Podcast Summary: The O’Reilly Update, February 20, 2026

Host: Bill O’Reilly
Segment News Anchor: Mike Slater
Theme: Current events, U.S. politics, media analysis, listener mail, and pop culture insights

Episode Overview

This episode of The O’Reilly Update covers several major stories shaping national conversation: U.S.-Iran relations and the President’s ultimatum, the upcoming State of the Union, debates over the Democratic response, pop culture topics like the latest "aliens" controversy and Olympics wins, and a criticism of media bias in U.S. journalism—specifically the Associated Press. The episode also includes listener questions and a deep-dive into the history of Batman and Robin.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Latest National News Headlines

[00:39 – 03:35]
Reported by Mike Slater

• U.S.-Iran Tensions:

  • The President has given Tehran a 15-day deadline to make a deal:

    "We're either going to get a deal or it's going to be unfortunate for them." (00:52)

  • Consequences of failed negotiations are left vague: possible strike, regime change, or targeting of the nuclear program.
  • Iran facing internal unrest:
    • Government admits 3,000 killed in recent protests; human rights groups estimate up to 30,000.

• Upcoming State of the Union (SOTU) Address:

  • Scheduled for Tuesday; some Democrat Congress members plan to boycott as a statement.
  • Democratic rebuttal to SOTU to be delivered by new Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger:

    "We're at a defining moment in our nation's history. Virginians and Americans...contending with rising costs, chaos in their communities and a real fear of what each day might bring." (01:48)

  • Critique of Spanberger’s proposed tax increases on everyday services (e.g., landscaping, storage, gym memberships, car repairs)—noted as contradictory to her campaign stance on affordability.

• Aliens in the News Cycle:

  • Former President Obama, on a podcast, said of extraterrestrials:

    "They're real, but I haven't seen them." (02:23)

  • He clarified: no evidence found during his presidency.
  • Trump responds: Not sure if aliens exist, but promises to direct the U.S. Secretary of War to declassify related documents due to public interest, concluding with:

    "God bless America. God bless America, indeed." (02:43)

• Olympics Updates:

  • Alysa Liu: First American woman to win gold in figure skating since 2002.
  • Jordan Stoltz: Speed skater clinches silver, adding to previous golds.
  • Team USA Women's Hockey: Wins gold against Canada in OT, with a dominant tournament record (33 goals for, 2 against).

2. O’Reilly’s Message of the Day: Media Bias & Black History Month

[03:35 – 07:20]

• Critique of Associated Press (AP):

  • O’Reilly accuses AP of left-wing bias and “hit piece” journalism over their coverage of a Trump White House Black History Month event.

    "Instead of reporting what actually took place at the White House ceremony, the AP tries to weave a tale of hypocrisy." (03:56)

  • Notes AP’s ban from the White House due to “slanted reporting,” claiming the AP now exists

    “...to advance that ideology.” (03:45)

  • Decries AP’s implication that Trump shouldn’t engage in Black History Month events.

• Broader Problem Identified:

  • Asserts that AP, as America’s largest news organization, is “deceitful.”

    "America's largest news gathering operation is deceitful. And that is a fact." (04:36)

3. Listener Mailbag: U.S.-Canada Relations & Cuba

[04:44 – 07:20]

• Canadian Views on the U.S.:

  • David writes: Criticizes Trump’s dismissive comments about Canada and notes a 25% drop in Canadian travel to the U.S.

    "I don't wonder why. There's no wonderment in my analysis. I'm just telling you it's down. I know Canadians are bad. Some of them are mad at the usa." (05:25)

  • Janie: Expresses sadness about U.S.-Canada relations, blaming media misinformation:

    “...they're listening to fake news and never get the true picture. I think there's some validity to that.” (05:42)

• Cuba & Mission Work:

  • Sharon: Her church’s mission trip to Cuba brings clean water to locals. Surprised Cuban gov’t still allows such trips.
  • O’Reilly responds with praise and predicts eventual regime change in Cuba:

    “Cuban people are getting hammered and they have since 1959. It's not their fault. But that government's got to change and it will.” (06:33)

4. Something You Might Not Know: The History of Batman and Robin

[07:51 – End]

• Pop Culture Spotlight—Batman and Robin:
  • 82nd anniversary of their debut in U.S. newspapers.
  • Batman’s name origin: combination of Robert the Bruce and Anthony Wayne.
  • Major milestones: utility belt (1940), Batmobile (1941), nationwide comic strip syndication (1944), 1966 TV show, transformative 1989 movie.
  • $10 billion+ in box office and ancillary revenues.
  • Fun fact: "Science of Batman" college course at University of Victoria, Canada.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On media bias:

  "Well, today the Associated Press is a far left enterprise in business to advance that ideology."
  – Bill O'Reilly, 03:45

• Regarding the SOTU Democratic response:

  "The best the Democrats could put together for their rebuttal is the new Virginia governor, Abigail Spanberger..." (01:25)

• On the “aliens” controversy:

  "Trump later wrote on Truth social media...I will be directing the secretary of war to begin the process of identifying and releasing government files related to alien and extraterrestrial life..." (02:34)

• Olympics pride:

  "Team USA women's hockey...wrapping up with a 2 to 1 win against Canada in overtime for the Gold." (03:18)

• Listener mail on cross-border relations:

  "I'm sad by the relationship we have with Americans now...we have to agree to disagree on current politics."
  – Janie, 05:42

• On Cuba:

  "Your group's doing a good thing. The Cuban people are getting hammered...That government's got to change and it will."
  – Bill O'Reilly, 06:33

Timestamps for Important Segments

• National headlines with Mike Slater: 00:39 – 03:35
• O’Reilly’s "Message of the Day" (AP Bias): 03:35 – 04:44
• Listener Mailbag (Canada & Cuba): 04:44 – 07:20
• "Something You Might Not Know" – Batman & Robin segment: 07:51 – End

Episode Tone and Takeaways

The show remains true to O'Reilly’s hallmark "no spin" approach—direct, critical, and conversational, blending serious political commentary with lighter pop culture fare. The episode sharply critiques U.S. media’s coverage of Trump and Black History Month, highlights divisions in American and Canadian relations, and closes with feel-good Olympic and comic book trivia.

Listeners gain insight into the host’s views on current politics and society, plus a mix of sharp cultural observations, making the episode both informative and engaging for news followers and casual listeners alike.