O’Reilly Update Morning Edition – February 18, 2026

Host: Bill O'Reilly
Theme: The Homelessness Crisis in California – Policy Failures and Political Spin

Episode Overview

In this morning update, Bill O'Reilly tackles the ongoing homelessness crisis in California, critiquing both state policy and political narratives. He examines the actions and philosophies of prominent figures—Barack Obama and Governor Gavin Newsom—and exposes the disconnect between massive government spending and the lack of measurable improvement. Drawing from firsthand conversations and recent audits, O’Reilly challenges official claims and highlights the deeper systemic issues at play.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Politicians' Perspective on Homelessness

• Barack Obama and Gavin Newsom’s Approach:
  • Both leaders advocate for the government's responsibility to provide "safe dwellings" for people living on the streets.
  • O’Reilly sums up their shared belief:

    “The government owes street people safe dwellings. That's what the men believe.” (00:14)

California’s Major Investment

• Cost vs. Result:
  • California has spent about $30 billion over the past five years on homelessness.
  • Despite this immense expenditure, “around 200,000 individuals remain on the streets, almost all of them substance abusers or mentally ill, often both.” (00:29)
  • O’Reilly frames this as a failed investment, noting,

    “$30 billion is a colossal amount of taxpayer money, especially when thousands remain on the street.” (01:20)

Firsthand Insights from the Street

• Having visited San Francisco during Super Bowl weekend, O'Reilly shares insights gained directly from those living on the streets:
  • State Housing Criticisms:
    • Facilities are “too dangerous.”
    • No drug testing required to enter, resulting in a lack of accountability.
    • Security is inadequate, allowing “violent pushers to run the state facilities.” (00:45)
  • These conditions discourage people in need from seeking state-provided housing.

Audit Findings and Data Issues

• Audit Conclusion:
  • O’Reilly quotes a California audit:

    “‘There is no reliable data to track expenditures free housing. So it’s chaos.’” (00:56)

  • Lack of reliable data leads to poor oversight and confusion over actual progress.

Political Spin Versus Reality

• O’Reilly accuses politicians of distorting the situation, especially when efforts fall short:
  • “Politicians almost always exaggerate reality, especially when policies fail.” (01:00)
• Governor Newsom’s Claim:
  • Newsom has stated that homelessness is down 9%, a claim O’Reilly questions:

    “But how would he know? The situation is chaotic. People go where the drugs are.” (01:06)

  • O’Reilly underscores the difficulty of tracking changes due to transience and the insufficient data infrastructure.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On California's Spending:

  "California spent approximately $30 billion over the past five years to house people. It has not worked." (00:19)

• On the Inadequacy of State Housing:

  "Often, state housing is too dangerous. They say there is no drug testing to get a place, little security in the buildings, and that allows violent pushers to run the state facilities." (00:42)

• On Political Exaggeration:

  "Politicians almost always exaggerate reality, especially when policies fail." (01:00)

• On Governor Newsom’s Claims:

  "Governor Newsom says homelessness in California is down 9%. But how would he know? The situation is chaotic." (01:05)

• Audit Report:

  “‘There is no reliable data to track expenditures free housing. So it's chaos.’” (00:56)

Important Timestamps

• 00:02 — Episode Introduction: Bill O’Reilly sets up the topic.
• 00:14 — Obama/Newsom philosophy on housing as a government duty.
• 00:19 — $30 billion figure and persistent homelessness.
• 00:29 — Demographics of homeless population.
• 00:45 — Dangers and ineffectiveness of state-provided housing (firsthand accounts).
• 00:56 — California audit exposes lack of reliable data.
• 01:00 — Politicians’ tendency to exaggerate.
• 01:05 — Critique of Governor Newsom’s homelessness reduction claim.
• 01:20 — Closing statement on massive state spending and persistent issues.

Summary

Bill O’Reilly uses the February 18, 2026, Morning Edition to deliver a pointed critique of California’s massive spending on homelessness and the lack of tangible results. Highlighting the alignment between Obama and Newsom on housing policy, he underscores the ineffectiveness of current strategies, the dangerous realities within government facilities, and the unreliable data tracking. O’Reilly frames political messaging as out of sync with the chaos on the ground, ultimately questioning the effectiveness and accountability of such high-profile, high-cost interventions.