O'Reilly Morning Edition, August 3, 2026

Summary

O'Reilly Morning Edition – August 3, 2026

Host: Bill O’Reilly

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Episode Overview

This episode focuses on the controversy surrounding former President Joe Biden’s book deal and the recently publicized “Biden tapes.” Bill O’Reilly unpacks the process behind Biden’s memoir, details about his ghostwriter, and the legal battle over the ghostwriter’s notes. O’Reilly analyzes political reactions, implications for media coverage, and accountability for those who "propped up" Biden.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

Biden’s Book Deal and Ghostwriting

• $8 Million Book Deal:
  Former President Joe Biden received $8 million to write a book, but according to O'Reilly, he isn't responsible for the actual writing.

• Ghostwriter Identified:
  Biden's ghostwriter is identified as Mark Zawitzker, described as a “hired gun” who took extensive notes during conversations with Biden.

• Publishing Industry Practice:
  O'Reilly explains the typical process: a ghostwriter does the work, the publishing company credits the public figure, and the ghostwriter receives minimal or no public credit.

  “Former President Joe Biden was paid $8 million to write a book, but he didn’t really write anything because he’s incapable of doing that. Instead, he hires a ghostwriter.”
  — Bill O’Reilly (00:37)

Legal Battle Over the "Biden Tapes" and Notes

• Federal Court Involvement:
  A federal court recently requested Mark Zawitzker’s notes because of a lawsuit seeking the information.

• Biden’s Legal Objection:
  Biden tried to block access to the notes, but lost in court.

  “Earlier this month, the federal court said, hey Mark, we want to see those notes... Mr. Biden, of course, objected. He lost.”
  — Bill O’Reilly (01:18)

Content of the Ghostwriter Tapes

• Biden’s Demeanor:
  O’Reilly claims Biden sounded “totally befuddled” on the tapes.

• Admission of Classified Materials:
  Allegedly, Biden admitted to keeping classified material “downstairs” during his conversations with the ghostwriter.

  “During the conversation with his ghostwriter, it’s obvious the former president was totally befuddled. Also, he admitted to keeping classified material, quote, downstairs.”
  — Bill O’Reilly (01:34)

Political and Media Reactions

• Partisan Divide:
  O’Reilly argues the audio release won’t sway public opinion:

  • Progressives dismiss any wrongdoing by Biden.
  • Conservatives see it as part of a cover-up aided by sympathetic media outlets.

• Media Accountability:
  O’Reilly emphasizes a lack of accountability for those who supported and elevated Biden.

  “The audio is not going to change anyone’s mind. Progressives will pretend there’s absolutely nothing wrong with old Joe. Conservatives see this as yet another cover up by outlets sympathetic to the Democratic Party. However, one thing is clear. The people who propped up President Biden should be held accountable, but they won’t be.”
  — Bill O’Reilly (01:46)

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Memorable Quotes & Moments

• On Ghostwriting:
  “That’s the way it works. So a guy named Mark Zawitzker takes extensive notes as he talks to former President Biden. He is the hired gun, the hired ghostwriter.”
  — Bill O’Reilly (01:02)

• On the Impact of the Tapes:
  “The audio is not going to change anyone’s mind… one thing is clear. The people who propped up President Biden should be held accountable, but they won’t be.”
  — Bill O’Reilly (01:46)

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Timestamps for Important Segments

• [00:32] – Introduction to the “Biden tapes” topic
• [00:37] – Discussion of Biden’s book deal and role of ghostwriter
• [01:02] – Identification of Mark Zawitzker as ghostwriter
• [01:18] – Court orders release of ghostwriter’s notes, Biden’s objection and loss
• [01:34] – O’Reilly’s analysis of Biden’s recorded statements
• [01:46] – Political implications and media accountability
• [02:52] – End of content

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Summary

Bill O’Reilly scrutinizes the recent court-ordered release of notes and tapes from President Biden’s ghostwriter Mark Zawitzker. He details industry practices of ghostwriting for public figures, asserts that the tapes reveal Biden in a confused state, and that he admitted to storing classified documents at home. O’Reilly believes the tapes won’t shift entrenched partisan views but underscores his concern about the lack of accountability for those who “propped up” Biden and the ongoing role of partisan media in shaping the narrative.

Transcript

[A]

This episode is brought to you by Claude by Anthropic. Claude is the AI for minds that don't stop at Goodenough. It's the collaborator that actually understands your entire workflow and thinks with you. Whether you're debugging code at midnight or strategizing your next business move. Claude extends your thinking to tackle the problems that matter and finds connections you might have missed for problems worth solving. Get started at Claude AI Spotify.

[B]

Bill O'Reilly here and I'm warming up standby for the O'Reilly Update Morning Edition. On this Monday. I'm thinking about the so called Biden tapes. Former President Joe Biden was paid $8 million to write a book, but he didn't really write anything because he's incapable of doing that. Instead, he hires a ghost writer. That's an author who actually does the work. The publishing company then puts Biden's name on the COVID and maybe the ghostwriter gets a little bit of credit. That's the way it works. So a guy named Mark Zawitzker takes extensive notes as he talks to former President Biden. He is the hired gun, the hired ghost rider. Earlier this month, the federal court said, hey, Mark, we want to see those notes. And the federal court did that because there was a lawsuit to get the information. Mr. Biden, of course, objected. He lost. Now, during the conversation with his ghostwriter, it's obvious the former president was totally befuddled. Also, he admitted to keeping classified material, quote, downstairs. The audio is not going to change anyone's mind. Progressives will pretend there's absolutely nothing wrong with old Joe. Conservatives see this as yet another cover up by outlets sympathetic to the Democratic Party. However, one thing is clear. The people who propped up President Biden should be held accountable, but they won't be. Back in a moment.

[A]

This episode is brought to you by Claude by Anthropic. Claude is the AI for minds that don't stop at good enough. It's the collaborator that actually understands your entire workflow and thinks with you. Whether you're debugging code at midnight or strategizing your next business move, Claude extends your thinking to tackle the problems that matter and finds connections you might have missed for problems worth solving. Get started at Claude AI Spotify.

[B]

That is the morning O'Reilly update. More analysis later on.