The O'Reilly Update, February 19, 2026

Summary

Podcast Summary: Bill O’Reilly’s No Spin News and Analysis

Episode: The O'Reilly Update, February 19, 2026

Date: February 19, 2026
Host: Bill O'Reilly | News Segment: Mike Slater

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Main Theme & Purpose

This episode focuses on current national and international news headlines, a deep dive into U.S.-Canada relations as shaped by politics and the Olympic rivalry, listener questions regarding immigration, and historical context around anti-smoking campaigns. Bill O’Reilly maintains his characteristic “no spin” approach, providing analysis, commentary, and practical information for listeners.

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Key Segments and Insights

1. News Headlines of the Day

[00:40–03:32] Reported by Mike Slater

• Imminent U.S. or Israeli Attack on Iran

  • Reports circulate of a possible attack on Iran.
  • The U.S. has deployed significant naval forces, including the Abraham Lincoln and Gerald Ford carrier groups.
  • Iranian officials released an AI-generated propaganda photo showing a downed U.S. carrier.
  • U.S. military leadership is prepared for strikes as early as Saturday, with personnel being temporarily relocated.
  • Quote:

    “Top national security officials have told President Trump the military is ready for potential strikes on Iran as soon as Saturday.” — Mike Slater [01:23]

• U.S. Military Strikes on Narco-Trafficking Boats

  • U.S. forces hit three boats presumed to be drug-running; eleven suspects killed.
  • Ongoing crackdown: 41 strikes and 144 individuals killed so far in Caribbean/Eastern Pacific operations.
  • Quote:

    “They said intelligence confirmed the vessels were transiting along known narco trafficking routes and were engaged in narco trafficking operations.” — Mike Slater [01:51]

• Deadliest Avalanche in U.S. History

  • 15 backcountry skiers caught in a Lake Tahoe avalanche.
  • Six rescued, eight confirmed dead, one missing and presumed dead.
  • Rescuers used emergency beacons and iPhone SOS functionality to locate survivors.

• 2026 Winter Olympics Update

  • Men’s cross-country team sprint: Team USA wins silver.
  • Alpine skiing: Mikaela Shiffrin gets gold.
  • Men’s curling: Team USA loses to Great Britain, making semi-final qualification difficult.
  • Women’s curling: Must win remaining games to advance.
  • Men’s hockey: USA beats Sweden in OT, advancing to semifinals (will play Slovakia next).
  • Medal standings: Norway (33 medals), Italy (26), USA (24).
  • Memorable moment:

    “USA Hockey the men beat Sweden 2 to 1 in overtime. It was an unbelievable game. It’s worth watching again, even though I just told you the results.” — Mike Slater [02:53]

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2. Bill O’Reilly’s Message of the Day: U.S.-Canada Relations & Olympic Rivalry

[03:32–05:56]

• Olympic Women's Ice Hockey Final: USA vs. Canada

  • O’Reilly expresses confidence in the American women’s team, calling them likely winners.

• Beyond Hockey: A Cultural and Political Divide

  • Describes the hockey rivalry as "partially political."
  • Canada characterized as highly secular and “woke,” especially in big cities.
  • Differences in leadership: Cites election of Justin Trudeau as symbolizing Canadian liberalism.
  • Notes Trump's accusations of Canada taking economic/military advantage.
  • U.S.-Canada relations are "at an all time low" with Canadian tourism to U.S. dropping by 25%.
  • Quote:

    "Canada has evolved into a secular country that has accepted woke...You couldn’t elect a guy like Justin Trudeau if that were not the case." — Bill O'Reilly [04:14]

  • Humorous aside about Wayne Gretzky:

    “Pucks, sure. Schmucks. No.” — Bill O'Reilly [05:10]

  • O’Reilly personally enjoys Canada and expresses hope for a “thaw” after the Olympics.

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3. Listener Questions & Mailbag

[05:56–07:34]

• Interview Reflections: Jeh Johnson (Former DHS Secretary)

  • Listeners praise O’Reilly’s interview with Jeh Johnson, noting Johnson's candor about enforcement under Obama and the shift in the Democratic Party toward the far left.
  • Quote:

    “It’s obvious that he feels today’s Democratic Party is not the same as when he was serving...the far left has hijacked the party.” — Alan Chester, Wake Forest, NC [06:43]

• Immigration Court Appointments and Fear of Deportation

  • A listener raises concerns about immigrants skipping court dates out of fear of detention and deportation.
  • O’Reilly clarifies legal realities: hearings involve a judge and legal representation, calling “automatic detention” a myth.
  • Quote:

    “That’s a myth. That’s another deceit. I got the fear, but it’s not reality. Oh, boy, so much deceit, huh?” — Bill O'Reilly [07:28]

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4. Historical Context: Anti-Smoking Campaigns & Yul Brynner

[08:04–10:54]

• Background on Smoking in the USA

  • O’Reilly gives context on the history of tobacco: ancient traditions, surging post WWII use, and ultimate public health revelations.
  • Major milestones: Kennedy-commissioned research, 1964 Surgeon General warning, industry resistance, and eventual regulation.

• Yul Brynner’s Posthumous Anti-Smoking Ad

  • Brynner filmed a PSA before his death; aired posthumously urging Americans not to smoke.
  • Notable quote (Brynner, archive audio):

    "Now that I'm gone, I tell you, don’t smoke. Whatever you do, just don’t smoke. If I could take back that smoking, we wouldn't be talking about any cancer. I’m convinced of that." — Yul Brynner [09:42]

• Current Smoking Statistics

  • Fewer than 8% of American adults now smoke a pack daily.
  • Highest smoking rates in 2026: China, Serbia, Bulgaria, Indonesia, and Croatia.

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Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments

• Mike Slater on Iran Tensions:

  “This could be a head fake. This could be part of the negotiating process, but it’s worth keeping an eye on.” [00:49]

• Bill O’Reilly on U.S.-Canada Relations:

  “Relations between the two countries are at an all time low. In fact, Canadian travel to the states down 25%. Not good, eh?” [04:38]

• Bill O’Reilly on Political Shifts:

  “There’s a big difference in the Democrats today because the far left has hijacked the party.” [06:49]

• Listener Mail – Reality of Immigration Hearings:

  “Your hearing is about asylum. That’s how they have the hearings, okay. And the judge is going to decide yes or no… That’s a myth. That’s another deceit.” [07:23]

• Historic Anti-Smoking Message:

  "Now that I’m gone, I tell you, don’t smoke. Whatever you do, just don’t smoke." — Yul Brynner [09:42]

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• [00:40] — Headline News: Iran, Narco Boats, Avalanche, Olympics
• [03:32] — O’Reilly’s Commentary: U.S.-Canada Relations & Olympics
• [05:56] — Listener Mail: Jeh Johnson Interview, Immigration Court
• [08:04] — Something You Might Not Know: Yul Brynner Anti-Smoking PSA

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Summary:
This episode covers escalating U.S.–Iran tensions, U.S. military actions against narco-traffickers, a devastating avalanche, Olympics achievements, and delves into the complex—and sometimes fraught—relationship between the U.S. and Canada as reflected in sports and politics. Listener correspondence adds depth on immigration court realities and changing political landscapes. The historical segment offers a poignant reflection on tobacco culture and anti-smoking advocacy, culminating with Yul Brynner’s haunting testimony from beyond the grave. Bill O’Reilly delivers his trademark mix of news, analysis, and opinion—always “no spin, just the facts.”

Transcript

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[Bill O'Reilly]

Bill O'Reilly here. You are listening to the O'Reilly Update. Coming up next, the news with Mike Slater.

[Mike Slater]

Thank you, Bill. It is Thursday, February 19, 2026. Here's what's happening today in America. Imminent attack, drug boats hit, worst avalanche ever. And an Olympics update that's all coming up. Then Bill's gonna be here with your message of the day. But first, there are reports that an Israeli or American attack on Iran is imminent. This could be a head fake. This could be part of the negotiating process, but it's worth keeping an eye on. The United States has already deployed to the region what Trump has described as a, quote, beautiful armada. The Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier group is there. The Ford is en route. Iranian leaders posted on Tuesday an AI generated photo of the Gerald Ford aircraft carrier at the bottom of the ocean. This is according to CBS News. Top national security officials have told President Trump the military is ready for potential strikes on Iran as soon as Saturday. We've also been told that over the next three days, the Pentagon is moving some personnel temporarily out of the Middle east region to Europe or back to the United States. In other military news, our military struck three alleged drug running boats. Eleven male narco terrorists were killed. This from southcom. They said intelligence confirmed the vessels were transiting along known narco trafficking routes and were engaged in narco trafficking operations. The US has now carried out at least 41 strikes on alleged drug smuggling vessels, killing 144 people in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific. The deadliest avalanche in US history occurred in Lake Tahoe in California. A 15 person group of backcountry skiers were returning from a three day journey. Amazingly, six were rescued. Eight were killed. Another remains missing though is presumed dead. There were 11 clients and four tour guides. They were staying in a remote hut out in the wilderness. Emergency crews were called. It took six hours to reach the skiers. They were located with their emergency beacons on their iPhone's SOS function. Olympics update, men's cross country team sprint. Team USA taking the silver. Alpine skiing Mikayla Shiffrin got the gold medal. In men's curling, we got crushed by Team gb. So we're going to need some help to get into the semifinals in women's curling.

[Bill O'Reilly]

Right.

[Mike Slater]

We have to win our games today to make it in as well. USA Hockey the men beat Sweden 2 to 1 in overtime. It was an unbelievable game. It's worth watching again, even though I just told you the results of it. It was that good of a game. That was the quarterfinals. They're now off to play the third seed Slovakia in the semifinals. These guys are awesome to watch. Do not miss their next game on Friday. Norway has 33 medals with 15 gold. Italy 26 with with nine golds and USA 24 medals and seven golds. Sunday is the final day of competition. I'm Mike Slater with the podcast Politics by faith. Bill O'Reilly has your message of the day next.

[Bill O'Reilly]

Time now for the O'Reilly update. Message of the day. On this Thursday, the US Women's Ice Hockey team is playing Canada for the Olympic gold medal. The American ladies are a better team and most likely will prevail. The rivalry, however, is partially political as it will be for the men's final, probably featuring Canada and the usa. The reason is that America and its neighbor to the north are far apart culturally and it's downright strange. Canada has evolved into a secular country that has accepted woke not every province. The ones in the west are more conservative, but the big cities certainly are liberal. You couldn't elect a guy like Justin Trudeau if that were not the case. President Trump believes Canada has taken advantage of the USA in trade as well as defense. And and there is some truth to that. So relations between the two countries are at an all time low. In fact, Canadian travel to the states down 25%. Not good, eh? Mr. Trump would like hockey legend Wayne Gretzky to be the prime minister, but that's not going to happen. Mr. Gretzky is too smart to enter that political arena. Pucks, sure. Schmucks. No, I always have a great time when I visit Canada and I anticipate the thaw will melt, but not until the Olympics is over. I'm Bill O'Reilly. I approve the message by writing it. You can reach me billorilly.com, billorilly.com name in town if you wish to opine. Let's go to the mail. Robert in Tucson, Arizona. Bill, your interview with Jeh Johnson, one of the best I've seen. I'm not a fan of President Obama, but people can't deny he did enforce the border and Mr. Johnson explained how he did it. However, he would admit completely that the hate for President Trump is a major factor in why Minnesota devolved in what we saw. That's a legitimate analysis of the interview. Mr. Johnson didn't answer a couple of very pointed questions, but overall, I think he was fairly candid. Alan Chester, Wake Forest, North Carolina. Excellent interview with the secretary. It's obvious that he feels today's Democratic Party is not the same as when he was serving. So there's a big difference in the Democrats today because the far left has hijacked the party. Party, as we all know. Jose Alicon, Gunnison, Colorado. Hey, Bill, you mentioned today about people who have appointments with immigration. They need to show up to those appointments. I know that, but some of them get put in jail and get deported if they do. That's why they don't want to go. Jose, it's a legitimate fear, but in the hearing, you should be represented by an immigration attorney, number one, as a judge there. There's a judge. And your hearing is about asylum. That's how they have the hearings. Okay. And the judge is going to decide yes or no. I can't just come in and thank you. That's a myth. That's another deceit. I got the fear, but it's not reality. Oh, boy, so much deceit, huh? In a moment, something you might not know.

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[Bill O'Reilly]

Now the O'Reilly update brings you something you might not know. Forty years ago today, actor Yul Brenner promoted the first televised anti smoking ad in the USA. Released in February 1986, the video was published four months after the actor had died from lung cancer. Here is the story. Native Americans began inhaling smoke from burned tobacco leaves in the 12th century B.C. they believed the practice was good for their health. Europeans were introduced to the custom after their arrival in the new world. By World War II, more than 50% of the U.S. population smoked 20 cigarettes a day. At the same time, the rates of lung cancer surged. In 1962, President Kennedy authorized the creation of a committee to investigate the harmful effects of tobacco. Two years later, the group released the Results. Smokers are 20 times more likely to die from lung cancer than non smokers. Two years later, the surgeon general ordered all cigarette manufacturers to place warning labels on their products. The tobacco companies disputed the findings but had to give in to the government's demands. In 1984, actor Brenner released the following advertisement after his own demise.

[Yul Brynner (archive audio)]

Ladies and gentlemen, the late Yul Brynner. I really wanted to make a commercial when I discovered that I was that sick and my time was so limited. But to make that commercial that says simply, now that I'm gone, I tell you, don't smoke. Whatever you do, just don't smoke. If I could take back that smoking, we wouldn't be talking about any cancer. I'm convinced of that.

[Bill O'Reilly]

Today, less than 8% of American adults smoke a pack a day, but the practice remains popular in Eastern Europe and Asia. The nations with the highest rates of tobacco use this year will be China, Serbia, Bulgaria, Indonesia and Croatia. Back in a moment. Thank you for listening to the O'Reilly update. I am Bill O'Reilly. No spin, just facts and always looking out for you.

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