Chuck Lorre targets Donald Trump and RFK Jr. at Project Angel Food event

The Family Dynamic and a Refusal to Warm Up

When her renowned father called to ask if she would present him with a founders award at a Project Angel Food fundraiser, Nikki Lorre felt that she was obviously beyond honored and humbled.

Yet, the man behind countless television hits immediately started pitching his daughter jokes for the tribute. Nikki Lorre ultimately passed on taking any of his punchlines.

I’m not really going to come up here and be his warm-up act. His speech is going to be hilarious. It’s going to kill, and I don’t really want to compete with that, Nikki Lorre shared on Saturday evening while positioned upon an outdoor stage set up within the parking area of Project Angel Food’s headquarters in Los Angeles.

During her own remarks on stage, she reflected on her father’s empire: Over the course of my life, I’ve had the privilege of getting to watch my dad become this comedy icon. I’ve seen him take his skill and determination and build a literal empire, but I know, or at least it’s been told to me time and time again, that the inspiration for this career wasn’t to achieve greatness or even become wildly wealthy. It was to ensure that my brother and I had health insurance.

When the super producer and prolific philanthropist took the stage moments later, he started with a preamble thanking important figures in his life, introducing his TV director daughter by declaring, nepo baby, my ass — she’s the real deal.

Direct Jabs at Politics and Hollywood

An audience comprising Jay Sures (his UTA agent), top executives from Warner Bros. and HBO, along with creators from his active programs George & Mandy’s First Marriage and Stuart Fails to Save the Universe, listened as the 73-year-old creator delivered his remarks.

In writing and producing comedy, there’s an unspoken expectation that any speech I give will be funny, or at least try to be funny. As you can imagine, that puts a lot of pressure on me. Your laughter or lack thereof becomes inextricably tied up with my self-esteem, Lorre explained.

He continued by addressing the political climate directly: Sure, I’d love to stand here and talk about my deep yearning for a more compassionate government, one that prioritizes the health and welfare of its citizens. But the burden of my profession demands that I take this opportunity to say a few words about that bloated orange piece of shit in the White House.

After the audience laughed, Lorre expressed relief and continued his remarks. OK, I do have the right audience, he said. He then aimed a barb at First Lady Melania Trump, comparing her to Michelle Obama, before turning his attention to the Democratic National Committee.

I’d like to beg the Democratic National Committee to run from the suicidal insanity of the far-left woke culture in the coming election, [and] urge them to seek the common sense middle ground that emanates from the hard-working, blue-collar heart and soul of America. You bet I would. But once again, it’s not funny. So, I’ll just point out those hard workers will likely die of measles because Bobby Kennedy told them not to get vaccinated, Lorre stated.

He then dropped his tone to imitate Robert F. Kennedy Jr., quipping, I actually practiced that.

Lorre also took a lighthearted dig at Warner Bros., standing near studio executives Brett Paul, Channing Dungey, and Clancy Collins White. He singled out the late Bob Broder, noting, Bob made sure that Warner Bros. only stole a little money from me, thus allowing me to give a lot away. I shouldn’t say stole. That’s not fair. I should say bullshit overhead and distribution charges.

Attendees received copies of Lorre’s upcoming memoir, Sitcom, published by Dey Street Books. Addressing anyone mentioned in the pages, Lorre warned, If you happen to be mentioned in the book and you take issue with my recall of events, I recommend you write your own fucking book.

He concluded his speech by modifying the Serenity Prayer: God, grant me the serenity to no longer give a shit about all the stupid people in this country, the courage to say Donald Trump is a Russian asset who traded teenagers with Jeffrey Epstein, and the wisdom to end on a cheap laugh. Thank you very much.

Impact on Project Angel Food

The evening served as a major financial success for Project Angel Food, netting over $1 million. CEO Richard Ayoub announced the fundraising total, supporting the organization’s mission to deliver medically tailored meals to individuals facing critical illnesses.

Lorre’s philanthropic footprint has drastically changed the charity’s capacity, funding the $55.5 million Chuck Lorre Family Foundation kitchen and campus. His contributions have enabled the organization to triple its annual meal production from 1.5 million to over 4.5 million meals.

Reflecting on his partnership with Chuck Lorre Family Foundation president Trisha Cardoso, Lorre remarked, You have gracefully walked me through the mean streets of philanthropy, showing me how to turn money into hope. You’re also responsible for slapping my name on so many buildings that I’ve been getting prank phone calls from Haim Saban.

Musical Finale and Celebrity Attendance

Following the speeches, the event featured a performance by Barenaked Ladies. Lead singer Ed Robertson recalled how their involvement with Chuck Lorre shaped their career. We had sold a lot of records, we had hits all over the world, we built a fan base and worked really hard and then I wrote a 28-second song that changed the entire trajectory of our career. Thank you Chuck and Bill [Prady] for changing our lives, Robertson said, referencing the theme song to The Big Bang Theory.

The star-studded evening was hosted by Loni Love, with Caroline Rhea leading a live auction featuring items such as a Giorgio Armani Oscar weekend party package, a 2027 Dodgers VIP game day experience, and a South Africa safari adventure won by Sheryl Lee Ralph.