The Breakfast Club – "Donkey of the Day: Taco Bell Employee Fatally Shoots Manager After Being Fired"
Date: October 20, 2025
Hosts: DJ Envy, Jess Hilarious, Charlamagne Tha God
Episode Overview
This episode’s “Donkey of the Day” segment, led by Charlamagne Tha God, dives into a tragic news story out of Ohio: a 21-year-old former Taco Bell employee, Jonathan Morris, fatally shot his manager, Ryan Johnson, the day after being fired. The hosts use the shocking incident to discuss themes of impulse control, mental health, and the escalation of workplace disputes, all with their characteristic blend of humor, real talk, and social commentary.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. The Incident Recap
[03:00] Charlamagne introduces the “Donkey of the Day,” naming Jonathan Morris, a young man who, after being fired from Taco Bell, returned and shot his manager. He plays a news clip with the basic facts:
- Shooting occurred outside a Taco Bell in Queensgate, Cincinnati.
- The manager (Ryan Johnson) died at the scene.
- Police are investigating; no arrests or weapon found at the moment.
2. Handling Job Loss
[03:55] Charlamagne shares personal stories of being fired—seven times, four from radio—emphasizing that retaliation was never an option:
“I was fired rightfully so, okay? I was late. That’s not funny. It is funny, but it is not. ... Not once did I think about reacting the way Jonathan Morris did.”
— Charlamagne Tha God [04:19]
3. The Escalation and Its Tragedy
Charlamagne is incredulous at the rapid escalation from job loss to violence, reflecting on Morris’s probable mental breakdown and the temporary feelings that led to a permanent act:
“Another permanent decision made from temporary feelings.”
— Charlamagne Tha God [06:11]
He stresses that no fast food job is worth such an irreversible act, especially for “about $13 an hour.”
4. Sympathy for Victim and Families
Charlamagne offers condolences to the slain manager and his family:
“Rest in peace to the manager, Ryan Johnson. … Sending his family healing energy.”
— Charlamagne Tha God [05:12]
5. Life Lessons & Advice
Charlamagne addresses young listeners, imparting hard-won wisdom:
“If there’s one thing I have learned in my 47 years on this planet, is that trouble don’t last. Always. Okay? This, too, shall pass.”
— Charlamagne Tha God [06:23]
He repeats that minimum wage jobs are not worth losing one’s freedom or someone’s life over, humorously listing other fast food spots as alternative employment options.
6. Workplace Violence and Emotional Health
He ties the event to broader social issues:
“Workplace conduct, plus emotional distress, plus access to firearms can lead to irreversible tragedies like this one.”
— Charlamagne Tha God [06:53]
7. Notable Quotes & Lighter Moments
The mood briefly lightens as the hosts joke about Taco Bell menu items:
“All that for a Crunchwrap Supreme?”
— Charlamagne Tha God [07:10]
“That’s crazy.”
— Jess Hilarious [07:11]
Charlamagne also jokes about how nobody should be fighting over fast food employment, especially not Chick-fil-A, because, “Well, you definitely not nice enough to work at no Chick-fil-A.”
8. The “What Race?” Game
[07:16-07:53] The hosts begin but quickly abandon their typical “what race?” guessing game, not wanting to joke in light of the tragedy. Charlamagne pokes fun at himself for being fired by his own sister from Taco Bell, clarifying he was just “late all the time” and insisting people here (at Breakfast Club) shouldn't act like he's often late now.
Notable Quotes with Timestamps
- [03:55] “I was fired rightfully so, okay? … Not once did I think about reacting to any of those firings. When was I the way Jonathan Morris did?”
- [05:12] “Rest in peace to the manager, Ryan Johnson, sending his family healing energy.”
- [06:11] “Another permanent decision made from temporary feelings. … This, too, shall pass.”
- [06:53] “Workplace conduct, plus emotional distress, plus access to firearms can lead to irreversible tragedies like this one.”
- [07:10] “All that for a Crunchwrap Supreme?”
- [07:11] “That’s crazy.” — Jess Hilarious
Important Timestamps
- [03:00] — Introduction of “Donkey of the Day” recipient and news recap
- [03:55] — Charlamagne's past firings and lesson
- [05:12] — Sympathy for the victim’s family
- [06:11] — Permanent solutions to temporary problems
- [06:53] — Broader social commentary on workplace violence
- [07:10–07:53] — Light-hearted riffing and the “What Race?” segment
Tone and Delivery
The segment balances grave commentary and empathetic advice with moments of trademark levity and banter. Charlamagne speaks candidly and directly, aiming at younger listeners, underscoring the senselessness of the tragedy without sensationalizing it.
Summary
A tragic shooting at an Ohio Taco Bell prompts The Breakfast Club to examine themes of emotional control, life perspective, and the consequences of impulsive actions. Charlamagne draws from his personal experiences to emphasize the importance of perspective after setbacks, while the crew’s lively chemistry keeps the discussion engaging for listeners—even as they treat the subject matter with the seriousness it demands. The episode closes with advice and a challenge to make better choices, especially among young workers processing job loss and workplace conflict.