The O’Reilly Update, February 13, 2026 — Podcast Summary

Episode Overview

This episode of "The O’Reilly Update" focuses on key political events in America, government actions, and a deep dive into the manipulation of crime definitions regarding immigration enforcement. Bill O’Reilly delivers his “Message of the Day” on media misinformation and political deception, followed by listener mail, and concludes with a history lesson about Valentine’s Day. The overall tone is factual, direct, occasionally sardonic, and critical of left-wing media and government handling of crime and immigration.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Legislative Update: The SAVE Act (00:09 – 01:26)

• Current Status:
  • 49 co-sponsors on the bill requiring proof of citizenship to register and photo ID to vote.
  • Need one more Republican (from Tillis, Murkowski, McConnell, or Collins) to reach 50 and pursue a standing filibuster.
• Procedural Challenge:
  • Republicans will need unity to prevent Democrats from using "parliamentary shenanigans" to block it.
• Speaker Quote:

  “The Republicans would all have to be there… Otherwise, the Democrats can do some parliamentary shenanigans and kill the bill.” (B, 01:16)

2. Political Scandal: Josh Hawley Calls for Keith Ellison Indictment (01:27 – 02:12)

• Accusations:
  • Attorney General Ellison allegedly accepted campaign donations from Somali fraudsters implicated in the “Feeding Our Future” scandal.
  • Hawley accused Ellison of "help[ing] fraudsters defraud your state and you got a fat campaign contribution out of it." (B, 01:57)
• Context:
  • $9 billion in taxpayer money was stolen.
  • Highlights the intersection of campaign finance and corruption.

3. Environmental Policy: EPA Rescinds Greenhouse Gas Endangerment Finding (02:13 – 02:37)

• Announcement:
  • The EPA rescinds a 2009 policy labeling greenhouse gases as causing global warming.
  • This move impacts car manufacturing (ending the start-stop engine switch) and power plant regulations.
• National Reaction:
  • NYT reports Trump allies near “total victory in wiping out US climate regulations.”
  • Tone: Relieved and supportive of deregulation.

4. Olympics Brief (02:38 – 02:58)

• US Results:
  • Bronze in women's 10km cross-country skiing.
  • Silver in women's halfpipe snowboarding.
  • Men’s hockey beat Latvia 5–1.
• Medal Count:
  • Italy leads (17), Norway/America tied (14).

“Message of the Day” — Crime, Media, & Immigration (03:02 – 05:15)

Main Argument

• O’Reilly counters the claim (from “leftist media”) that ICE detains few violent migrants, disputing what is classified as “nonviolent crime.”

Key Points

• Many severe offenses are labeled ‘nonviolent’:
  • Selling hard drugs (fentanyl, heroin, cocaine)
  • Child pornography, child abuse, trafficking minors
  • Serious theft, fraud (such as recent Somali scandal), DWI with injury
• Critique of political spin:
  • Using the “14% nonviolent” figure to downplay serious offenses committed by undocumented migrants.

Notable Quote

“Under the classification of nonviolent crimes are selling hard drugs like fentanyl, heroin, and cocaine, selling child pornography, abusing a child, trafficking a minor into prostitution, all nonviolent, all theft, no matter how serious, all fraud like the billions stolen in Minnesota by Somali foreign nationals, DWI offenses, even if injuries are involved. The list goes on and on.” (A, 03:36)

• O’Reilly frames this spin as deliberate deception, referencing biblical consequences for deceivers.
• Calls on listeners to question those advocating for leniency towards undocumented migrants with nonviolent crime records.

Listener Mailbag Segment (05:16 – 07:29)

Mail #1: Sherry on Media Spin (05:16)

• Sherry criticizes networks (ABC, CNN) for their spin on Epstein news, alleging bias against Trump.
• O’Reilly agrees:

  “The networks do that and they will never stop pushing the left wing liberal line ever.” (A, 06:00)

Mail #2: Joey on Trump’s Campaign Promises (06:34)

• Joey supports Trump but notes broken promises: Epstein files, Ukraine war, border control, grocery prices.
• O’Reilly responds:
  • Epstein files: Over 3 million documents, most released (“I think”), Trump likely didn’t know the volume.
  • Some grocery/fuel prices have come down; border “secure.”
  • Emphasizes voter responsibility and objectivity:

    “Look, that’s your job as a voter, okay? You vote for who’s going to be able to solve the problems you want solved. I have no beef about that. And I’m not in business to defend the Trump administration. It’s not what we do here. We’re in business to watch it and report fairly on it.” (A, 07:10)

“Something You Might Not Know”: The Real Valentine’s Day Story (07:30 – 09:00)

Historical Overview & Fun Facts

• Origins:
  • Began as a Roman fertility ritual called the “Celebration of the Wolf.”
  • Transformed into St. Valentine’s Day by the Pope in the 5th century, tied to an Italian priest who performed banned marriages.
  • St. Valentine was executed (“dragged before Emperor Claudius the Cruel and quickly beheaded”).
• Global Traditions:
  • USA: Average $200 per person spent; Valentine’s Day is the top day for marriage proposals (“10 million Americans will take a knee on Valentine’s Day… to pop the question.”) [A, 08:55]
  • Japan: Women give sweets, men reciprocate a month later.
  • Scandinavia: Poetry; Wales: Wooden spoons; South Africa: Names pinned to sleeves.
  • Philippines: Free marriage certificates.
  • Germany: Lucky pigs gifted as glass figurines.
• O’Reilly’s Tone: Lighthearted, informative, slightly bemused (e.g., “Wait for it. Pigs are considered lucky animals. So couples give glass figurines of swine and hogs to each other. Wow.”) [A, 08:48]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Immigration Crime Definitions:

  “What should we think of people who use the 14% number knowing it’s misleading in the extreme? ... Undocumented migrant criminals should be given a pass for so-called nonviolent offenses. They should be left alone. Come on.” (A, 03:47)

• On Trump/Administration Accountability:

  “I’m not in business to defend the Trump administration. It’s not what we do here. We’re in business to watch it and report fairly on it.” (A, 07:10)

• Valentine’s Day Proposal Fact:

  “Back in the USA, roughly 10 million Americans will take a knee on Valentine’s Day. Not to protest, but to pop the question.” (A, 08:55)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• SAVE Act and Political Headlines: 00:09 – 02:37
• Olympic Updates: 02:38 – 02:58
• Message of the Day (Immigration, Crime, Deception): 03:02 – 05:15
• Listener Mail (Media Spin, Trump Promises): 05:16 – 07:29
• Valentine’s Day History: 07:30 – 09:00

Summary Takeaways

• The episode weaves together contentious US political issues—voting legislation, campaign finance scandals, deregulation, and media spin—framing them within a “no spin, just facts” editorial posture.
• O’Reilly challenges mainstream narratives about the seriousness of immigrant crime, slams partisan media, and offers a quirky holiday history for balance.
• The discussion is direct, critical, and occasionally humorous, appealing to listeners who desire unfiltered, conservative-leaning commentary on current events.