The Breakfast Club: August 20, 2025
FULL SHOW: Mo’Nique Sends Message to Tyler Perry: “Take Accountability,” Fat Joe Praises Gunna’s Album, Target CEO Resigns + Laura Coates Interview
Hosts: DJ Envy, Jess Hilarious, Charlamagne Tha God
Guests: Laura Coates (CNN legal analyst), Lauren LaRosa (front page news & "Latest With Lauren")
Overview
This dynamic episode of The Breakfast Club covers a range of trending topics and interviews:
- Mo’Nique's demand for public accountability from Tyler Perry and Oprah
- Fat Joe's controversial praise for Gunna’s new album amid "snitching" accusations in hip-hop
- Breaking news: Target CEO Brian Cornell resigns amid sales drops and DEI backlash
- In-depth interview: CNN's Laura Coates discusses legal literacy, the Trump era, and breaking barriers in media
- Listener call-ins, workplace drama, birthdays, news updates, and plenty of trademark humor from the hosts
Episode Highlights
1. Crew Check-in, Listener Call-ins, & Morning Vibes [02:15–13:00]
- Jess Hilarious celebrates her daughter’s first birthday. Charlamagne reflects on time passing, “Time ain't waiting for nobody.” [02:51]
- Listeners call in for shout-outs, birthday wishes, and to joke with the hosts
- “I love all my fans. Don't play with me. They are the reasons why I'm here.” – Jess Hilarious [13:02]
2. Front Page News: Crime, Politics & Weather [05:24–10:29 | 33:16–41:00]
Key topics:
- Crime Surge in DC: White House touts arrests from Trump’s “crime crackdown;” debate over intent—crime vs. immigration enforcement. [05:29–06:18]
“President Trump has successfully stopped people from talking about the Epstein files and the economy… It's worked.” – Charlamagne [09:24]
- Brooklyn Nightclub Shooting: Two shooters among three killed; continued manhunt [07:14]
- Hurricane Aaron: Outer bands threaten US East Coast; rip currents close beaches [07:35]
- Smithsonian Row: Trump calls for a review of the Smithsonian Museum, attacking what he calls "woke" history [08:58]
- Texas Democratic Lawmaker Confinement: Nicole Collier claims illegal restraint after refusing a required police escort; protest erupts [33:16–37:40]
“This is just one little petty way of showing they have the upper hand.” – Rep. Collier [34:30]
- Baltimore Mayor Faces Racist Voicemail: Mayor Scott shares vile hate call, says it means he’s “doing his job” [38:09–40:29]
3. Latest With Lauren: Trending Entertainment News [20:22–27:32 | 72:22–78:48 | 104:41–111:13]
- Tamar Braxton Health Scare: Tamar recounts a mysterious injury and hospitalization after being found in a pool of blood, sparking speculation.
“Stories like that just lead to a lot of unnecessary speculation.” – Charlamagne [21:51]
- Mo’Nique v. Tyler Perry:
- Monique calls out Tyler Perry for derailing her career and demands a public apology and restitution.
“Tyler Perry, you will not do this to another... you told a lie.” – Mo’Nique [24:37]
- Jess and Lauren recall the origins: “That lie cost me 12 years of my career.” [24:37]
- Target CEO Steps Down: Brian Cornell’s resignation after 11 years, with ongoing sales decline and DEI backlash [72:22]
“I can't keep up with everything we supposed to boycott. I'm sorry.” – Lauren [27:51]
- Fat Joe & Gunna/Snitching Debate: Fat Joe praises Gunna’s album despite snitch allegations; spirited roundtable on hip-hop’s changing attitudes.
“It don’t matter. If you throw on a bop, a bop’s gonna bop. I could care less what he did in the courtroom.” – Charlamagne [76:28]
- Layla Ali v. Claressa Shields Potential Fight: Layla teases a comeback if the price is right, pushing women's boxing forward [108:47]
4. Interview: Laura Coates—Legal Analysis, Representation, and Media [41:08–71:38]
Insights & Notable Quotes
- Explaining Law to the Public:
“Never use a twenty-dollar word when a quarter word will do. You have to meet people where they are.” – Laura Coates [43:58] “If you can't explain it to a child, you don't understand it.” [43:58]
- The Power of ‘Why’:
“The toughest question you can ask a person is why.” – Charlamagne, recalling Larry King's advice [46:12] “The 'why' requires you to explain the way it was, how you've let it be, and also how you could change it. You’re being challenged in one word.” – Laura [46:33]
- Breaking Down Voting Rights & The Trump Era:
“If voting goes away, almost nothing else you want to argue about is important enough to counteract that.” – Laura [58:28] “Don't sleep on the Fourth Amendment... the more power you give officers... the more you live in a place where that goes away.” [58:28]
- On Jeopardy Hosting Snub & Representation:
“I was always very resentful of it, and I still am… It wasn't Alex Trebek's call who replaced him. Told me I have to examine power differently.” [66:20]
- Balancing Professionalism and Personality:
“The best advice I ever got was from Steve Harvey: I am the same person no matter where you see me. Just a different outfit, different hair, different lipstick…” – Laura [70:24]
- Discussion of legal nuance in recent trials (e.g., Diddy trial), racial representation among prosecutors, and sentencing disparities
5. Listener Call-Ins: HR Complaints Gone Wild [87:19–102:40]
- Topic: Most ridiculous reasons you (or your coworkers) were reported to HR
- “Have you ever been filed a complaint at HR? …A woman reported a co-worker for not being invited to her wedding!” [88:32]
- Funny stories about stick figure fat drawings, song lyrics misinterpreted as insults, and being caught sleeping at work
- Jess: “I never been sent to HR. I never sent nobody to HR. Right. There are times that I feel like I probably should have ended up…” [89:16]
- “The reason I am the way I am, is because if I ever go to HR, I want it to be funny!” – Charlamagne [102:26]
6. Donkey of the Day: Open Marriages Gone Wrong [79:12–85:18]
- Charlamagne spotlights a story of a woman who killed her husband after open marriage rules changed.
“What's the point of being married if you're gonna leave your marriage open at all times like a Waffle House?” – Charlamagne [83:02]
- Lighthearted (and darkly comic) take on relationships, boundaries, and impulsive decisions
7. Miscellaneous: Food Segment, Sponsor Moments & Closing Notes
- Golden Corral provides a huge breakfast spread in studio, sparking playful banter about buffet strategy and yeast rolls [112:30–115:27]
- Jess Hilarious thanks fans for helping her sell out MessyVision eyewear [111:15]
- Charlamagne’s Positive Note: “Great works are performed not by strength, but by perseverance.” [116:12]
Notable Quotes & Moments with Timestamps
- “I feel blessed, Black and highly favored. Happy to be here another day to serve our beautiful listeners.” – Charlamagne [02:24]
- “Stories like that just lead to a lot of unnecessary speculation.” – Charlamagne on Tamar Braxton [21:51]
- “You will not do this to another, as long as I can help it, because you told a lie.” – Mo’Nique on Tyler Perry [24:37]
- “If you can’t explain it to a child, you don’t understand it.” – Laura Coates [43:58]
- “Voting—if that goes away, nothing else you want to argue about matters.” – Laura Coates [58:28]
- “The toughest question you can ask a person is why.” – advice recalled by Charlamagne [46:12]
- “I've never been sent to HR, and I never sent nobody to HR. But there are times I probably should have ended up at HR.” – Jess Hilarious [88:40]
- “He was shot and killed... after his wife drank four or five Angry Orchard Hard Ciders.” – Charlamagne, Donkey of the Day [79:28]
Segment Timestamps (MM:SS)
- 02:15 – Opening banter, birthdays, show intro
- 05:24 – Front Page News I (crime, weather, Trump/Smithsonian)
- 13:03 – Callers: shout-outs and grumbles
- 19:16 – Trending Entertainment News (Tamar Braxton)
- 24:37 – Mo’Nique on Tyler Perry
- 33:16 – Front Page News II (Texas lawmaker, Baltimore mayor hate mail)
- 41:08 – Laura Coates in studio
- 58:28 – Laura on voting rights, policing, Trump-era laws
- 72:22 – Target CEO resigns
- 76:00 – Fat Joe & Gunna album debate
- 79:12 – Donkey of the Day: Open Marriage Murder
- 87:19 – HR complaint call-ins
- 104:41 – The Latest With Lauren (Life Jennings’ song, Layla Ali and women’s boxing)
- 111:15 – MessyVision eyewear plug / wrap-up
- 112:30 – Golden Corral segment
- 116:12 – Positive Note
Thematic Recap
Tone: Signature Breakfast Club blend—playful, irreverent, but able to shift gears for serious interviews and news.
Major Themes:
- Demands for accountability and public apologies (Mo’Nique, Target CEO)
- Evolving attitudes on justice, legal systems, music industry politics
- Representation and fairness in media and corporate America
- Real talk on workplace pettiness, relationships, and family
For listeners wanting an expert blend of major headlines, cultural debate, and authentic conversation—with both depth and plenty of laughs—this episode of The Breakfast Club delivers.