The O'Reilly Update: December 29, 2025

Host: Mike Slater (filling in for Bill O'Reilly)
Podcast Theme: No Spin News—Concise reporting and commentary on key domestic and international events, with a spotlight on an explosive investigative video exposing alleged government fraud in Minnesota. The episode also critically examines the holiday Kwanzaa and its origins.

Main Theme & Purpose

This episode delivers major headlines from the U.S. and around the globe, including coverage of severe winter weather, geopolitical tensions, and a viral exposé alleging massive daycare-related fraud in Minnesota. Host Mike Slater (subbing for Bill O’Reilly) dedicates the message of the day to this exposé, dissecting both its content and the individual behind it. The show closes with a critical investigation into the origins and cultural significance of Kwanzaa.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. National & Global Headlines

[00:10-03:00]

• Severe Blizzard Conditions:

  • "40 million people going to be living in blizzard conditions today and tomorrow in the United States. Particular blizzard warnings for Grand Rapids and Fargo, North Dakota, Rochester, Minnesota, Mason City, Iowa and Michigan's Upper Peninsula." (B, 00:30)
  • Winter Storm Ezra is expected to bring heavy snow and high winds, migrating east toward Maine.

• Weather Extremes Across the U.S.:

  • Noted contrast: The South had a "hot Christmas" (Dallas: 79°F, Atlanta: 71°F), but both regions will experience sharp temperature drops.

• Ukraine-Russia Peace Efforts:

  • Ukrainian President Zelensky visits Mar-a-Lago; U.S. President expresses optimism about peace negotiations.
    • "A reporter said, Mr. President, do you think Putin is serious about peace this time? The president said, I do. I think he is. I think they both are." (B, 01:29)
  • CNN reports progress but highlights “thorny issues” remaining.

• Chinese Military Drills Around Taiwan:

  • China launches "Mission 2025" with extensive military mobilization around Taiwan.
  • Taiwan's government condemns the drills as acts of intimidation.
    • "Taiwan's government condemned the drills and accusing China of military intimidation." (B, 02:09)
  • Follows an $11.1 billion U.S.-Taiwan arms deal.

• Viral Video on Minnesota Daycare Fraud:

  • Independent journalist Nick Shirley uncovers alleged $110 million daycare fraud in Minnesota.
  • "This YouTuber found daycares that received $110 million last year. And don't daycare any kids." (B, 02:53)

2. Deep Dive: Nick Shirley’s Viral Exposé

[04:08-08:09]

Who is Nick Shirley?

• "Nick Shirley, in his own words, is a 23-year-old, 100% independent YouTuber who 'has never touched drugs or alcohol, is a virgin and has devoted many years in missionary service.'" (B, 04:15)
• Slater speculates Shirley may become a target for political smear campaigns due to his controversial revelations.

Key Findings from Nick Shirley’s Video:

• Shirley's 42-minute video, now at over 100 million views—one of X/Twitter's most-watched ever.

• He exposes multiple daycare centers in Minnesota:

  • "One address has three daycare centers. The daycare centers are licensed to care for 102 children. They've received $2.6 million last year. There were no children there." (B, 04:46)
  • Many centers have “blacked out” windows, are locked, or have glaring misspellings (e.g., "leering" instead of "learning").
  • All reportedly Somali-run centers.

• On-the-Ground Encounters:

  • When Shirley inquires about enrolling a child, staff either pretend not to understand English or flee.

• Scope of Alleged Fraud:

  • "Nick Shirley went from daycare to daycare, found $110 million in fraud in one day of driving around town." (B, 05:52)
  • Some buildings house multiple home health care businesses, also under scrutiny.

Political Fallout:

• Slater suggests the revelations could threaten the career of Governor Tim Walz.
  • "Because he may have ended the career of Governor Tim Walz by fully reporting on the amount of Somali led fraud in Minnesota." (B, 04:27)
  • References Minnesota’s financial shift: an $18 billion surplus to a $6 billion deficit within two years.

Notable Endorsements:

• "J.D. Vance, our thank God actual vice president... said that Nick Shirley has done more useful journalism than any of the winners of the 2024 Pulitzer Prize." (B, 06:14)

Context & Rhetoric:

• Slater contends this exposure had been ignored due to political correctness: "No one could say anything because first of all, you'd be called racist. But it would also prove Trump right... and it might make immigrants and migrants look bad." (B, 06:34)

Broader Call-to-Action:

• Slater encourages decentralizing investigative journalism to hold corrupt systems accountable:
  • "My hope is that this not only takes down a massive fraud industrial complex across the country, but that this inspires thousands of YouTubers to do the job that the media should have been doing..." (B, 07:13)

3. Segment: Something You Might Not Know – Critique of Kwanzaa

[08:32-12:00]

• Slater offers an unsparing history and critique of Kwanzaa:

  • "Kwanzaa... is a fake, stupid communist holiday. Sesame Street celebrated it the other day... Elmo said, H is for holiday, and that was the holiday they went with, the Marxist one." (B, 08:36)
  • Asserts Kwanzaa was invented in 1966 by Ronald Everett (became Maulana Karenga), labeling him a "Marxist activist and black separatist."

• Covers Karenga’s criminal convictions, violent history, and eventual academic appointment.

  • "Just before he became a professor, he was arrested and convicted for felony assault for torturing two women... After he was released from prison, that's when Cal State Long beach hired him..." (B, 09:32)

• Motives attributed to Kwanzaa’s creation: to offer an alternative to Christmas, denounce Christianity as a “white religion.”

• Slater downplays prevalence and authenticity:

  • "But we're still supposed to pretend like it's one of the holidays of the holiday season, like, like we all have memories of Kwanzaa songs growing up. And I love the Charlie Brown Kwanzaa special." (B, 09:58)
  • Suggests Festivus (from Seinfeld) is a more genuine alternative.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On daycare fraud:

  • "Those two daycare centers are right next to each other. Same parking lot... all run by Somalis." (B, 05:07)
  • "Couldn't get the sign right. Nick Shirley went from daycare to daycare, found $110 million in fraud in one day of driving." (B, 05:47)

• On political response and media:

  • "J.D. Vance... said that Nick Shirley has done more useful journalism than any of the winners of the 2024 Pulitzer Prize." (B, 06:14)
  • "But when we have a decentralized attack by thousands of Nick Shirley's, what can they do then?" (B, 07:36)

• On Kwanzaa:

  • "Kwanzaa, if you don't know, is a fake, stupid communist holiday." (B, 08:36)
  • "So to be clear, the founder of Kwanzaa is a total lunatic. And he made up this holiday that. I don't know if anyone celebrates it today." (B, 09:46)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [00:10] – Major headlines: weather, international affairs, viral video preview
• [02:53] – Introduction to Nick Shirley’s daycare fraud exposé
• [04:08] – Message of the Day: Deep dive into the exposé and author’s background
• [08:32] – “Something You Might Not Know”: Origins and critique of Kwanzaa

Tone & Style

The episode is delivered with the direct, combative, and occasionally sardonic style that defines the "No Spin News." Mike Slater, filling in, channels O’Reilly’s brisk and skeptical approach, especially when highlighting media failures and government mismanagement. Quotations and expositional asides provide rhetorical punches and occasional humor.

For those who missed the episode:
You’ll get a snapshot of major news—from severe storms and delicate diplomatic moves, to the story behind a 100-million-view exposé alleged massive Minnesota fraud. You’ll also hear an unabashed critique of Kwanzaa’s origins and contemporary relevance, delivered in Slater’s unmistakably provocative tone.