Bill O’Reilly’s No Spin News and Analysis

Episode: Reactions to Jimmy Kimmel’s Return, Shifts in the Media Landscape with John Malone, & PBS/NPR Turn to Far-Left Donors

Date: September 25, 2025
Host: Bill O’Reilly

Overview

In this episode, Bill O’Reilly dissects the fallout and ongoing controversy surrounding Jimmy Kimmel’s return to late night TV after inflammatory comments about conservatives, delves into the broader free speech debate, and highlights the shifting nature of the media landscape. He interviews media mogul John Malone about CNN’s ideological transformation, discusses the reliance of PBS/NPR on left-leaning donors, and reviews recent polling data on the Trump administration and the political climate.

Main Topics & Key Discussion Points

1. Jimmy Kimmel’s Return & the Free Speech Debate

[01:11 – 12:42]

• Fatigue Over Kimmel Coverage:
  O’Reilly expresses frustration at the repetitive nature of the Kimmel controversy, noting the media’s tendency to paint Kimmel as a free speech "victim" (01:11).

  "No matter what I do worldwide, the media has stamped Mr. Kimmel a victim in the freedom of speech debate, which is totally bogus."
  (Bill O’Reilly, 01:11)

• Kimmel’s Return Monologue:
  Kimmel was unrepentant but not arrogant, opting not to apologize for controversial remarks about Trump supporters and the death of Charlie Kirk:

  • Thanks to fellow late-night hosts for support.
  • Jokes about potentially being offered a job in Germany due to alleged authoritarianism in the U.S. (04:07)

"This country has become so authoritarian. The Germans are like, come here."
(Jimmy Kimmel, 04:30)

• Kimmel Addresses the Controversy:
  Kimmel attempts to clarify that he never intended to make light of tragedy or assign blame but acknowledges that those upset have valid reasons.

"If you like me, like me. If you don’t, you don’t. I have no illusions about changing anyone’s mind… I understand that to some that felt either ill timed or unclear or maybe both. And for those who think I did point a finger. I get why you’re upset."
(Jimmy Kimmel, 05:19)

• O’Reilly’s Assessment & Advice:
  O’Reilly calls Kimmel “a fanatic” for repeatedly injecting politics, urges him to stop being a zealot, and rebukes ABC for fostering ideological echo chambers.

"Stop being a zealot. I know you go to cocktail parties, you all hang out in Hollywood and you're all the same mindset, but stop being a zealot. That's not what ABC hired you to do, even though they allow you to do it."
(Bill O’Reilly, 08:12)

• The Myth of Government Censorship:
  O’Reilly debunks Kimmel’s implication that government officials tried to silence his show, stating the backlash was entirely grassroots and local.

"No government official try to coerce the companies that take Kimmel show off the air... The company nexstar reacted to its local viewership which was outraged about what Jim said. They got thousands of complaints. That's why the controversy erupted."
(Bill O’Reilly, 07:21)

• Advice for President Trump:
  Urges Trump to focus on major issues (Russia, China, grocery prices) rather than feuding with late-night hosts.

"The Putin Ukraine nuke situation, that is off the chart dangerous. The Chinese situation... The rising prices of groceries in America, those are the Jimmy Kimmel doesn't mean anything to this country."
(Bill O’Reilly, 08:41)

2. Media Echo Chambers, Polls, and Political Narratives

[12:42 – 22:15]

• Reactions from Other Media & Charlie Kirk’s Organization:
  O’Reilly critiques other media for distorting the free speech angle and points out the lack of ideological diversity on liberal outlets.

“Mr. Kimmel isn't fostering any conversation about free speech because he doesn't allow any non liberal voices on his program. And this stuff happens every single day.”
(Bill O’Reilly, 13:01)

• Charlie Kirk Polling Data:
  Discusses a Rasmussen poll about Kirk’s reputation and how different political camps view his death (respectful debater vs. hateful speaker).

• Fact-Checking Kamala Harris:
  Challenges claims made by VP Harris about Trump’s economic record, particularly unemployment and inflation, and analyzes new polling showing Republicans favored on the economy, crime, and immigration.

"Grocery prices, December 24, 1.8% annual increase now 2.7. There is the vulnerability for Donald Trump. Somehow, some way, the Republicans have got to try to bring down those grocery prices."
(Bill O’Reilly, 16:27)

3. Interview: John Malone on CNN & Media Evolution

[22:15 – 29:59]

• Malone’s History in News:
  John Malone shares his deep involvement in TV news, from the early days of CNN to the creation of CNBC and investments in Fox News.

• CNN’s Slide Left:
  Discusses his suggestion (met with internal backlash) that CNN differentiate between news and opinion—echoes Fox’s successful model. Explains that CNN’s shift was accelerated by Fox News emerging as a right-leaning competitor, creating a binary landscape.

"I suggested that they follow the Fox model a little more closely and just label news news and label opinion opinion and maybe even have, you know, a guest column or two."
(John Malone, 25:25)

• O’Reilly on Lack of Ideological Diversity:
  O’Reilly recounts how Fox News, during his prime-time presence, always sought out opposing views—contrasts with current CNN and the broader trend of excluding dissenting voices.

"My orders to my staff were find the smartest person you can who disagrees with me... And we put them on. Now on cnn... I can't get booked."
(Bill O’Reilly, 27:09)

• Business Side & Imminent Changes:
  Malone notes his limited influence as a mere director/shareholder and predicts CNN may be sold soon, urging a potential pivot back to hard news.

4. PBS/NPR & the Shift to Private, Ideological Funding

[29:59 – 32:00]

• Private donors, including left-leaning major foundations, have filled funding gaps after government budget cuts, essentially shifting public media to be reliant on ideological money rather than taxpayer funds.

"Knight Foundation, Ford Foundation, MacArthur Foundation, Schmidt family foundation, all of them. And they all pool their money and they're given 100 million instead of 50... Pump as much money as you want in there."
(Bill O’Reilly, 30:46)

5. Polling, Breaking News, and Global Developments

[32:00 – 36:18]

• Trump Administration Polling:
  Dissects a Reuters poll showing Trump’s approval numbers and the public’s party preferences on policy areas, noting apparent contradictions.

• Ukraine Conflict:
  Mentions unconfirmed reports about Ukrainian strikes on Russian oil refineries.

• Mexico’s Violence:
  Dramatizes the scale of cartel-related murders and disappearances, emphasizing the resulting instability and lack of cooperation from Mexican leadership.

• Socio-Economic Observations:
  Warns against “punishing” wealthy Americans, arguing their consumption is essential to the economy.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Kimmel’s Media “Victim” Status:

  “The media has stamped Mr. Kimmel a victim in the freedom of speech debate, which is totally bogus.” (Bill O’Reilly, 01:11)

• Kimmel’s Reflection:

  “Our freedom to speak is what they admire most about this country. And that’s something I’m embarrassed to say I took for granted until they pulled my friend Stephen off the air and tried to coerce the affiliates who run our show...That’s not legal. That’s not American. That is un-American.”
  (Jimmy Kimmel, 06:29)

• O’Reilly’s Call for Open Dialogue:

  “When you ban all non liberal voices on your show, which is what you've done for three years. Talk about freedom of expression violations. All five of the liberal networks have banned every single non liberal voice. That's Putin's stuff.”
  (Bill O’Reilly, 08:12)

• John Malone on CNN’s Direction:

  “CNN has great journalists, but they all are educated from the left.” (John Malone, 27:58)

Key Timestamps for Segments

• Jimmy Kimmel Monologue & Analysis: 01:11 – 12:42
• Media Critique, Kirk Poll, Fact-Checking Harris: 12:42 – 22:15
• John Malone Interview (CNN & News Evolution): 22:15 – 29:59
• PBS/NPR Donor Discussion & Polling: 29:59 – 32:00
• Global & Economic Issues: 32:00 – 36:18
• Final Thoughts & Upcoming Content: 36:18 – End

Tone & Language

Throughout, O’Reilly combines his characteristic bluntness and skepticism about media narratives with a voice of seasoned experience (“I’ve been in the business 50 years”). He is direct, occasionally sarcastic, and challenges both left-leaning and right-leaning figures, advocating for factual clarity and more open debate—though with his firmly conservative perspective.

For Listeners New to the Episode

This episode distills the larger debate about the media’s role in exacerbating political divisions—using Kimmel’s controversy as a case study. It also provides a rare insider’s view on how television news became polarized, underwritten by business interests and donor ideologies. O’Reilly’s advice to both Jimmy Kimmel and Donald Trump is to deescalate the media feuds and focus on issues that actually impact national life, while his discussion with John Malone offers a sober assessment of why outlets like CNN drifted left.

The episode is a blend of critique, behind-the-scenes anecdotes, critiques of polling, and calls for a return to a more pluralistic dialogue in public life.