The O'Reilly Update, July 25, 2026

Summary

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Bill O’Reilly’s No Spin News and Analysis

The O'Reilly Update – July 25, 2026

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Episode Overview

This weekend edition of The O’Reilly Update breaks down pivotal national and international headlines, with a special focus on ongoing U.S.-Saudi negotiations, new U.S. tariffs targeting forced labor, a major criminal sentencing, and weather updates. Bill O’Reilly’s "Message of the Day" critiques the growing divide between urban and rural America and analyzes its political ramifications. The episode concludes with a historical feature on the tragic 1999 plane crash that claimed the life of John F. Kennedy, Jr., and the persistent lore of the "Kennedy Curse."

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Key Discussion Points and Insights

Top News Stories with Mike Slater (00:40–03:30)

• U.S.–Saudi Arabia Nuclear Deal Linked to Abraham Accords

  • The U.S. is close to striking a deal with Saudi Arabia to help them build nuclear power plants—but only for civil (non-military) purposes.
  • Key caveat: Saudi Arabia must join the Abraham Accords and normalize relations with Israel.
  • Israel’s PM Netanyahu described this as "a historic leap forward for peace in the Middle East."
  • Quote (01:15): "If [Saudi Arabia doesn't] join the Abraham Accords, the deal is off."

• New U.S. Tariffs Targeting Forced Labor

  • The U.S. will impose new tariffs of about 10–12.5% on imports from over 80 countries that produce goods with forced labor.
  • Previous efforts: The U.S. banned imports from Chinese regions using forced labor, and pressured Canada and Mexico to adopt similar standards.
  • Some progressives are suspicious, believing it's a backdoor approach to implementing Trump-era tariffs.
  • Quote (01:56): "Progressives, who you’d think would be in favor of this, they’re skeptical, saying this is just the Trump administration’s way of getting around the legality of tariffs."

• Minneapolis Murderer Sentenced to Life

  • A man who went on a murder spree, resulting in the deaths of a former House Speaker and her husband and the wounding of a state senator and his wife, received two life sentences plus 40 years.
  • The sentencing judge remarked, "It was the longest sentence I’ve imposed after hearing thousands of cases, but I believe it’s deserved." (02:43)

• Tropical Storm Bertha Hits Again

  • Bertha makes its second U.S. landfall, now crossing into Texas after impacting Louisiana.

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Bill O’Reilly’s Message of the Day: Urban vs. Rural Divide (04:10–06:00)

• Widening Inequality & Political Implications

  • O’Reilly focuses on the expanding disparity between urban and rural America, predicting it will define future voting patterns.
  • Points out that rural “folks” have sharply different views from city dwellers, a reality hurting the Democratic Party and aiding Trump and Republicans.
  • Asserts that progressives "are not really in touch with what I call the folks. They aren't interested in justice, incarceration."
  • Suggests moderate voters may dislike Trump but are unlikely to support what he refers to as the "far left loons."
  • Quote (04:30): "Progressives have little perspective. They are not really in touch with what I call the folks... rational people know this."
  • Quote (05:04): "Many Americans are finally waking up to the dangers posed by radical people. And that is a good thing."

• Poll Data & Electoral Trends

  • Cites a Washington Post poll: Democrats have slipped to 45% in the national vote, tying with the GOP.

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Listener Mailbag and 2020 Election Clarifications (06:00–08:00)

• 2020 Election Turnout

  • Listener "Steven Striffer" queries the jump from Obama’s 66 million (2012) to Biden’s 81 million votes (2020).
  • O’Reilly: Voter turnout fueled by anti-Trump sentiment; Trump “stimulates people going to the polling places.”
  • Quote (06:45): "Donald Trump is still a powerful emotional force in this country. He stimulates people going to the polling places."

• Election Irregularities & Federal Courts

  • Listener "Fred" challenges O’Reilly’s statements on election irregularities.
  • O’Reilly clarifies: No evidence of irregularity has been substantiated in federal court; no cases reached a judicial verdict.
  • Quote (07:16): "No lawsuits have been filed at the federal level that got into a jury situation or even a judge's admission, yes or no? There's nothing there."

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Historical Segment: JFK Jr.’s Fatal Flight & The ‘Kennedy Curse’ (08:00–10:57)

• Details of the 1999 Tragedy

  • Recaps John F. Kennedy, Jr.’s fatal plane crash off Massachusetts, recovered 27 years ago to the day.
  • National Transportation Safety Board conclusion: Inexperienced pilot, nighttime disorientation.
  • Describes the public’s fascination with the "Kennedy Curse": At least 24 premature Kennedy family deaths from assassinations, plane and car accidents, overdoses, and illness.
  • Most recent case: Tatiana Schlossberg, JFK’s granddaughter, died from leukemia at age 35.

• Memorable Fact:

  • Bill Clinton, 10 senators, and Muhammad Ali attended JFK Jr.’s private memorial.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Saudi Nuclear Deal:
  • "The president said if they don't join the Abraham Accords, the deal is off." – Mike Slater (01:25)
• On the Urban–Rural Divide:
  • "There's a big difference in point of view in the countryside as opposed to the big cities... That reality is hurting the Democratic Party right now and helping President Trump." – Bill O'Reilly (04:28)
• On 'The Folks':
  • "Progressives have little perspective. They are not really in touch with what I call the folks." – Bill O'Reilly (04:31)
• On Election Challenges:
  • "No lawsuits have been filed at the federal level that got into a jury situation or even a judge's admission, yes or no? There's nothing there." – Bill O'Reilly (07:16)
• On National Awakening:
  • "Many Americans are finally waking up to the dangers posed by radical people. And that is a good thing." – Bill O'Reilly (05:04)

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• U.S.–Saudi Nuclear Negotiations & Abraham Accords | 00:40–02:27
• Tariff Policy & Forced Labor | 02:27–02:57
• Minneapolis Murder Sentencing & Judge’s Reaction | 02:57–03:25
• Tropical Storm Bertha Update | 03:25–03:30
• O’Reilly’s "Message of the Day" on Urban–Rural Political Divide | 04:10–06:00
• Listener Mailbag: 2020 Election Turnout, Irregularities | 06:00–08:00
• JFK Jr. Crash Anniversary & ‘Kennedy Curse’ | 08:00–10:57

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Overall Tone & Takeaways

The episode maintains a brisk, factual tone with O’Reilly’s characteristic bluntness and skepticism toward progressive politics. News coverage is direct, emphasizing data, policy context, and the political implications of current events.

For first-time listeners:
Expect fact-driven reporting, pointed criticism of progressive trends, and historical context highlighting broader American themes—delivered in a style that avoids spin and prioritizes “just the facts.”

Transcript

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[Bill O'Reilly]

Bill O'Reilly here. You are listening to the weekend edition of the O'Reilly update. Coming up next, the news with Mike Slater.

[Mike Slater]

Thanks, Bill. Here's what's happening this week in America. Closer to a deal, new tariffs, sentenced to life. And Bertha makes landfall again. It's all coming up. Then. Bills are going to be here with your message of the day. But first, yesterday we reported on a rumor of a deal between America and Saudi Arabia that would help them build nuclear power plants. First thing to know, this is not the same as nuclear weapons. UAE has the only nuclear power plant in the region other than Iran. The president said the civil nuclear deal there will be no enrichment of material which pertains only to non military use will be approved. But here's the rub. It is totally subject to Saudi Arabia joining the very respected and successful Abraham Accords. The Abraham Accords, if you join it, it means that you formally normalize all relations with Israel, diplomatic and economic, Caroline Levitt said. The president said if they don't join the Abraham Accords, the deal is off. Netanyahu said Saudi Arabia joining the accords would be a historic leap forward for peace in the Middle East. America will impose new tariffs on over 80 nations, about 10 to 12 and a half percent. Why? This is against countries that import goods made with forced labor. Now, we've prohibited the importation of goods made with slave labor for 100 years, but this agreement still allows prison labor. In 2021, the United States passed a law banning imports from a region in China where forced labor was rampant. The Trump administration also pushed Canada and Mexico to adopt a prohibition on imports made with forced labor as a part of other trade negotiations. Ten countries have committed to a similar ban. Progressives who you think would be in favor of this, they're skeptical, saying this is just the Trump administration's way of getting around the legality of tariffs. This is issued under Section 301 of the Trade act of 1974. The male who wanted a murder spree a year ago in Minneapolis, killing the former House speaker and her husband, as well as critically wounding a state senator and his wife. That murderer was sentenced to two life terms plus 40 years. He pled guilty to the charges. This was his plea deal, so prosecutors didn't seek the death penalty. The U.S. district Court said it was the longest sentence I've imposed after hearing thousands of cases, but I believe it's deserved. The former speaker's husband's sister said it will not offer me peace of mind that he will have room and board provided for the rest of his life, paid for by my tax dollars. Tropical Storm Bertha has made its second landfall in the Gulf of America coast. The other day it went over the southeastern portion of Louisiana and now it is hitting Texas. And we'll travel across the state for the rest of the day today. I'm Mike Slater. From the podcast Politics by faith, Bill O'Reilly has your message of the day next.

[Mike Baker]

Hey, if you're here listening, you know you don't want spin, right? You know that Bill knows that Bill does not mess with the spin. You want it straight. So here's a straight recommendation. I'm Mike Baker, former CIA officer, and every day on the president's Daily Brief, I do for national security and geopolitics exactly what this show does for the news. No agenda, no hysteria, no opinion, just the facts. We tell you what's happening, you decide how to think about it. It's named for the brief that lands on the president's desk, and it runs every single day, 20 minutes in the morning, 10 minutes in the afternoon. Smart, fast, honest. Follow the President's Daily Brief on Apple, Spotify or wherever you listen.

[Bill O'Reilly]

Time now for the O'Reilly update. Message of the day. I'm thinking about inequality in the US the gap between the folks who live in big cities and those in rural areas is getting wider. That is the key to voting patterns in the future. There's a big difference in point of view in the countryside as opposed to the big cities like New York, Louisiana, Chicago, Miami, San Francisco. That reality is hurting the Democratic Party right now and helping President Trump and the Republicans. Progressives have little perspective. They are not really in touch with what I call the folks. They aren't interested in justice, incarceration. And rational people know this. It's all tied into the Democratic Party. They support the progressive movement. Now, voters may not like Donald Trump or his policies, but I don't think many of them are going to vote for the far left loons. They might stay home. A recent poll from the Washington Post finds Democrats are slipping in the national vote, 48% down to 45%. And that is a dead heat with the GOP. As the midterms loom, many Americans are finally waking up to the dangers posed by radical people. And that is a good thing. I'm Bill O'Reilly. I approve the message by writing it. You can reach me billorilly.com, billoriley.com name in town if you wish to opine. Now, let's go to the mail. Steven Striffer, Striffler, I was wondering if you could explain the following. Mr. O'Reilly, in 2012, Barack Obama received 66 million votes. In 2020, Biden got 81 million. Where did the 15 million extra votes come from? The hate Trump brigades. Donald Trump stipulated the votes. He got 77 this time around. 77 million. I mean, he's still a powerful emotional force in this country. He stimulates people going to the polling places. Fred, I'm going to withhold his last name because, again, we don't want Fred to get any grief, okay? Hey, Bill, you always say there's no evidence of election irregularity in 2020. That's not true. So you just misquoted me. What I said very, very clearly is that the cases have not been made in federal court. And then Fred goes on to say discovery was blocked in almost every case. Why are you one of the only people who doesn't know that? Maybe I'm not up to the job anymore, Fred. Okay, I telling you the truth, okay? No lawsuits have been filed at the federal level that got into a jury situation or even a judge's admission, yes or no? There's nothing there. And number two, discovery only happens when the lawsuit is in motion. In a moment, something you might not know. Now the O'Reilly update brings you something you might not know. 27 years ago, Navy divers recovered the bodies of John F. Kennedy, Jr. And two others after their small plane crashed into the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Massachusetts. Here is the tragic story of JFK Jr. S final flight. The young Kennedy was born Nov. 25, 1960, just a few weeks after his father was elected president. On his third birthday, John Jr. Attended the funeral of his assassinated dad. John remained in the spotlight for the remainder of his life. Famous for his good looks and adventurous spirit, he was frequently seen skiing, surfing or piloting his own aircraft. On the evening of July 16, 1999, John, his wife Caroline and Her sister took off from an airport in New Jersey. The total journey to Martha's Vineyard was less than 200 miles. The plane never arrived. On July 21, divers recovered the bodies. The wreckage was discovered 100ft underwater, just 8 miles from the coast. A private memorial was held in New York City. Attendees included President Bill Clinton, 10 sitting US senators and boxer Muhammad Ali. In his final report, the National Transportation Safety Board concluded the crash was caused by an inexperienced pilot who became disoriented in the dark and simply lost control of the plane. And here's something else you might not know. JFK Jr. S death renewed a national interest surrounding the so called Kennedy Curse. Since World War II, at least 24 members of the Kennedy family have suffered premature death. The grim tally includes two assassinations, five air crashes, five drug overdoses and four car wrecks. The most recent victim was Tatiana Schlossberg, the granddaughter. President Kennedy died last December from leukemia. She was 35 years old. Back in a moment. Thank you for listening to the O'Reilly update. I am Bill O'Reilly. No spin, just facts. And always looking out for you.

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