But I'm also very proud that my wife is white.

[Charlamagne tha God]

The Breakfast Club, bitches. All right, Charlene, please tell me, why was I your donkey of the day? Yes, Donkey of the day for Monday, January 26th goes to Christie Gnome. Christie, I feel like I gave you donkey of the day just yesterday for defending Donald Trump's justification for the killing of Renee Good by an ICE agent. And here we go again because this weekend you were tasked with yet again peeing on we the People's head and telling us this ring. Okay? If you haven't heard, ICE agents have killed yet another individual in Minneapolis. This time 37 year old Alex Jeffrey Pritty, who was an intensive care nurse at a Voice A hospital. An intensive care nurse at a VA hospital. Now I'm letting you know now that some of this audio we are about to play will be triggering because you will hear the gunshots that killed Alex. Let's go to ABC News for the report, please.

[Dr. Steve Poulter]

Over the weekend, thousands braving sub zero temperatures in protest after Saturday morning. Border patrol agents shot and killed 37 year old Alex Preddy, a US citizen who worked as an ICU nurse. The city's second fatal shooting this month at the hands of federal agents. Multiple graphic videos from the scene show Preddy appeared to try to help a woman who'd been pushed by a federal officer. He appears to be holding a cell phone before he shoved by a federal agent, pepper sprayed and pulled to the ground. Three officers appearing to grapple with Preddy. One agent appearing to repeatedly hit him. One federal officer appears to draw a handgun while another agent appears to be seen removing a gun from Preddy's waistband. The video then shows officers firing several shots as Preddy falls to the ground. An independent audio, 10 shots were fired in less than five seconds. In court documents, one witness, a physician who treated Preddy at the scene, says agent shot Preddy at least six or seven times, adding the victim had at least three bullet wounds in his back. An additional gunshot wound on the victim's upper left chest and another possible gunshot wound on his neck. Another eyewitness saying it didn't look like he was trying to resist. Four or five agents had him on the ground and they just started shooting him. Preddy had no criminal record and local law enfor he had a valid permit to carry a firearm.

[Charlamagne tha God]

I have so many thoughts. Bear with me, man. First of all, RIP to Alice Pretty, a white male intensive care nurse at a VA hospital shot and killed because he chose to protect some women who were being pepper sprayed by ICE agents. You know, you should watch the video if you haven't, even though it is a lot to watch. They are demonizing this man for exercising his constitutional right to bear arms. He had a concealed carry permit and had his gun in his holster, and they are using that to justify his killing. How many people in the Trump administration, how many people who serve this regime are going to continue to wipe their ass with the document that represents the supreme law of the United States? That document is the Constitution. Okay? I thought this document quite clearly outlined the structure of the federal government and guaranteed us fundamental rights, but clearly that changed and nobody told me we the people. Okay? Now, of course, as soon as Alex was murdered, Christy Noem rushed to make it his fault. All right? Before any investigation or anything was done, they. They just rushed to tell the American people their version of events. Let's listen.

[News Reporter]

An individual approached U.S. border Patrol officers with a 9 millimeter semi automatic handgun. The officers attempted to disarm this individual, but the armed suspect reacted violently. Fearing for his life and for the lives of his fellow officers around him, an agent fired defensive shots. Medics were on the scene immediately and attempted to deliver medical aid to the subject, but he was pronounced dead at the scene. The suspect also had two magazines with ammunition in them that held dozens of rounds. He also had no id. This looks like a situation where an individual arrived at the scene to inflict maximum damage on individuals and to kill law enforcement. Did the 37 year old who had a license to carry, did he brandish a gun? And at what point did law enforcement retrieve the gun and also the magazines from him? Can you offer clarity on this? Individual showed up to impede a law enforcement operation and assaulted our officers. I don't know of any peaceful protester that shows up with a gun and ammunition rather than a sign. This is a violent riot. When you have someone showing up with weapons and are using them to assault law enforcement officers. When you perpetuate violence against a government because of ideological reasons and for reasons to resist and perpetuate violence, that is the definition of domestic terrorism.

[Charlamagne tha God]

Peeing on our head and telling us that it's raining. Anyone who saw this video knows everything she said was a complete lie. Okay? He didn't Approach agents with a gun. He wasn't violent towards them. He had a cell phone recording ICE abusing their power. And then when they pepper sprayed the. The women. He didn't attack any ICE agents. He went to aid the women. And that's when he got assaulted by ICE agents. And from the video I saw, they disarmed him, meaning took his gun off his holster and then proceeded to shoot him, I believe, 10 times. Let me tell you something. Kristi Noem and J.D. vance and Donald Trump, the DOJ, they aren't trying to make you believe them, okay? They aren't lying just because they are liars. This is an exercise in power, all right? They are attempting to dictate your perception of reality because that is a core feature of authoritarianism, okay? Authoritarian governments don't just try to control your behav. No, no, no, no. They try to control what feels true, okay? If they can shape your perception of reality, controlling behavior becomes way easier, okay? This is textbook authoritarianism, all right? Control the information environment. Limit or overwhelm information so people can't reliably tell what's real, even if they are looking right at it. All right? Attack independent journalist. We see that. All right? State controlled media. We seeing that with cbs. Flood the public with contradictory, contradictory narratives so nobody knows what the truth is. All right? They redefine language, okay? They normalize the absurd. They create an enemy narrative. That's what they are trying to do with this situation. They tell you Alex was a bad guy because he had a concealed weapon. They asked the question, who brings a gun to a protest? Christy, this is America. All 50 states have some form of concealed carry permits. You ask, why did he bring a gun to a protest? Why do people bring guns to Starbucks? Okay? Do you really need your gun with you? Inside of Dunkin Donuts, Baskin Robbins in the south, where I'm from, South Carolina, all day, they have constitutional carry. That's when individuals can carry concealed weapons without a state issued permit. But now all of a sudden, it's wrong to carry any and everywhere, even though we live in a country that lets you carry damn near any and everywhere. Well, that's what happens when you are under an authoritarian government, okay? They are hell bent on distorting our reality. All right, Cristy, I'm gonna tell you something. You are gonna be a sacrificial lamb in all of this because authoritarian regimes aren't loyal to anyone. Even Donald Trump is refusing to back your claim that the shooting of Alex Preddy was justified, okay? In an interview with the Wall Street Journal, Trump repeatedly declined to say whether the Border Patrol agent who killed Preddy in Minne had done the right thing. Instead, he said his administration was reviewing everything and will come out with a determination. Christy, they didn't give you that memo, okay? They gave you orders to deny, deny, deny, and say he didn't comply. I'm going to tell y' all something. America, I don't know how dark or how bad things are going to get, but I keep, you know, hearing people referencing 1940s Germany, and I think it's, you know, always good to look to history to see what could happen. But I want y' all to remember something when you are bringing up that history. The Nazis ultimately lost, okay? If you need any hope, all right? Or any bit of optimism, always remember the Nazis ultimately lost. We tend to forget that, all right? Hitler died by suicide. Nazi government collapsed. Germany formally surrendered. Nazi ideology was outlawed through denazification. Okay? One day, we will see the demagification of this country. It will come. And you know what else happened? Leaders of the Nazi regime were prosecuted and tried as war criminals. 22 major Nazi leaders and organizations would tried for crimes against peace. Okay? War crimes and crimes against humanity. Christy, this is where people like you are headed, okay? I don't care how it looks now, but it's inevitable. You will be thrown under the bus by the same authoritarian regime you are caping for, okay? You will be forced to resign or impeached. And in the future, you will be held accountable for all lies you are spewing to the American people. It's inevitable. Please let Chelsea Handler give Kristy Gnome the biggest. He haw hee haw hee haw.

[News Reporter]

That is way too much, Dan Mayonnaise.

[Charlamagne tha God]

And I just want to tell Americans, too, man, keep your guard up, okay? Protect your grip on reality, individually and collectively, okay? Authoritarianism only works when people doubt their own perception or give it up to the powers that be. Even if you disagree on values, we gotta defend shared facts, okay? The fact is, what happened to Alex Preddy was dead wrong, okay? We can argue about policy, but not whether the event happened. We saw it. We felt it. It was wrong, period, full stop. And we always wondered, how would America react if law enforcement started recklessly killing white people in the street the way they have historically done to people of color? Well, we about to find out.

[DJ Envy]

That's right.

[Angela Yee]

All right, well, thank you for that donkey of the day. Now, let's open up the phone lines. Let's clear the phone lines. 800-585-1051. I seen this trending over the weekend. Tracy Morgan was leaving the Knicks game, and old. I don't want to say friend, but somebody that Tracy knew came up to him and asked him for money.

[Charlamagne tha God]

What? What, what, you think it's somebody like, grew up with?

[DJ Envy]

Yeah. Okay.

[Charlamagne tha God]

From his old hood? No, I was thinking about something. I feel like we should open lines to the people. Yeah, I feel like we should call an audible, man. All right, let's audible it. I feel like we should open up the phone to the people, man. Because, you know, we live in this world where it's like algorithm. The algorithm changes by the second. So one day we battle in a blizzard, right? One second we battle about to battle a blizzard, then the next second we watching somebody just get killed in the street by law enforcement. And then we watching the government just gaslight us about it and lie to us about it. And then we watch AFC and NFC championship games and talk about the Super Bowl. We just move, move, move, move, instead of checking in with people and seeing how they feel.

[Angela Yee]

Okay, we can do that.

[Charlamagne tha God]

Let's open up the phone lines.

[Angela Yee]

800-585-1051.

[Charlamagne tha God]

Yes. Let's talk. Yes. Man.

[Angela Yee]

If you're just joining us, Charlamagne gave Donkey today too. What's the lady's name?

[Charlamagne tha God]

Christy. Gnome and ice. You know what I mean? For once again peeing on our head and telling us it's raining. And, you know, like I said, you know, Americans, we got to keep our guard up. We got to protect our grip individually and collectively. This gives us the opportunity right now to open up the phone lines and collectively just talk to the people to make sure we dealing with reality.

[Angela Yee]

Okay, well, let's open up the phone lines. 800-585-1051.

[Charlamagne tha God]

Let's discuss donkey. Today 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 Michael the Bull dot com. And when you mess with the bull, you get the H. Hollywood is buzzing. Award winning director Von Kovach has come out of retirement, promising to redefine the superhero genre with his remake of Wonder Man. At the center is Simon Williams, a man desperate to be a star but hiding a dangerous secret. He has superpowers outlawed in Hollywood with Trevor Slattery mentoring him. Hilarity and heart collide in ways only Marvel could deliver. Starring Emmy award winner Yahya Abdul Mateen II and Oscar winner Ben Kingsley. This is Marvel like you've never seen it before. Don't miss Marvel Television's Wonder Man Screaming Tuesday, only on Disney.

[Dr. Jesse Mills]

This is Dr. Jesse Mills, host of the Mailroom podcast. Each January, men promise to get stronger, work harder, and fix what's broken. But what if the real work isn't physical at all? I sat down with psychologist Dr. Steve Poulter to unpack shame, anxiety and the emotional pain men were never taught how to name.

[Dr. Steve Poulter]

Part of the way through the Valley of Despair is realizing this has happened.

[Charlamagne tha God]

And you have to make a choice.

[Dr. Steve Poulter]

Whether you're going to stay in it or move forward.

[Dr. Jesse Mills]

Our two part conversation is available now. Listen to the mail room on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your favorite shows.

[Public Service Announcement Voice]

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[News Reporter]

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[Charlamagne tha God]

He is edgy.

[News Reporter]

He's fun. He is Chase Matthew Keith Urban helped.

[Charlamagne tha God]

Make him a global sensation last year, but it's his recent number one hit, Darlin, that put Chase on the map and launched a fun and difficult conversation about lovers who cheat and lie. That's why I'm scared to get married. You're giving me trust issues, brother.

[News Reporter]

Crook and Chase Nashville chats with Chase Chase Matthew Listen and subscribe on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen to podcasts.

[Charlamagne tha God]

This is an iHeart podcast. Guaranteed Human.