Bill O’Reilly’s No Spin News and Analysis

Episode: No Spin News - TPM Edition – October 17, 2025

Date: October 18, 2025
Host: Bill O’Reilly

Episode Overview

This episode focuses on the historic release of hostages from Gaza, crediting President Trump's direct intervention for the breakthrough. Bill O’Reilly provides context, timeline, and analysis of the Middle East conflict, media and political reactions, and broader implications. The episode also covers President Trump’s role at the Charlie Kirk Medal of Freedom ceremony, and addresses criticisms and reactions from progressive voices and the media.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Hostage Release in Gaza & Trump’s Role

• Hostage Release: 20 living hostages were released by Hamas terrorists today, a direct result of President Trump’s efforts.
• Fear and Leverage: O’Reilly argues Trump’s perceived strength and unpredictability gave the U.S. leverage, especially over Iran.

  “…people fear Donald Trump and Iran in particular… So he's got leverage in there.” (O’Reilly, 00:55)

• Negotiation Timeline:
  • October 7, 2023: Hamas attacks Israel, murders ~1,200 Jews, kidnaps 251 people.
  • January 19, 2025: 33 hostages released; terrorists retained 44 (20 alive, 24 deceased).
  • Ongoing: Trump administration presses for full release.
  • Final Deal: Trump flies to Israel, then Egypt, then back—credited for orchestrating the deal (see Trump’s and Egyptian leaders’ remarks, below).
• Civilians in Conflict: O’Reilly stresses civilian deaths are tragic but “the nature of war,” not uniquely Israel’s fault.

  “…in every single war on this planet, innocent civilians get killed. It's just the nature of it. It's horrible, evil.” (O’Reilly, 02:35)

2. President Trump’s Remarks in Israel and Egypt

• In Israel:

  "It was a very tough period of time for so many families... But now, at last, not only for Israelis, but also for Palestinians and for many others, the long and painful nightmare is finally over..."
  (Donald Trump, 03:17-03:59)

• In Egypt (regarding Egypt’s mediation):

  “…[Egypt] played a very important role with Hamas…because Hamas respects this country and they respect the leadership of Egypt.”
  (Donald Trump, 04:34-04:53)

3. Regional and Political Alliances

• Arab Support: O’Reilly contends most Arab states collaborated due to anti-Iran sentiment and economic motivations:
  • Iran is “loathed by most Arabs”.
  • Ongoing conflict is “bad for business” in the Gulf.

4. U.S. Media & Political Reaction

• Media Instructions: O’Reilly cites sources claiming CNN and ABC’s "The View" were told not to attack Trump over the hostage release, signifying an implicit acknowledgement of his success:

  "CNN talent, air talent, was ordered not to hammer Trump... The View on ABC was also told to tone it down." (O’Reilly, 08:47)

• Progressive Silence: High-profile progressives (Bernie Sanders, Elizabeth Warren, AOC) and outlets offered little response, indicating uncertainty on how to handle Trump’s achievement.
• Obama and the Peace Deal:

  “Maybe [President Obama] should acknowledge the president that brokered it.” (O’Reilly quoting Abby Phillip, 10:01)

• Media Deflection:
  • Limited media coverage; attempts to downplay or “move on” from Trump’s victory.

5. Criticism and the Progressive Response

• The "Bully" Narrative: CNN commentator suggests Trump's “bully” status enabled the deal:

  "Donald Trump is often criticized for behaving like a bully on the world stage, but that is exactly what him to get this deal done." (CNN Commentator, 10:59)

• O'Reilly's Response:

  "You don't have to use the word bully because that's not what he is. What Trump is is a strong man..." (O’Reilly, 11:17)

6. The Nobel Peace Prize and John Legend’s Critique

• Nobel Snub: O’Reilly feels Trump deserved the Nobel Peace Prize, but liberal Norwegian judges refused.
• John Legend’s Dismissal: Legend, a progressive entertainer, downplays Trump’s actions and criticizes U.S. policy:

  "If Trump is able to actually earn the peace prize, it probably won't be enough that he's helped bring peace to the Middle East... He'd have to stop sending Black Hawk helicopters to terrorize people while they sleep in their apartment buildings in Chicago." (John Legend, 15:52-16:32)

• O’Reilly’s Counter: Challenges Legend’s (and by extension, progressive) belief in moral equivalence and “collective punishment”:

  "...what are you going to do then? ...It's just dumb. And that is my big problem with the progressive movement. It's stupid. It has no solution to any problems." (O’Reilly, 20:03)

7. Biden and Clinton’s Official Reaction

• Biden Statement: Acknowledged Trump’s “work to get this renewed ceasefire deal over the finish line”; O’Reilly says Biden’s administration failed during its tenure, but doesn’t object to the statement itself.

  "...I command President Trump and his team for their work to get his renewed ceasefire deal over the finish line..." (Biden, as read by O’Reilly, 22:28)

• Clinton: Issued “a very strong statement in favor of Donald Trump’s actions.”

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

| Timestamp | Speaker | Quote/Context | |-----------|-----------------|--------------| | 00:55 | O’Reilly | “People fear Donald Trump and Iran in particular… So he's got leverage in there.” | | 03:17 | Donald Trump | “It was a very tough period of time… the long and painful nightmare is finally over…” | | 04:34 | Donald Trump | “You played a very important role. I appreciate it very much.” (On Egypt) | | 08:47 | O’Reilly | “CNN talent… was ordered not to hammer Trump on this situation.” | | 10:01 | Abby Phillip (via O’Reilly) | “Honestly, it's not unfair to say if President Obama's going to write a whole post about a peace deal, maybe he should acknowledge the president that brokered it.” | | 10:59 | CNN Commentator | “...but that is exactly what him to get this deal done…” (on Trump’s “bully” reputation) | | 11:17 | O’Reilly | "What Trump is is a strong man. ... Not a bully." | | 15:52 | John Legend | "If Trump is able to actually earn the peace prize, it probably won't be enough that he's helped bring peace to the Middle East." | | 16:32 | John Legend | "...the so-called peace president who’s ending wars around the world would also have to stop declaring war. War on the American people." | | 19:24 | John Legend | “No matter what political disagreements… those kids are innocent... their lives are just as valuable, just as valuable as Israeli lives.” | | 28:51 | Erica Kirk | "But now I can say with confidence, Mr. President, that you have given him the best birthday gift he could ever have." (on Trump's honoring of Charlie Kirk) |

Major Segments & Timestamps

• Opening & Hostage Release Timeline: 00:01–03:59
• Trump’s Role & Arab Involvement: 03:59–04:53
• Media and Political Reactions: 08:47–11:17
• Progressive Critique & John Legend’s Comments: 15:52–20:03
• Biden and Clinton’s Statements: 21:00–24:00
• Charlie Kirk Medal of Freedom Ceremony: 24:52–30:16
  • Trump and Erica Kirk’s speeches: 27:57–30:16

Additional Highlights

Charlie Kirk Medal of Freedom Ceremony

• President Trump honored the late Charlie Kirk in an emotional ceremony attended exclusively by Republicans and conservative media.
• Erica Kirk gave a heartfelt tribute:

  "...I told him every single year, I said, baby, I love your birthday... But now I can say with confidence, Mr. President, that you have given him the best birthday gift he could ever have." (Erica Kirk, 28:51-30:16)

• O’Reilly noted the absence of Democrats and respectful press coverage—except MSNBC which ignored the event.

Overall Tone & Closing Thoughts

• O’Reilly is openly critical of what he sees as progressive “dishonesty,” “deflection,” and the inability to recognize Trump’s accomplishment, while taking a victory lap on Trump’s behalf.
• He reiterates the persistence of partisan divides, arguing media and political opponents will “move on as fast as they can.”
• The episode closes with a call to listeners to seek further context on related controversies on his YouTube channel, and a final commentary on deeper issues behind progressive critiques.

For full context and deeper analysis, listeners are encouraged to visit BillOReilly.com and his YouTube channel.