Bill O’Reilly’s No Spin News and Analysis

The O'Reilly Update – February 17, 2026

Host: Bill O'Reilly
News Segment: Mike Slater
Theme: Current events in the U.S., political analysis, and historical insights

Episode Overview

This episode covers major headlines of the day, including President Trump's international initiatives, a local environmental disaster, the legacy of actor Robert Duvall, Olympic victories, and political analysis ahead of the 2026 elections. Bill O’Reilly then shifts to his signature "Message of the Day," focusing on President Trump's strengths and key challenges as the election approaches, marshaling "just the facts" in his typical direct style. The episode concludes with historical reflection on Geronimo, linking past and present American stories.

Key News Highlights with Mike Slater

[00:09–03:03]

• Board of Peace Convenes for Gaza Reconstruction

  • President Trump’s new Board of Peace meets in Washington, announcing a $5 billion commitment from member states to rebuild Gaza.
  • The board, founded in January and celebrated in Davos, includes Israel, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Egypt, Argentina, and El Salvador.
  • Notably, no European countries joined (“No European countries are on it because they're worried that it will rival the United Nations, which obviously is worthless.” – Mike Slater, 00:54).

• Potomac River Sewage Spill

  • Massive sewage leak in the Potomac, with 243 million gallons of wastewater starting January 19th.
  • President Trump intervenes federally, criticizing Maryland Governor West Moore for "gross mismanagement."
    • “Governor West Moore of Maryland … can’t even build a bridge.” (01:29)
    • “A massive ecological disaster unfolding in the river as a result of … incompetent local and state management.” (01:40)

• Robert Duvall’s Passing

  • Oscar-winning actor Robert Duvall dies at 95.
  • Family encourages tributes through storytelling, film-watching, or countryside drives.
    • “We said goodbye to my beloved husband, cherished friend and one of the greatest actors of our time...” – Duvall’s wife (02:11)

• Olympics Update

  • Wins in women's monobob (gold and bronze) and a 5-0 shutout by women’s hockey against Sweden.
  • Upcoming hockey gold medal match against Canada.
    • “The gold medal game … is against our rivals Canada, Thursday at 1:10 Eastern.” (02:46)

Message of the Day with Bill O'Reilly

[03:34–06:15]

1. Political State-of-Play: Trump and Congressional Prospects

• President Trump has "seven months to convince voters the Republican Party should retain power."

• Incumbents often “get hammered” in midterms for not meeting expectations, but O’Reilly points to positive outcomes for the GOP:

  Key Points:

  • Inflation & Unemployment: Under control.
  • Deficit: Shrinking.
  • Gas Prices: Down “significantly”; utility costs still problematic, especially during a “brutal cold in the Northeast.”
  • Food Prices: Higher at premium stores, lower at discount outlets.
  • Insurance Costs: “Painful. Big problem for Republicans.”
  • Border Security: Claimed as secure, but with a PR problem for ICE, needing “more information about migrant detentions.”
  • Foreign Policy: “Venezuelan intervention was a success. Next up, Iran. Putin's in trouble with his own people. But Americans do not vote foreign policy.”

  Notable quote:

  • “Mr. Trump's policies may give the GOP some strong arguments.” (03:53)
  • “Insurance costs painful. Big problem for Republicans.” (04:32)

2. Unreported GOP Advantage

• The "radicalization of the Democratic Party" as a potential boon for Republicans.
  • "In 1999, just 5% of Dems said they were very liberal. Today, the number has risen to 21%. American voters generally do not like zealots. That could help Republicans." (05:00)

Mailbag & Listener Questions

[06:16–08:08]

• On New York’s Homeless Tragedy:

  • A listener, Maureen, questions the lack of response from the left and clergy after 18 people died from exposure in NYC.
  • O’Reilly criticizes NY Mayor Mandani’s “refusing to remove people when it's three degrees and they die. He doesn't care.”
  • Broader point about “totalitarian communist movement” prioritizing the state over individuals:
    • “The individual doesn't matter. He or she is not a primary concern in China, in Russia, in Cuba—it's the state.” (07:03)
  • Historical context: past policy removed people from the streets in life-threatening cold, current leadership does not.

• On National Divisiveness:

  • Listener Ron from Pennsylvania asks: “Do you think the divisiveness in this country will end when President Trump leaves office?”
  • O’Reilly: “No. Nope. I think that progressive movement is really entrenched now and they're gonna… do what they have to do to overthrow traditional America. That's what they want.” (07:48)

Something You Might Not Know: The Story of Geronimo

[08:09–10:03]

• Geronimo’s Legacy:
  • Died 117 years ago to the day, remembered as a legendary Apache leader who fiercely resisted American and Mexican expansion.
  • Personal tragedy—his family killed by foreign soldiers—drove his campaigns.
  • Fought relocation and led battles against U.S. forces until his surrender in 1886.
  • Later, converted to Christianity, lived as a farmer, died at 79.
  • The name “Geronimo” became military legend, used as a paratrooper’s cry and as the code name during the Osama bin Laden raid.
    • “During World War II, American parachutists yell the name when jumping out of planes. In May 2011, Geronimo was a military code for the capture or death of Osama bin Laden.” (09:47)
  • Promotes his book, "Killing Crazy Horse," for further reading.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• Mike Slater on the Board of Peace:
  “No European countries are on it because they're worried that it will rival the United Nations, which obviously is worthless.” [00:54]

• O’Reilly, Regarding NYC Cold Deaths:
  “He doesn't care. You got to understand something about this totalitarian communist movement. The individual doesn't matter. He or she is not a primary concern in China, in Russia, in Cuba—it's the state.” [07:03]

• On Political Divisiveness:
  “I think that progressive movement is really entrenched now and they're gonna … do what they have to do to overthrow traditional America.” [07:48]

• On Democrat Radicalization:
  “American voters generally do not like zealots. That could help Republicans.” [05:00]

Episode Flow & Tone

• Direct, opinionated, and fact-forward
• O’Reilly blends breaking news, political strategy analysis, and historical context
• Audience engagement through mailbag fosters a conversational feel
• Factual yet often provocative language, especially in describing political opponents and current leaders

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:09 – News with Mike Slater: Board of Peace, Potomac sewage spill, Robert Duvall obituary, Olympics
• 03:34 – O'Reilly’s Message of the Day: State of the presidency and the Republican playbook
• 06:16 – Mailbag: Critiques of NYC leadership and discussion of national divisiveness
• 08:09 – “Something You Might Not Know”: Geronimo’s history and American cultural legacy

In summary:
This episode offers a comprehensive overview of the day's most pressing stories, frames them through O’Reilly’s lens of skeptical analysis, and connects contemporary politics to deeper currents in American history and culture.