DONKEY: Woman Steals Over $266K From Her 95-Year-Old Grandfather

Summary

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The Breakfast Club – "DONKEY: Woman Steals Over $266K From Her 95-Year-Old Grandfather"

Date: September 10, 2025
Hosts: Charlamagne Tha God, DJ Envy, Jess Hilarious

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Episode Overview

This episode of The Breakfast Club centers on Charlamagne Tha God’s signature “Donkey of the Day” segment, spotlighting the egregious case of Erica Hopper, a 45-year-old woman accused of stealing over $266,000 from her 95-year-old grandfather. Through biting commentary and spirited debate, the hosts dissect the themes of elder abuse, family betrayal, and accountability within the Black community, with Charlamagne’s passionate monologue at the core.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Donkey of the Day: Erica Hopper’s Story

[03:07-07:16]

• The Crime:

  • Erica Hopper of Washington, D.C., aged 45, is accused of exploiting her power of attorney to siphon over $266,000 from her elderly grandfather between November 2021 and June 2025.
  • Expenses included:
    • Payments on a 2022 Kia Stinger
    • Luxury apartment rent
    • Designer clothes
    • Cosmetic surgery
    • Stage seats at an Usher concert
    • Trips to New Orleans and Las Vegas
    • Payoff of multiple credit cards

• The Victim’s Plight:

  • After his wife’s passing, the grandfather was placed in assisted living. Hopper used his finances, including proceeds from a house sale and his pension/social security.

• Charlamagne’s Outrage:

  • Expresses disgust specifically over “taking advantage of kids and the elderly,” emphasizing that both ends of life are vulnerable and require protection, especially by family.
  • “Nothing hurts worse than watching kids or the elderly getting taken advantage of by their own family.” – Charlamagne ([03:43])

2. Moral Commentary and Family Betrayal

[05:08-07:16]

• On Trust & Inheritance:

  • Charlamagne notes the tragic irony—Hopper would likely have inherited money legitimately (“If your grandfather touching that kind of paper, he probably got you in the will anyway.”)
  • Critiques her choices: “You could’ve probably just asked him for what you want. Then you get the money and spend it…”

• Broader Message:

  • Criticizes using power of attorney for personal gain: “That doesn’t mean power to exploit.”
  • Brings up community values: “Those who respect the elderly pave their own road towards success... Elders are supposed to pass down blessings, not get bled dry by their own bloodlines.” – Charlamagne ([06:14])

• Spiritual Reference:

  • Cites the Bible: “First Peter 5:5 says you should submit to your elders with humility. Erica, you was not humble. You was arrogant.”

• Ultimate Judgment:

  • Concludes with: “If you’ll rob your own grandfather, you’ll rob anybody. And that’s why you have to… you should have to deal with maximum consequences. They need to make an example of you.” – Charlamagne ([06:55])

3. Should The Grandfather Press Charges?

[07:30-08:58]

• Host Debate:

  • Charlamagne raises the tough question: “Do you press charges on your granddaughter?” ([07:41])
  • Acknowledges the complexity—he wouldn’t want his own granddaughter in jail, but theft demands consequences.
    • “Choices have consequences. I agree. But still your granddaughter. I don’t care.” – Charlamagne ([08:23])
  • The co-hosts point out that family or not, a crime is a crime.

• Personalization:

  • Co-host evokes empathy: “What would you do at 90 years old and Madison’s daughter do this to you?”
  • The hosts agree on the emotional difficulty but stand firm on the need for accountability.

4. Addressing Stereotypes and Community Reflection

[08:58-09:13]

• Nationality Joke:
  • Charlamagne addresses an offhand suspicion about scammer stereotypes, clarifying he wasn’t accusing any particular group:
    • “No, Erica is not Nigerian. I know you was thinking it, but a Nigerian would never do their grandfather like this.” ([06:30])
    • Co-hosts jokingly rebuke Charlamagne for bringing it up at all.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Funny how life works, okay? We start off as kids that need their asses wiped by others and then grow to be elders that need their asses wiped by others. But either way, neither version deserves to be taken advantage of.” – Charlamagne Tha God [03:27]
• “That doesn’t mean power to exploit.” – Charlamagne Tha God on power of attorney [05:27]
• “Elders are supposed to pass down blessings, not get bled dry by their own bloodlines.” – Charlamagne Tha God [06:17]
• “If you’ll rob your own grandfather, you’ll rob anybody. And that’s why you have to… you should have to deal with maximum consequences.” – Charlamagne Tha God [06:50]
• “Do you press charges on your granddaughter?... Choices have consequences. I agree. But still your granddaughter.” [07:41–08:23]

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Segment Timestamps

• [03:07] – Donkey of the Day intro: Erica Hopper, scamming her grandfather
• [04:05] – NBC4 news report details the alleged crimes and purchases
• [05:08] – Charlamagne’s reaction and broader commentary on family betrayal
• [07:16] – Hamiltones “Donkey of the Day” jingle; segment transitions to panel discussion
• [07:30]–[09:13] – Hosts debate the implications: press charges or forgive? Consequences for family
• [08:58–09:13] – Addressing community stereotypes and humor

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Tone and Style

• Original Tone: Incisive, impassioned, with signature Breakfast Club blend of humor and serious social commentary
• Charlamagne Tha God: Delivers a direct, sometimes irreverent, but heartfelt monologue that anchors the segment
• Co-hosts: Offer both banter and sobering perspective, personalizing the family dilemma

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Summary

This episode delivers a scathing critique of elder abuse and family betrayal, with Charlamagne Tha God leading the charge. Using Erica Hopper’s story as a prompt, the hosts explore generational responsibility, tough love, and the importance of accountability—especially when family is involved. Highlighted by signature Breakfast Club humor and cultural insight, the discussion is both a cautionary tale and a call for community standards around the treatment of elders.

Transcript

[Morgan Wood]

This is an I Heart podcast.

[Breakfast Club Host]

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 belongs to your grandpa 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 agents that your family counted on. Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there.

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[Morgan Wood]

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[Charlamagne Tha God]

Because you're mean. I am not. What did I do? I made donkey today. There's a bunch of donkeys out here in the street.

[Breakfast Club Co-host]

That is why Charlamagne is here. Charlamagne, the tear.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

If we live a life where we bite our tongue based off who we may have seen, we never would say anything. You don't give a damn. Don't throw it up.

[Breakfast Club Host]

Give it to him on the Breakfast Club. In the words of Charlemagne, the God, he's a donkey.

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That's.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Oh, man. Charlemagne. He's giving donkey today. To who now? Well, Busta Rhymes, donkey of the day for Wednesday, September 10th goes to Erica Hopper of Washington D.C. she is 45 years old and she's accused of big scamming. Okay? I'm talking wham, bam, thank you, scam. All right, super say on scamming. And let me tell you something. If there's two things that grind my gifts, it's when people take advantage of kids and the elderly. Funny how life works, okay? We start off as kids that need their asses wiped by others and then grow to be elders that need their asses wiped by others. But either way, neither version deserves to be taken advantage of. And nothing hurts worse than watching kids are the elderly getting taken advantage of by their own family. And that's exactly what Erica Hopper did. She is accused of making more than $266,000 in unauthorized purchases from an old man's account. Would you like to know who the old man was? Let's go to NBC4 for the report, please.

[NBC4 Reporter]

Montgomery County Police accused 45 year old Erica Hopper of embezzlement, theft and fraud when her grandfather went to an assisted living home in Silver Spring following the death of his wife of 60 plus years. Hopper gained power of attorney in the statement of charges against her. Police accuse her of using that to spend her grandfather's money, including from the sale of his house, on herself From November of 2021 until June of this year. Expenditures listed include payments on a 2022 Kia Stinger, the payoff of credit card balances on two cards, stage area seats at an Usher concert, elective cosmetic surgery, trips to New Orleans and Las Vegas, designer clothing and accessories, and rent payments totaling more than $266,000. Charging documents accused Hopper of listing her grandfather's pension and Social Security, making him a co tenant to qualify for an apartment at a luxury building steps from Union market in Northeast D.C. police say he remained in the nursing home during that time.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Really, Erica, your 95 year old grandfather. If your grandfather touching that kind of paper, he probably got you in the will anyway. If your grandfather touching that kind of paper, you could have probably just asked him for what you want. Then you get the money and spend it on a new car, luxury apartment, cosmetic surgery. What you got? A bbl, Luxury clothing, concert tickets. Concert tickets. Who did you go see? The ratchet. Oh, you wanted to have big fun on your grandfather's dime. She actually went to go see Usher and didn't even get no cherries. Now, I know you had power of attorney for your grandfather, Erica, but that doesn't mean power to exploit. Okay? We was just talking about this earlier because Cardi B was on Jennifer Hudson saying how your kids are, you know, going to take care of you when you get older. They supposed to you should be able to rely on family when you get older. But you can't change a player's game in the ninth inning. Okay, Once the scammer, always a scammer. And no, Erica is not Nigerian. I know you was thinking it, but. But a Nigerian would never do their grandfather like this. Because Nigerians understand those who respect the elderly pave their own road towards success. The Bible even says you should submit to your elders with humility. That's first Peter 5. 5. Erica, you was not humble. You was arrogant. Crazy thing is, you wasn't scamming your grandfather, you were scamming yourself. Okay? What kind of soulless person steals from a 95 year old? Especially a person who. Who was probably gonna leave you something anyway. Elders are supposed to pass down blessings, not get bled dry by their own bloodlines. Okay, I don't know who needs to hear this this morning, but please listen to your Uncle Charlotte. Taking advantage of old folks ain't hustling. That's heartless. Okay? If you'll rob your own grandfather, you'll rob anybody. And that's why you have to. You, Erica, should have to deal with maximum consequences. They need to make an example of you. That man is 95. He fought through segregation and probably two hip replacements, okay? He should not have to fight his own granddaughter for his bank account. Please give Erica Hopper the sweet sounds of the Hamiltones.

[Breakfast Club Co-host]

You are the donkey of the day. You are the donkey of the day.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Ye are gotta make an example of her. Now, I was thinking. I was thinking. Master question.

[Breakfast Club Co-host]

What?

[Charlamagne Tha God]

That's your granddaughter. She stole from you. It's wrong. It's foul. But do you press charges on your granddaughter? Now I got dimension. I don't even remember y'. All do what y' all do. But I don't know nothing. Make sure my money's back in my account. Make sure my money back in my account. I don't remember. It's foul, it's horrible. But do you press charges on your granddaughter? It's not about whether or not he presses charges on some other family giving charges pressed because she committed a crime.

[Breakfast Club Co-host]

Well, some other family members, some type of consequence like you said. I mean, yeah, you press charges on little ass man and then like, that's your granddaughter. Right, but she was probably in the will anyway. If he touching that type of paper, like you don't even know. That's crazy. You don't know because she probably gonna.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Go to jail for some time. Time like this ain't no 30 days. She made a choice and. But that's your granddaughter, 45. She's a 45 year old woman who made a choice. Still your granddaughter. Choices have consequences. I agree. But still your granddaughter. I don't care.

[Breakfast Club Co-host]

You know better.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Talking about, did she care about me as a grandfather when she was stealing from me? No, it was wrong, man. Shut up. But you still don't want.

[Breakfast Club Co-host]

What would you do at 90 years old and. And, And Madison's daughter do this to you? You 90?

[Charlamagne Tha God]

I don't want her to go to jail.

[Breakfast Club Host]

What?

[Charlamagne Tha God]

It's foul. It's wrong. I'm not saying. I'm not saying it's right. But you still don't want your granddaughter. Your granddaughter.

[Breakfast Club Co-host]

All right, well, forget it. All right, well, and then first of all, Charlemagne, who was thinking that they was Nigerian? Why you had to say that?

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Who said that? You? I'm tired of y' all accusing me of things I didn't say.

[Breakfast Club Co-host]

No, you did. You saying, I know everybody thinking it's Nigerian. Nobody know what somebody thinking.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Never happened. Roll the tape. Never happened. Never said that. A clown never said that. All right, well, thank you for that Donkey Today Fake news. Now when we come back, just hilarious hoax. I wouldn't say that. Donkey today is sponsored by renowned personal injury attorney Michael the Bull. Lamb and soft. 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 bu. The horns.

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[Morgan Wood]

It's Morgan Wood from the Black Information Network Many in this world are pushing lies, fostering hate and dividing our children. Others in this world refuse to let that stand. Meet four of the others Pastor Dumasani, Washington Dr. Brandy Shuvatinsky, artist Tamir Peretz and black Israeli Arab student activist Tamer Masouddin. 4 Voices of Truth loudly crushing propaganda. Join them and me because truth matters.

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[Morgan Wood]

This is an iHeart podcast.