The Breakfast Club — November 18, 2025

Episode Overview

Today’s episode of The Breakfast Club (DJ Envy, Charlamagne Tha God, Lauren LaRosa, with contributions from Mimi Brown) dives into the biggest headlines in news, politics, and music—including exclusive interviews with Wale and Lola Brooke. Highlights include reactions to federal immigration sweeps in Charlotte, breaking updates on Offset and Cardi B, discussion of 6ix9ine’s mother's home invasion, and commentary on viral celebrity moments. The hosts also share meaningful artist conversations about mental health, career journeys, and the complexities of success.

Key Segments, Topics & Quotes

1. Front Page News – Politics, Economy & Immigration

(06:50, 33:40, 41:47, 43:13)

Jeffrey Epstein Bill & Trump’s $2,000 Dividends

• The House set to vote on releasing all nonclassified Epstein files with bipartisan support, pressuring the GOP-controlled Senate.

  • Trump claims: “We have nothing to do with Epstein. The Democrats do… but don’t talk about it too much…” (08:04)
  • Discussion on whether the files will ever be fully released, skepticism about transparency.
  • Listeners call in expressing doubt: “Trump and his administration has been going through everything to make sure anything that incriminates them, they classify.” (15:45)

• Trump proposes $2,000 “dividend checks” before the 2026 midterms, paid via tariff revenue.

  • Mimi: “None of that can happen unless Congress approves it… Congress would have to pass a new law.” (10:23)
  • Envy and callers debate the potential inflationary effects and political motivations.

Operation “Charlotte’s Web” – Charlotte Immigration Raids

(33:40)

• ICE raids detain over 130, affecting both the undocumented and U.S. citizens.
  • “We’ve seen masked, heavily armed agents… picking up random people… This is not making us safer, it’s stoking fear.” — NC Gov. Josh Stein (35:13)
  • Community fear, profiling concerns, and businesses closing in protest.
  • Operation met with protest from leaders; family of E.B. White (author of “Charlotte’s Web”) objects to the operation's name.

Innovation: Ford and Amazon

• Ford partners with Amazon for online certified pre-owned car sales.
• “Tesla does that already… Problem is you can’t negotiate or talk to anyone.” — DJ Envy (38:01)

Philanthropy

• MacKenzie Scott donates over $130M to HBCUs.
  • “Say what you want about capitalism, I like that type of compassionate capitalism.” — Charlamagne (39:51)

2. “Get It Off Your Chest” — Community Calls

(12:15–19:32)

• Listeners vent about government economic policy vocabulary, ICE raids, and health care frustrations.
• Caller Carl, in Charlotte construction, notes ICE’s impact on the labor force: “You should see the panic… Nobody’s showing up. That’s why… they in a panic. And I’m like, y’all voted for this.” (14:11)

3. Celebrity News with Lauren LaRosa

(20:35, 24:54, 31:28, 68:46, 98:24)

Offset & Cardi B Paternity Drama

(20:35)

• Offset denies viral rumors about Cardi’s child and paternity laws.
  • Rep: “Any statements attributed to Offset… are completely fabricated… He genuinely wishes her nothing but the best.” (21:50)
  • Hosts reflect on online rumors: “Some things just shouldn’t be making it to social media.” — Charlamagne (22:11)

Tekashi 6ix9ine’s Mother Held in Home Invasion

(24:54)

• Four armed men invade 6ix9ine’s Florida home, holding his mother while 6ix9ine is away on livestream.
  • “They don’t get no cool points for that. My mom is 60…” — 6ix9ine statement (25:17)
  • Charlemagne: “You make everybody a target when you’re a target.” (29:01)
  • Debate about home defense and stand-your-ground laws.

Nicki Minaj to Speak at UN

(31:28)

• Scheduled to address religious violence in Nigeria alongside the Trump administration.
  • Charlamagne: “I hope somebody writes Nicki’s speech… if Nikki go in there freestyling, boy, boy…”
  • Lauren: “Let’s keep it low. Y’all know I’m not the Barb’s favorite person.” (33:04)

4. Artist Interview: Wale

(42:16–68:15)

• Wale discusses new album “Everything Is a Lot,” both a personal and creative “first album.”
  • “In a weird way, this is kinda my first album. Like, my first album, dolo…” (43:02)
  • On heartbreak and artistry: “Whoever the woman is that broke your heart… thank you, man…” — Charlamagne (43:45)
  • On the creative struggle: “It’s hard, when you lock in [on your art], to see anything but that… you lose people in your life because they don’t understand.” (45:04)
  • Wale gets candid about loss, grief, and survivor’s guilt: “I lost so many people… fans are desensitized [to artist trauma]… this is the first time in my career I really talked about that side.” (48:17)
  • Advocacy for mental health resources: “Record deals should come with access to a therapist… these kids don’t even know how much trauma they have in them.” (54:53)
  • On longevity and legacy—recalling Jay-Z’s prediction: “It keeps me motivated to this day that he saw that in me…” (61:00)
  • Misconceptions: “People think I’m angry… I just be over a lot of this… I’m over the fake stuff.” (66:05)
  • Message on “Everything Is a Lot”: “I want them to feel like they watched a movie. These stories are weaving within each other.” (65:04)

Notable Quote

“The most intense part of therapy is finding one… you unpack so much and it brings you to a low, and then you realize this one didn’t work. That runs people off more than anything.”
— Wale (59:51)

5. Artist Interview: Lola Brooke

(82:12–96:59)

• Celebrates “I Bet” album & going gold with “You”—surprised with a plaque live.
• On growth: “Last project I put out… my mind wasn’t there. Now I’m like, I bet, I got it, I’m sure…” (82:36)
• Discusses vulnerability, imposter syndrome, and survivor’s remorse: “I didn’t even know what that feeling was. …I don’t vent to everybody… I know you feel something but don’t know how to explain it.” (83:54)
• On expectations for women in rap: “They don’t know what they want us to do… you have to have way more confidence than the male artists, for sure.” (90:40)
• Her biggest lesson: “Don’t waste your time proving people wrong. Prove yourself right.” (85:51)
• Connects success to her mom: “My mom is the reason I resigned from my job… to pursue a music career.” (93:59)
• Guidance to young girls: “When they tell you you’re too aggressive, be even more aggressive. Say it with your chest… your tatas. Just don’t show them.” (95:52)

6. Additional Highlights & Viral Moments

Donkey of the Day: Jerrell Jones (Florida)

(75:06–81:52)

• 18-year-old hit-and-run suspect asked ChatGPT how to cover up the crime.
  • “How much due process do we need in America? We got them, okay!” — Charlamagne (78:25)
  • “Trouble is easy to get into, but hard to get out of.” — Charlamagne quoting his father (79:53)

Vivica A. Fox Doubles Down on 50 Cent Comments

(99:32–103:28)

• Defends advice against dating rappers, saying media focus on her ex-overshadowed her own career.
  • “If you’re giving advice to your younger self… she wished she’d have known then.” — Lauren (102:21)
  • “TMZ is running up on her to ask her about that instead of any of her other projects… even 20 years later.” — Charlamagne (102:53)

Miscellaneous Hot Takes

• Wale on finding the right therapist: “Sometimes I think it needs to be the exact opposite, like a white woman… sometimes, maybe, a Black man…” (58:22)
• Charlamagne on home invasions: “Never enough stories about the home invaders getting shot… the streets need a bite…” (30:38)

Notable Quotes and Timestamps

• “We make everybody a target when you’re a target.” — Charlamagne (29:01, on home invasions)
• “Don’t talk about it too much, because honestly, I don’t want to take [Epstein controversy] away from us. It’s really a Democrat problem.” — Donald Trump, played by the hosts (08:19)
• “It just feels good to be loved.” — Wale (44:33)
• “You gotta have more confidence than the male artist, for sure.” — Lola Brooke (90:40)
• “People think I’m mad all the time, and that couldn’t be further from the truth.” — Wale (67:44)
• “Don’t waste your time trying to prove people wrong. Prove yourself right.” — Lola Brooke (85:51)
• “Progress is impossible without change. Those who cannot change their minds cannot change anything.” — George Bernard Shaw, quoted by Charlamagne (110:22)

Memorable/Lighter Moments

• OVO Eli loses virginity to Drake’s “Headlines”: “Of all the Drake songs!” — Lauren (97:31)
• Discussion on the early start of Christmas (T.I.'s complaint) leading to debate about “pre-Christmas November.” (104:43, 105:55)

Episode Flow Outline

• 00:00–06:03 | Intros, light banter, prepping for news/interviews
• 06:09–11:49 | Front page news: Epstein files, Trump checks, bills, political analysis
• 12:15–19:32 | “Get It Off Your Chest” call-in segment
• 20:35–33:13 | Lauren’s celebrity news, Cardi B/Offset, 6ix9ine, UN news
• 33:29–41:47 | Front page news: Immigration in Charlotte, Ford x Amazon, MacKenzie Scott donations
• 42:07–68:21 | Wale Interview
• 68:46–75:04 | Additional Latest with Lauren: Porsha Williams, Ariana Grande, celebrity incidents
• 75:06–81:52 | Donkey of the Day (Jerrel Jones, Florida story)
• 82:12–96:59 | Lola Brooke Interview
• 98:24–110:37 | Recap, Vivica Fox viral clip, T.I. on Christmas, positive notes, upcoming events

Conclusion & Positive Note

Charlamagne’s closing wisdom:

“Progress is impossible without change. And those who cannot change their minds cannot change anything.”
(110:22)

For New Listeners

This episode encapsulates The Breakfast Club's signature blend of headline news discussion, unfiltered opinions, community call-ins, and artist-centered interviews. The hosts bring humor, vulnerability, and thoughtful debate to topics impacting hip-hop, politics, and everyday life.

Don’t miss:

• Exclusive Wale sit-down: an honest talk about art, therapy, and survival
• Lola Brooke’s gold plaque surprise and advice for young women
• In-depth, relatable reactions to major political, societal, and pop culture developments

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