Bill O’Reilly’s No Spin News and Analysis

Episode: The O'Reilly Update, February 16, 2026
Host: Bill O'Reilly
News Segment Host: Mike Slater
Date: February 16, 2026

Overview:

This episode of "The O’Reilly Update" covers significant political and international developments, a reflection on Presidents’ Day and American leadership, listener mail addressing national security and debt, and a fascinating historical insight marking the anniversary of King Tut’s tomb discovery. The tone remains characteristically direct, with O’Reilly prioritizing factual analysis over political spin.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. News Headlines with Mike Slater [00:09 – 03:05]

• Rubio’s ‘All-Time’ Speech at Munich Security Conference

  • Secretary of State Marco Rubio delivers a powerful and principled speech focusing on the deeper values beneath national defense.
  • Key Quote (Rubio via Slater, 00:40):
    “The fundamental question we must answer on the onset is what exactly we are defending, because armies do not fight abstractions. Armies fight for a people. Armies fight for a nation. Armies fight for a way of life. And that's what we're defending. A great civilization that has every reason to be proud of its history, confident of its future and aims to always be the master of its own economic and political destiny.”
  • Rubio emphasizes national sovereignty and Western heritage, encouraging Europe to be “proud of its heritage and of its history...with the means to defend itself and the will to survive” (01:20).

• Gavin Newsom at Munich Conference

  • California Governor (and presidential candidate) Gavin Newsom downplays Trump’s longevity, stating:
    “Donald Trump is temporary. He will be gone in three years.” [Reported at 01:48]

• U.S. Strikes in Syria

  • The U.S. launches strikes on 30 ISIS targets in Syria in retaliation for the December 13 ambush that killed two soldiers and an interpreter.
  • Part of Operation Hawkeye Strike, continuing previous responses (70 targets hit last December).
  • The President remains committed to “very serious retaliation.”

• Tom Homan on Mask Policy at ICE

  • Tom Homan, “border czar” in Minnesota, addresses concerns over mask-wearing and accusations of racial profiling amidst a partial government shutdown.
  • Homan states:
    “I don't like the masks either, but these men and women have to protect themselves.” (02:13)
    “There is no racial profiling. If Congress wants to change that, they can legislate.”

• Olympic Updates

  • U.S. skiing team and prior champions fall short, but men’s curling defeats Sweden and Norway, women’s team beats China, USA Hockey advances to quarterfinals.

2. Message of the Day: Presidents’ Day Reflection [03:05 – 05:09]

• George Washington

  • Lauded as a “brilliant commander” and “the father of our country,” though O’Reilly discusses Washington’s personal imperfections, specifically his complicity with slavery:
    • “Not perfect, could get very, very angry, held slaves when he knew that was not the right thing to do, but it was convenient. Martha wanted them on the estate... George went along, but he knew in his heart that wasn't the right thing to do.” (03:40)
  • Celebrated for establishing American freedom.

• Abraham Lincoln

  • Described as:
    • “the best president in our history.... put here for a reason by God. He held the nation together when very few men could have done that.” (04:10)
    • O'Reilly recounts Lincoln’s melancholy (“melancholia”), his courage, honesty, and somber awareness of the threat to his life.
    • “Lincoln commanded respect, unbelievably honest, and kept this country intact. That's who we're honoring.” (04:36)

3. Listener Mailbag and Analysis [05:09 – 07:01]

• On U.S. Role in Iranian Conflict

  • Listener Robert Land (Texas) raises whether the U.S. should intervene in Iran or leave regime change to the Iranian people.
  • O’Reilly responds:
    • “It's not our responsibility [to go in and change that government].” (05:55)
    • Reflects on the sacrifices of revolution—“We had a lot of dead in the American Revolution. It's not our responsibility.”

• On National Debt Crisis

  • Blake Chase (Bangkok, Thailand) worries the U.S. has reached a “point of no return” on its $39 trillion debt, investing in metals as a hedge.
  • O’Reilly cautions on metals:
    • “Be careful. Point of no return on the national debt. In our lifetimes, we're not going to pay off 39 trillion. Everybody watching me now will be dead before that ever happens.” (06:27)
    • Suggests a balanced budget amendment could stabilize the situation.

• On the Direction of the Democratic Party

  • Listener JAMES asserts the party “has degenerated into ultimately wanting the destruction of the United States... [wanting] socialism... DEI... open borders.”
  • O’Reilly adds:
    • “I don't think most Americans agree, but they hide; party hides. That’s what they want.” (06:45)

4. Historical Story: King Tut’s Tomb Discovery [07:01 – 08:35]

• Anniversary of King Tut’s Tomb Discovery
  • On this day in 1923, Howard Carter opened the sealed burial chamber of Tutankhamun in Egypt.
  • Story highlights: The search, the tomb’s treasures, disproven myths about a “curse,” and its lasting pop culture impact—even referencing Steve Martin’s 1978 song “King Tut.”
  • Engaging fact:
    • “The ancient Egyptians didn't just mummify people. They also use the practice on household pets... more than 700,000 cats and dogs.” (08:18)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Rubio’s Speech (Reported by Mike Slater, 00:41):
  “Armies do not fight abstractions. Armies fight for a people. Armies fight for a nation. Armies fight for a way of life.”

• Bill O’Reilly on Washington (03:38):
  “Not perfect... held slaves when he knew that was not the right thing to do, but it was convenient...”

• On Lincoln (04:15):
  “I believe [Lincoln was] put here for a reason by God. And he held the nation together when very few men could have done that.”

• O’Reilly on U.S. Debt (06:27):
  “In our lifetimes, we're not going to pay off 39 trillion. Everybody watching me now will be dead before that ever happens.”

• On Party Politics (06:45):
  “They want a different United States. They want socialism... and I don't think most Americans agree, but they hide; party hides.”

• King Tut Fact (08:18):
  “More than 700,000 cats and dogs [mummified].”

Important Segment Timestamps

• News Headlines with Mike Slater: [00:09 – 03:05]
• O’Reilly’s Presidents’ Day Message: [03:05 – 05:09]
• Mailbag and Policy Reflections: [05:09 – 07:01]
• King Tut’s Tomb Discovery Story: [07:01 – 08:35]

Final Thoughts

This episode blends timely news, thoughtful historical reflection, and analytical listener engagement. O’Reilly maintains his forthright tone, especially when tackling historical legacies and major policy dilemmas. The episode closes by connecting contemporary themes—leadership, responsibility, and national resolve—to pivotal moments in both history and current events.