The O'Reilly Update – August 29, 2025

Host: Tony Katz (filling in for Bill O’Reilly)
Theme: Major headlines in America, political and social stress, flag burning commentary, and a curious shortage of cottage cheese.

Episode Overview

Tony Katz, guest-hosting for Bill O’Reilly, reviews the day's key U.S. news stories, examines social and political anxieties, and delivers a personal message about free speech and American values—specifically addressing the debate on flag burning. The episode closes with an unexpectedly entertaining take on America’s sudden obsession with cottage cheese.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Major National and International News [00:30–03:23]

• Minnesota Catholic School Shooting:
  • New developments in the tragic case:
    • Suspect identified as Robin Westman, a 23-year-old transgender person.
    • Westman’s handwritten notes included the line:

      "I am tired of being trans. I wish I never brainwashed myself."
      (Tony Katz quoting Westman) [00:54]

    • Outcome: Two children killed (ages 8 and 10); 17 others injured.
• Ukraine Under Assault:
  • Massive Russian airstrike on Kyiv as peace talks falter.
  • At least 19 casualties, including four children.
  • Buildings tied to the EU and UK damaged.
  • Occurred shortly after President Trump hosted Putin in Alaska.
• State of American Democracy:
  • Perceptions of Government Study:
    • 51% of Americans fear democracy could "disintegrate within their lifetime".
    • Only 26% feel democracy is safe for future generations.
    • Bipartisan finger-pointing: “Most voters from both parties accuse the other side of posing an existential threat…” [02:10]
• Politics & Physical Health:
  • University of Nebraska Study:
    • 4 in 10 Americans cite politics as a significant daily stressor.
    • 25% blame constant news for headaches.
    • 5% feel political discussions trigger suicidal thoughts.
    • Researchers blame social media and the never-ending news cycle.

2. Message of the Day: Flag Burning, Free Speech, and American Values [04:30–11:10]

• Katz’s Position on Flag Burning:
  • “I think burning the American flag is silly. It's never made any sense to me. However, I don't think it should be against the law.” [04:35]
  • Despite agreeing with much of President Trump’s agenda, Katz opposes his executive order banning flag burning.
  • Recalls his early career, when he provocatively posted a “flag burning kit” on his website to provoke discussion on free speech:

    “It was about the idea that burning the American flag was something that was protected. This is free speech.” [05:00]

• On the Importance of the First Amendment:
  • “The First Amendment does not exist for the speech that you love. It exists for the speech and the people that, that you hate because someone out there hates you… and you still have a right to say it.” [05:55]
  • Katz now sees his younger approach as “silly,” but remains a "vehement" free speech advocate.
• On Respect for the Flag and American Narratives:
  • Advocates for changing minds through education and example rather than law:

    “The best way to get people not to burn the flag is for us to be a society that talks about what the flag represents, not what the left wants you to believe the flag is.” [06:45]

  • Pushes back on reducing America solely to its flaws:

    “It is not that we're a nation built on slavery. It's that we are a nation that had slavery and knew enough to create a system, a constitution, to end it and to get better, to form that more perfect union.” [08:20]

  • Urges Americans to model reverence for the flag, including during daily rituals like the national anthem.
• Closing Thoughts:
  • “When it comes to the law… yes, you can burn the American flag. And I do believe that the executive order from President Trump isn't accurate, but what we should be doing is showing all the reasons why no one but a fool would ever burn the American flag.” [09:55]
  • Ties the discussion to Labor Day, calling for reflection on shared values and history.

3. Something You Might Not Know: Cottage Cheese Shortage [11:10–15:10]

• Unexpected Trend:
  • America is facing a shortage of cottage cheese, thanks to a surge fueled by social media health trends.
  • Influencers are promoting high-protein, low-carb recipes featuring cottage cheese.
• Personal Take:
  • Katz humorously admits:

    “In my entire radio career, I never thought I'd utter the phrase, but it turns out that everybody is cottage cheese crazy.” [11:25] “I'm going to stick, as I said, with regular cheese because I like cheese. I'm a huge fan of cheese. I'm not going to lie. I love cheese.” [14:30]

  • Organic Valley sales reportedly up 30% in just the first half of 2025.
  • Dairy consumption has matched record highs from 2023.
• Broader Point:
  • Katz marvels at changing health fads and America’s ability to fixate on particular trends.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Democracy’s Fragility:
  “A majority of Americans now believe democracy in the United States is in danger of disappearing… Most voters from both parties accuse the other side of posing an existential threat…” [02:10]

• On Free Speech:
  “The First Amendment does not exist for the speech that you love. It exists for the speech and the people that, that you hate…” [05:55]

• On Patriotism Through Example:
  “When the national anthem plays, we're not busy doom scrolling on our phones. Rather, we stop what we're doing, we put our phone away, we take off our hat, and we pledge allegiance to that flag.” [07:25]

• On Cottage Cheese Hysteria:
  “No longer is cottage cheese for the people who are retired there in the villages. No. Cottage cheese is now ubiquitous.” [13:00]

Important Timestamps

| Time | Segment | |-----------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 00:30 | Tony Katz opens with news roundup | | 00:54 | Details on Minneapolis school shooting and suspect quote | | 02:10 | Survey on American democracy's fragility | | 02:50 | Study on political stress and its health consequences | | 04:30 | Message of the day: Free speech, flag burning, and American values | | 07:25 | Remarks on respecting the flag and reinforcing American narratives | | 09:55 | Katz’s closing argument on legality vs. morality of flag burning | | 11:10 | “Something You Might Not Know”: Cottage cheese shortage and America’s health fads | | 13:00 | Cottage cheese leaves the retirement home, enters mainstream culture | | 14:30 | Katz’s passionate love for actual cheese |

Summary

This episode balances weighty current events—school violence, international conflict, democratic anxiety—with a thoughtful meditation on free speech and patriotic behavior. Tony Katz makes a persuasive case for respecting American symbols by example rather than law, cautioning against both censorship and cynicism. And, in classic O’Reilly Update fashion, it ends on a light-hearted note, lampooning the nation’s sudden scramble for cottage cheese.

For listeners and non-listeners alike, this episode is a blend of sobering analysis, principled commentary, and just enough humor to keep it all relatable.