The O'Reilly Update, December 6, 2025

Summary

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Podcast Summary: The O'Reilly Update – December 6, 2025

Host: Bill O’Reilly
Notable Contributor: Mike Slater
Duration: ~14 minutes (excluding advertisements)

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Episode Overview

This weekend edition of The O’Reilly Update delivers a rapid-fire briefing of the nation's top news stories, Bill O'Reilly's commentary on media transparency and "fake news," and a fact-based segment digging into the escalating U.S. crackdown on narco-states. The tone is skeptical of mainstream media, patriotic, and focused on delivering what the host claims are unvarnished facts and perspective.

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Key News Highlights (with Mike Slater)

Segment starts at 00:40

• Pipe Bomber Arrest (01:00)

  • FBI arrests Brian Cole, Jr. almost 5 years after pipe bombs were planted at the RNC and DNC on Jan 5, 2021.
  • Cole was identified through bank records and cell phone data; he worked for a bail bond company linked with lawsuits against ICE and the Trump administration.
  • Quote:

    "Court documents revealed that bank records showing purchases of pipe bomb material and cell phone tower data were used to identify Brian Cole, Jr." (Mike Slater, 01:20)

• Capitol Hill Briefing: Admiral Frank Bradley (01:50)

  • Bradley briefs Congress on a drone strike (Sep 2) against drug traffickers in the Caribbean.
  • Division among lawmakers:
    • Sen. Tom Cotton: “I did not see anything disturbing about the video…” (02:35)
    • Rep. Jim Himes: “I reviewed the video and it's deeply, deeply troubling.”
  • Political context: Some want Sec. of War Pete Hegseth ousted over alleged war crimes.

• International Peace: The Washington Accords (02:55)

  • Trump brokers a peace deal between Congo and Rwanda, ending a multi-decade conflict.
  • Noted as a historic moment, signed at the US Institute of Peace.
  • Quote:

    “We have come to the US Institute of Peace to sign a historic agreement that will end one of the longest running conflicts anywhere in the world…” (Mike Slater citing Trump, 03:09)

• Economic Updates (03:12)

  • 30-year mortgage rates down to 6.19%
  • Jobless claims fall to 191,000 (lowest since Nov 2022)
  • Record holiday spending, with 203 million shoppers over Thanksgiving weekend (up from 197 million last year).

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Bill O’Reilly’s Message of the Day: “Fake News, Then and Now”

Segment starts at 04:15

• Historical Roots of "Fake News" (04:16)

  • O’Reilly claims Benjamin Franklin invented fake news in 1782, using a fabricated newspaper to criticize King George and colonial loyalists.
  • Modern media is characterized as even more “audacious” in bias and omission.

• Media Critique (04:35)

  • Accuses “liberal press” of spinning negative stories about Trump and ignoring positive news.

    • Examples: Falling gas prices ($2.95/gal), plummeting mortgage rates, and a boom in the stock market.

  • “Not boosterism” for Trump, but a warning of widespread consumer/media deception.

  • Notable quotes:

    “Old Ben would be surprised at today's media, I believe, because it is so audacious.” (Bill O’Reilly, 04:25)

    “Many good people are being misled by the American media. And overall, the press cannot be trusted in this country. Those people are not looking out for us.” (Bill O’Reilly, 05:30)

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Listener Mailbag: Cabinet Controversies & Election Strategy

Segment starts at 06:30

• Question on Trump Cabinet Grandstanding (06:34)

  • Listener “Pierce” suggests Trump should rein in vocal cabinet members (Hegseth, Patel, Noem).
  • Co-host replies:

    “They have a right to put forth their point of view as heads of departments. I don't have any beef with that… I want the departments to run efficiently.” (Co-host, 06:53)

• Midterm Elections & Republican Messaging (07:07)

  • Listener “Arthur” doubts Trump can win midterms alone; stresses need for Republican unity and clarity on policy benefits.
  • Bill agrees, stating:

    “The president can spell out vividly next year and he's going to have to do this why his policies are improving the lives of all Americans. That is paramount for him.” (Bill O’Reilly, 07:32)

• Trump and O’Reilly’s Influence (07:56)

  • O’Reilly jokes that Trump is aware of his “Message of the Day,” suggesting some degree of interaction/influence.

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“Something You Might Not Know”: Narco-State Escalation

Segment starts at 09:40

• Venezuela and Cartels (09:41)

  • Trump orders military strikes and closes Venezuelan airspace to combat drug cartels.
  • DOJ indicted Maduro and 14 aides (March 2020, under Biden) for drug trafficking.
  • Maduro’s regime labeled a “foreign terror organization” by Trump, permitting military action.

• Regional Context and Cartel Activity (10:30)

  • Colombia: Site of global drug trade’s growth under Pablo Escobar; today, 95% of U.S.-bound cocaine originates here.
  • Ecuador: Now a key transit hub—government emergency measures have failed; 10,000 citizens killed or kidnapped by cartels in the last year.

• Venezuela’s Decline (11:55)

  • O'Reilly paints a bleak picture of Venezuela, formerly the wealthiest South American nation in 1997, now second-poorest after Haiti.

• Quote:

  “The socialist government of Nicolas Maduro has brought widespread misery to Venezuela. In 1997, our country was the wealthiest nation in South America. Now, next to Haiti, it's the poorest.” (Bill O’Reilly, 11:55)

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Notable Quotes & Moments

• On Media Omission:

  “ABC and NBC News failed to mention that. Mortgage rates also falling. Little notice by the press.” (Bill O’Reilly, 05:00)

• On Historic Peace Progress:

  “A historic agreement that will end one of the longest running conflicts anywhere in the world. With far more than 10 million people killed...” (Mike Slater, 03:00)

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• [00:40] News Recap with Mike Slater
• [03:33] Intro to Precious Metals (ad)
• [04:15] O’Reilly’s Message of the Day: Fake News origins & Media critique
• [06:30] Listener Mailbag (Cabinet controversies, Election strategy)
• [09:40] “Something You Might Not Know”: War on Narco States in South America

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Tone & Language

• Tone: Assertive, skeptical, brisk; critical of mainstream media and government inefficiency; patriotic with an emphasis on U.S. strength and leadership.
• Language: Blunt, direct, occasionally sardonic; positions the listener as someone in need of “just facts” and “no spin.”

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Summary for Listeners

If you missed the episode, you’re up to date on a dramatic week: a long-hunted pipe bomber arrested, new tensions over drone strikes in the drug war, a surprise African peace accord, record U.S. economic outputs, and O’Reilly’s sharp warning about media bias. Stick around for his deep dive on South America’s narco-state crisis—an area he claims the mainstream media largely ignores.

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For full columns and daily updates, O'Reilly invites listeners to visit BillOReilly.com.

Transcript

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[Bill O'Reilly]

BILL o'reilly, Here you are listening to the weekend edition of the O'Reilly update. Coming up next, the news with Mike Slater.

[Mike Slater]

Thanks, Bill. Here's what's happening this week in America. Pipe bomber arrested admiral to Capitol Hill, the Trump peace summit and big economy news. It's all coming up. Then Bill's going to be here with your message of the day. But first, the FBI has arrested almost five years later a suspect in the pipe bombs that were planted at the RNC and DNC on January 5, 2021. Investigators later determined that these were viable explosives that if detonated, could have resulted in serious injury or death. The FBI offered a reward of half a million dollars to anyone who provided information leading to the arrest of the suspect. Court documents revealed that bank records showing purchases of pipe bomb material and cell phone tower data were used to identify Brian Cole, Jr. He worked for a bail bond company run by his father that worked to free illegal immigrants from ICE facilities and also sued the Trump administration's Department of Homeland Security. More information on Brian Cole, Jr. Surely to come. Navy Admiral Frank Bradley went to Capitol Hill last night to brief lawmakers in the House and the Senate about details of a September 2nd attack on a drug boat in the Caribbean. Now, the background to this is do you remember the seditious six? These are congressmen and senators who made a video telling service members to not obey unlawful orders. And when they were asked what unlawful orders and they had no answer, the media was there to cover for him. And they went back to September 2, a drone strike on a drug trafficking boat where there were reportedly two survivors. After the initial strike and another strike was ordered, the left has been claiming war crimes to try to get Pete Hegseth to no longer be the secretary of war. Senator Tom Cotton said he did not see anything disturbing about the video. He said the operation was witnessed by hundreds of uniformed and civilian personnel, including dozens of lawyers at the Pentagon, Fort Bragg and other outposts. Congressman Himes, Democrat from Connecticut, said, I reviewed the video and it's deeply, deeply troubling. President Trump met with the president of the Congo and the president of Rwanda, where They signed a historic peace agreement called the Washington Accords to bring an end to a decades long conflict between these two countries. The President said, in this holy season, we prepare to celebrate the birth of the Prince of Peace. We have come to the US Institute of Peace to sign a historic agreement that will end one of the longest running conflicts anywhere in the world. With far more than 10 million people killed, the average rate on a 30 year mortgage fell this week. Average is now 6.19%. U. S jobless claims fell to 191, 000. That's the lowest since November of 2022. People are spending a lot of money. A record 203 million shoppers turned out from Thanksgiving to Cyber Monday. That's up from 197 million shoppers last year and breaks the all time record from 2023. I'm Mike Slater. From the podcast Politics by faith, Bill O'Reilly has your message of the day next.

[Bill O'Reilly]

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[Bill O'Reilly]

From the Better Business Bureau. You can trust American Hartford Gold as I do. Please call 866-326-5576 or text bill to 998-899. Again, that's 866-326-5576, or text bill to 998-899. Time now for the O'Reilly update. Message of the day. Did you know that fake news was started by Benjamin Franklin? Bet you didn't. In 1782, he created a phony newspaper that pounded King George and the colonists who supported the king. Old Bam would be surprised at today's media, I believe because it is so audacious. Not only does the liberal press spin stories that damage political opponents like President Trump, it also ignores important situations that may put the President in a favorable light. Here's some backup. Last week the national average for a gallon of regular gas fell to $2.95, down 8 cents from last year and falling. ABC and NBC News failed to mention that. Mortgage rates also falling. Little notice by the press. In addition, the stock market is booming, helping most American investors gain financial ground. Now, this is not boosterism for President Trump. It's simply a warning. Many good people are being misled by the American media. And overall, the press cannot be trusted in this country. Those people are not looking out for us. I'm Bill O'Reilly. I approved the message by writing it. You can reach me, Bill, at billoriley.com billoriley.com name in town if you wish to opine. Okay, let's get to the mail.

[Co-host or Guest Commentator]

We got Pierce, who's a concierge member.

[Bill O'Reilly]

Pierce says, I think Donald Trump needs to do a far better job of.

[Co-host or Guest Commentator]

Explaining some of the controversies.

[Bill O'Reilly]

Hegseth Patel, Noem. He should tell them to quit their.

[Co-host or Guest Commentator]

Narratives and quiet down. Why these cabinet members cannot just remain silent, do their jobs without constant grandstanding is beyond me.

[Bill O'Reilly]

I don't know.

[Co-host or Guest Commentator]

You might be being a little harsh there. They have a right to put forth their point of view as heads of departments. I don't have any beef with that. I want the departments to run efficiently. That's what I want. I don't care what they say.

[Bill O'Reilly]

Arthur, concierge, remember, President Trump cannot win the midterms himself.

[Co-host or Guest Commentator]

He has to rely on other people.

[Bill O'Reilly]

And the people are just not going.

[Co-host or Guest Commentator]

To vote for Republicans as a party. I think you are right. But the president can spell out vividly next year and he's going to have to do this why his policies are improving the lives of all Americans. That is paramount for him. He is tied in with, he's got to control the House and Senate next year.

[Bill O'Reilly]

Donald Trump's pretty good at that.

[Co-host or Guest Commentator]

But he's got to be.

Very clear about everything.

[Bill O'Reilly]

Donald, do you share your message of the day with President Trump? No. He knows. Billoriley.com he knows what we're doing.

[Co-host or Guest Commentator]

I know that because he asked me.

[Bill O'Reilly]

About it all the time.

And I have a message of the.

[Co-host or Guest Commentator]

Day about what is necessary to protect the Trump administration because it's coming. The fake news. The column I have today is Benjamin Franklin. Benjamin Franklin invented fake news. You should check out the message of the day every day.

[Bill O'Reilly]

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[Bill O'Reilly]

Now the O'Reilly update brings you something you might not know. Last week, President Trump authorized more military strikes against boats carrying narcotics to the usa. Now he has ordered the closure of airspace over the country of Venezuela. The operation marks an escalation between Washington and the drug cartels of Central and South America. Here are some facts about the narco states. In March 2020, the Department of Justice indicted Venezuelan dictator Nicolas Maduro and 14 top aides on charges of drug trafficking. And remember, that was done under Joe Biden. Now, Maduro is allegedly involved with a drug cartel called the Cartel of the Sun. His extended family, some of them anyway, have been convicted of importing large amounts of cocaine into New York City. President Trump has since labeled the dictators group a foreign terror organization and that means military strikes can be used against them. Next, Colombia, South America country has been plagued by drug cartels since the 1980s. As we chronicle in my latest book, Confronting Evil, the global drug trade began with Colombian Pablo Escobar. His Medellin cartel organized assassinations, kidnappings and mass violence to consolidate power. Escobar made billions before he was captured. Today, 95% of the cocaine entering America comes from Colombia. Finally, the nation of Ecuador. Since the 1990s, the country has become a global drug transit point between Colombia, Peru and Venezuela. From Ecuador, narcotics are easier to smuggle by freight to the west coast of the United States. Last year, Ecuador's government declared a state of emergency to eliminate the drug traffickers. Those efforts have failed. Since then, 10,000 Ecuadorians have been murdered or kidnapped by the cartels. 10,000. And here's something else you might not know. The socialist government of Nicolas Maduro has brought widespread misery to Venezuela. In 1997, our country was the wealthiest nation in South America. Now, next to Haiti, it's the poorest. Back in a moment.

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[Bill O'Reilly]

Thank you for listening to the O'Reilly update. I am Bill O'Reilly. For more news and honest analysis, please go to billoreilly.com no spin, just facts. And always looking out for you.

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