THE PEOPLE'S DONKEY

Summary

The Breakfast Club – "THE PEOPLE'S DONKEY" (May 1, 2026)

Episode Overview

This episode of The Breakfast Club, hosted by DJ Envy and Charlamagne Tha God (with Jess Hilarious absent from the aired portion), features the recurring Friday segment "The People's Donkey." Listeners are invited to call in and nominate anyone they feel deserves the "donkey" label for foolish behavior, including celebrities, public figures, and even the show’s own hosts. In this episode, the conversation is dominated by listener feedback on the new Michael Jackson biopic and criticism—especially of Charlamagne’s on-air conduct.

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Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Listener Critique of the Michael Jackson Biopic (02:18–03:56)

• Caller "Bon Irene" calls in to nominate everyone praising the recent Michael Jackson movie as her "donkey." She argues the film doesn't do his legacy justice:
  • “I want to give the donkey to everybody who was saying the Michael Jackson film was great. Donkey. Donkey. All of them. All of them.” (02:25, Bon Irene)
  • She describes the film as a "montage" of music videos and "very superficial."
• Charlamagne Tha God admits he hasn't seen the movie yet but plans to, acknowledging that capturing such an iconic figure on screen is difficult:
  • “I think it is hard to capture a larger than life character like that on screen.” (03:20)
• DJ Envy defends the film, saying it covers important aspects of Michael’s life including his childhood, his relationship with his father, and his musical genius:
  • “It showed him as a kid growing up, how his father used to beat him... It also showed why he loved animals...the moment where he stood up to his dad.” (03:31, Envy)
• Lighthearted Banter: Charlamagne jokingly speculates about the origins of the "moonwalk" tied to Michael escaping a beating, stressing the comedic tone of the conversation.

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2. Charlemagne Receives "Donkey" Nomination for On-Air Conduct (04:24–08:45)

Caller "Catherine" Criticizes Charlamagne (and Envy, to a lesser degree):

• Catherine calls to nominate Charlamagne for "Donkey of the Day," pointing out how his handling of a caller discussing the weight loss drug Zepbound was insensitive:
  • “You really dogged her out...You always talk about mental health and all of that. And this lady could have gone through trauma when she was younger...” (04:33–04:53, Catherine)
• She accuses him of potentially hurting vulnerable listeners and suggests the show is too aggressive with personal questions.
• Catherine humorously roasts Charlamagne’s pronunciation and short stature:
  • “You talk about people saying act or ask. You write books, and you say library. Library has an R in it.” (05:40–05:49, Catherine)
  • “When you go see the Michael movie, I think you need to get your little step stool...look in the mirror and make that change.” (05:54–06:15, Catherine)
• She expresses her continued support for the show despite Charlamagne's style:
  • “I do have a choice not to listen, but I still listen anyway and support because I love the show.” (06:51–06:58, Catherine)

Charlamagne and Envy Respond:

• Charlamagne accepts the criticism with good humor:
  • “Nothing you said is wrong and I'm not offended.” (08:45, Charlamagne)
  • He stresses that he isn’t insulted by comments on his height or character, equating listener feedback with honesty.
• Envy explains background processes, noting that producers usually screen calls, but technical issues allowed Catherine through unscreened.
• Envy also shares his views on weight loss shots, suggesting some use them as an "easy way out":
  • “A lot of people do use Ozempic and that is Zepound as alternative to actually going to the gym...for a lot of people it is an easy way out.” (08:48–08:59, Envy)
• The hosts reiterate their approach is rooted in playful banter typical of their relationship with listeners.

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3. Reflections on Listener-Host Dynamics & Mental Health (09:45–10:39)

• Charlamagne defends the show’s ethos of roasting each other and listeners, emphasizing mutual respect and a culture of jokes:
  • “Jokes are a part of having healthy mental health. The people that call into this show...I can dish it, I can take it. That’s the beauty of The Breakfast Club.” (10:02–10:18, Charlamagne)
• The hosts share anecdotes about interacting with fans at events, noting how listeners playfully tease them in person as well:
  • “You know how many people walk with me at the Black Effect Festival with jokes?” (10:20–10:24, Charlamagne)
• Envy affectionately clarifies a recurring misconception about his ethnicity:
  • “I’m not Dominican, by the way, everybody out there, Black Effect Festival, Envy, why you here? You Dominican? No, I’m not Dominican.” (10:26–10:31, Envy)

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Bon Irene (on the Michael Jackson biopic):
  • “It did not do him justice at all...I feel like it was a montage of, like, a music video...very superficial.” (02:49–03:20)
• Envy (defending the film):
  • “To say it's whack and trash, that's a stretch.” (03:56)
• Catherine (roasting Charlamagne):
  • “When you go to the bathroom in the morning, get up on it [a step stool] and look in the mirror and make that change.” (05:54–06:15)
• Charlamagne (on criticism):
  • “None of this offends me because it's true.” (07:01, 08:45)
• Envy (on weight loss drugs):
  • “Those shots, for a lot of people—not everybody—is a cop out.” (08:59)
• Charlamagne (on show culture):
  • “Jokes are a part of having healthy mental health...I can dish it, I can take it.” (10:02–10:18)

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Important Timestamps

• 02:18: Caller Bon Irene criticizes the Michael Jackson movie.
• 03:31: Envy details what the movie includes about Michael’s life.
• 04:24: Catherine calls to give Charlamagne "donkey" for insensitivity.
• 05:40: Catherine delivers humorous jabs at Charlamagne’s speech and height.
• 06:58: Catherine expresses ongoing support for the show, despite her criticisms.
• 08:48: Envy explains his view on weight loss drugs as a shortcut.
• 10:02: Charlamagne explains the show's joking culture.

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Episode Tone

The tone is classic Breakfast Club: direct, funny, and unapologetically blunt, with plenty of mutual roasting between hosts and callers. Even heated criticism is handled with humor and self-deprecation, reinforcing the show's "dangerous" but playful morning vibe.

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Summary prepared for listeners who want the highlights and dynamic spirit of The Breakfast Club’s "THE PEOPLE'S DONKEY" segment (May 1, 2026).

Transcript

[Podcast Announcer]

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[Cheryl Strayed]

Hi, everyone. I'm Cheryl Strayed, author of Wild and Tiny Beautiful Things. I'm excited to share that I have a new podcast called Mind Over Mountain. In each episode, I interview athletes, adventurers, and adrenaline seekers to discuss the inner lamps that informed and inspired their extraordinary feats. So we, too, can better understand how to face our own seemingly insurmountable challenges. Listen to Mind Over Mountain every Thursday on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Tom Boger]

American Soccer is about to explode.

[Tab Ramos]

The World cup is coming.

[Advertisement Voice]

Ramos sending on Ernie Stewart the chip score.

[Tab Ramos]

I'm Tab Ramos.

[Tom Boger]

I'm Tom Bogle. On our podcast, Inside American Soccer, you'll get the real storylines, the biggest decisions, and the truth about the U.S. national team.

[Tab Ramos]

It wouldn't be a huge surprise if our team ends up in the quarterfinals or potentially a great run into the semifinals.

[Tom Boger]

Listen to Inside American Soccer with Tom Boger and Tab ramos on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

It's your time to nominate a donkey of your own. Remember now, that is how they ch. Call in now. 800-585-1051. Donkey Today for Friday, May 1, is the People's donkey. You know, we give y' all the chance to call in and give somebody the credit they deserve for being stupid. You can give somebody the biggest he haw. So. Good morning. Who's this?

[Bon Irene]

What's up? This is Bon Irene.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Bon Irene who? You want to get a biggest he haw to Bon Irene?

[Bon Irene]

I want to give the donkey to everybody who was saying the Michael Jackson film was great. Donkey. Donkey. All of them. All of them.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

I haven't seen it yet. I'm going this weekend, though.

[Envy]

It is great. I loved it.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Nah, nah, it's not.

[Bon Irene]

It's not great. It's like y' all forgot who Michael was. Yo, y'.

[Envy]

All.

[Bon Irene]

Y' all was here when Michael was here.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Who is Michael?

[Bon Irene]

That film was not great.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Tell me what you mean. Nobody. What do you mean? What do you mean we forgot who Michael was?

[Bon Irene]

I mean, like, the film just didn't do him justice. It did not do him justice at all. I mean, I heard when Laura. Yeah, my bad. Lauren. Lauren LaRosa, when she was saying that, you know, there was some trials and tribulation that they couldn't do some stuff, which makes sense. That's probably why the movie was whack. They had to, you know, get rid of a lot of stuff. But I feel like it was a montage of, like, a music video or someone in reenacting his music videos. That's what it felt like. Well, it was very superficial.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Well, I'm gonna go this weekend. I haven't seen it yet. I'm gonna go this weekend, though. But I mean, yo, it's everybody that I know that has seen the movie. They thoroughly enjoyed it. But I mean, I think it is hard to capture a larger than life character like that on screen.

[Envy]

It was. I don't think it was a montage. I think it showed his life to a certain aspect. It showed to the 1988. It showed him as a kid growing up how his father used to beat him. That had nothing to do with videos. It also showed why he loved animals and why he moved the way that he moved, what he did, the moment where he stood up to his dad. It did show a lot of his performances in a lot of his music, how he created the beat it. How he created and got the ideas for some of the songs. So I wouldn't saying is whack and trash. That's a stretch.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Isn't that how he invented the moonwalk? He stood up to his dad, and then Joe really got buck and said, I'll beat your ass. And then he moonwalked behind. Is that. That's not true, yo.

[Envy]

No, that is not true. Are you serious?

[Charlamagne Tha God]

He was about to get beat and

[Envy]

then just started sliding across.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Yo, that's what somebody told me. I don't know. I didn't see the movie. I'm going this weekend.

[Envy]

That is not true.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

I think Michael was really a clown, yo, he played too much. What is you doing? My bad, dad. You know, Homer Simpson was moonwalking, too. When he walked back into them bushes, you remember?

[Envy]

Shut up, man.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Good morning. Who's this?

[Catherine]

This is Catherine.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Hey, Catherine. Who you want to get the biggest he, too.

[Catherine]

I want to give the biggest donkey to you, Charlemagne.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Oh, Lord, what I do?

[Catherine]

Yesterday, when the lady called about Zepbound, you really dogged her out. And, you know, you asked her. You know about her. Well, one of you guys asked her about her height and her weight, and you always talk about mental health and all of that. And this lady could have been. She could have gone through trauma when she was younger. She could have been teased when she was younger about her weight, and she called to talk about not getting the help that she needed from her insurance company. Charlemagne. And you really go in on people. I don't know if you guys have people call in and, you know, make crank calls so you guys can dog them out, but Charlamagne, come on.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

I don't think she had a problem with it. We were going back. It wasn't even.

[Catherine]

I think she had a problem with it because she didn't want to get embarrassed on the phone. But when she got off that phone call, you don't know what she could have went through. Charlemagne.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

We talk. We talk to the people before, you know, we. We go live with them, man.

[Catherine]

And talk to me before you went live.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Oh, you might not have been worth talking to. And I'm just playing. I just said that. I just said that because you say I'll be dogging people out. That's all.

[Catherine]

I want to go all in on you.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Yes, ma'.

[Envy]

Am.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

I do, actually.

[Catherine]

Okay, look, you talk about people saying act or ask. You write books, and you say library.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

I do.

[Catherine]

Library has an R in it.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Okay, you're correct.

[Envy]

Come on, girl.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

You got to get. I know. I'm with you.

[Catherine]

You haven't seen the Michael movie, but the pastor just came on this morning and talked about change and. And being forced to change. And so when you go to see the Michael movie, I think you need to get your little. Get your little step stool. And when you go to the bathroom in the morning, get up on it and look in the mirror and make that change.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Oh, okay. You're right.

[Envy]

That was a good one. Yeah, it was a little stumbling.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

But here's the thing. None of this. None of this.

[Catherine]

Look, she got a third one.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

But none of this.

[Catherine]

Offensive morning. So. And I have gone all this time and never called in because I love listening to Jess Mimi mv. I love it. You. I. Not so much. You're a semi celebrity. You know, you just go all in on people, and it's difficult for me sometimes to listen because of you.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

But you know what?

[Catherine]

Tolerate it. But I don't like it.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Well, listen.

[Catherine]

And I do have a choice not to listen, but I still listen anyway and support because I love the show.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Thank you.

[Catherine]

You need to make that change. Charlamagne.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Well, listen, none of this offends me because it's true. You said I'm short. Okay, he said ugly. You said what else? You said. What else you said.

[Catherine]

You say library.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Library.

[Catherine]

I mean, listen, I would order one of your books just to read it for the content to see if there's typos in it. Not really for the content because I'm not really interested in it. But I love to read it, you

[Charlamagne Tha God]

know, but this is my thing. None of this offends me because it's true. Just like if somebody calls up here and tells us that they're on a weight loss medication and then we ask them they height and weight and they tell us that's true truth.

[Catherine]

I mean, why would you do that? Why aren't you all in on Blue Cross Blue Shield? I work in corrections and Blue Cross Blue Shield just made a huge change that affected a lot of people's lives. So you ought to be a little more careful. And you know,

[Charlamagne Tha God]

but the gist of the phone call yesterday was literally about us dogging Blue Cross Blue Shield, but your ears decided to focus on just the aspect of the call you didn't like.

[Catherine]

No, it wasn't.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Yes, it wasn't.

[Catherine]

It wasn't for that you on the butt end of the phone call to oh, Blue Cross Blue Shield. No, you were all in on what's your height, what's your weight. Oh, and Envy, you said, oh, there is a gym and yes, there is a gym. But some people need help on the beginning part of that to temper crazy.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

So why you not mad at Envy? You ain't got no. You don't got no criticism for Envy

[Envy]

because she love us. This is donkey of the day, sir. This is your donkey.

[Catherine]

I got criticism for you because you if it was just a sprinkle here and there like Envy, you know, that would be I, I could tolerate that. But you are. You even go in all in on your employees and that might be yalls relationship and yalls years, but you little man, you got a problem.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

You're right.

[Envy]

Thank you, mama.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Nothing you said is wrong.

[Catherine]

Napoleon syndrome.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Nothing you said is wrong and I'm not offended.

[Envy]

I will say this though. Yes, I think a lot of people do use Ozempic and that is Z pound as alternative to actually going to the gym. I think for a lot of people it is an easy way out. A lot of people will not go to the gym.

[Catherine]

And.

[Envy]

And because that shot is available, they'll take that shot even when they don't necessarily need to lose that much of weight. So I do feel like those shots for a lot of people. Not everybody is a cop out. And Charlamagne doesn't know what he's talking about. Yes, we do screen the calls today. You got through without us screening because our producer.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Oh, they not here.

[Envy]

And another one woke up late. So that's the reason why. But yes, we do screen the calls and speak to the people before. You just got through because two producers weren't here.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

And also, I'd like to say that yesterday we actually told the woman she wasn't fat when she told us her height and her weight.

[Catherine]

Right.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

I just want to throw that out there as well. We actually told her she was not fat.

[Envy]

Right. She was just trying to get snatch.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

That's right. All right. That was the people's donkey. We do that every Friday. You can call in and give somebody the credit they deserve for being stupid, even if it's me. Okay? So 1-800-585-1051. Remember that for next Friday.

[Envy]

And you gotta watch Charlemagne just because when the lady says something about me, he goes, why you ain't going in on Envy, just me?

[Charlamagne Tha God]

How you throw me in it? Because she said it. She said that in Envy gonna say that that girl need to go to the gym. So I'm just trying to figure out why you ain't got no smoke fan.

[Envy]

Cuz you miss the mental health, she said.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

And jokes are a part of having healthy mental health. That's true. Okay? The people that call into this show the same way that woman could give it to me, right? I can dish it. I can take it. That's the beauty of the Breakfast Club. That's the relationship we have with our listeners. Okay?

[Envy]

You can take it. That's right. All right.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

We clown each other in the street. You gotta see. You know how many people walk with me at the Black Effect Festival with jokes?

[Envy]

Me too.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

You see what I'm saying?

[Envy]

I'm not Dominican, by the way, everybody out there, Black Effect Festival, Envy, why you here? You Dominican? No, I'm not Dominican. By the way.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Yes. You think it hurts me to hear, Man, I thought you were six feet tall. You sound six feet tall on the radio.

[Advertisement Voice]

I'm short.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

I don't care.

[Envy]

It's all right. When we come back, RZA will be joining us. He has a new movie called A spoon of chocolate. We'll talk to him about it when we come back. So don't go anywhere.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

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 horns.

[Advertisement Voice]

Most Mother's Day gifts end up in a drawer, but a song lives in the heart forever. This year, tryjoybox.com is giving away 1 million free custom songs to celebrate 1 million incredible moms. Just share a few memories and Joybox produces an original track and greeting card just for her instantly. It's the most personal gift you'll ever give, and right now it's completely free. Make mom the star of her own song at try joy box.com 1,000,000 songs $0 [e-mail] yes you can.

[Envy]

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[Charlamagne Tha God]

Give it a try.

[Envy]

Come join our sweat sesh on TikTok.

[Cheryl Strayed]

Hi everyone. I'm Cheryl Strayed, author of Wild and Tiny Beautiful Things. I'm excited to share that I have a new podcast called Mind Over Mountain. In each episode, I interview athletes and adventurers and adrenaline seekers to discuss the inner landscapes that informed and inspired their extraordinary feats so we too can better understand how to face our own seemingly insurmountable challenges. Listen to Mind Over Mountain every Thursday on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Tom Boger]

American Soccer is about to explode.

[Tab Ramos]

The World cup is coming.

[Advertisement Voice]

Ramos sending on Ernie Stewart the chip score.

[Tab Ramos]

I'm Tab Ramos.

[Tom Boger]

I'm Tom Vogt. On our podcast, Inside American Soccer, you'll get the real storylines, the biggest decisions, and the truth about the U.S. national team.

[Tab Ramos]

It wouldn't be a huge surprise if our team ends up in the quarterfinals or potentially a great run into the semifinals.

[Tom Boger]

Listen to Inside American Soccer with Tom Boger and Tab ramos on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcast.

[Podcast Announcer]

This is an iHeart podcast. Guaranteed Human.