Bill O’Reilly’s No Spin News and Analysis

Episode: The O’Reilly Update – February 21, 2026
Host: Bill O'Reilly | News Segment: Mike Slater
Date: February 21, 2026

Episode Overview

This weekend edition covers major national and international news, significant political developments, and sports highlights, followed by Bill O'Reilly's "Message of the Day" on homelessness policy in California. The episode concludes with historical insights about Geronimo and listener mailbag interactions.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Political and International News Highlights

[00:40–03:31] — Mike Slater

• Iran/US Nuclear Tensions:

  • The President warns Tehran: "They have a maximum of 15 days to reach a deal with the United States or bad things will happen." (00:53)
  • Recent protests in Iran resulted in “tens of thousands” killed; Iranian sources estimate 3,000 dead, while human rights groups claim upwards of 30,000.

• State of the Union Preview:

  • Scheduled for Tuesday; several Democratic congresspeople vow not to attend.
  • Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger to deliver the Democrat rebuttal:
    • Quote: "We’re at a defining moment in our nation’s history. Virginians and Americans across the country are contending with rising costs, chaos in their communities and a real fear of what each day might bring." (01:43)
  • Criticism of her proposed tax increases, which include landscaping, storage facilities, gym memberships, dog walking and grooming, vehicle and home repairs, dry cleaning, and electric leaf blowers.

• Presidential Reactions on Aliens:

  • Barack Obama on a podcast: "They're real, but I haven't seen them." Later clarified he found no evidence as president.
  • Donald Trump responds on Truth Social, committing to "begin the process of identifying and releasing government files related to alien and extraterrestrial life."
    • Memorable Line: "God bless America. God bless America, indeed." (02:50)

• Olympic Updates:

  • Alyssa Liu wins gold in women’s figure skating—first American since 2002.
  • Jordan Stoltz secures silver in speed skating (1500m), adding to his two previous golds.
  • Team USA women's hockey defeats Canada 2–1 in overtime for gold; tournament goal tally: 33 for, 2 against.

2. Bill O’Reilly’s “Message of the Day”

[04:04–08:01]

• California’s Homelessness Strategy:
  • O’Reilly critiques Barack Obama and Governor Gavin Newsom’s belief that “the government owes street people safe dwellings.” (04:05)
  • Spending: California spent $30 billion over five years; about 200,000 people still unhoused, most with substance abuse or mental illness.
  • Direct Testimony: While in San Francisco, O'Reilly interviews addicts who report state housing is “too dangerous” due to lack of security and drug enforcement.
  • Audit Findings: "There is no reliable data to track expenditures on free housing. So it’s chaos." (05:24, quoting a California audit)
  • Newsom's Claims: The Governor says homelessness is down 9%, but O’Reilly challenges the credibility—"But how would he know? The situation is chaotic."
  • Summation: "Thirty billion dollars is a colossal amount of taxpayer money, especially when thousands remain on the street." (06:33)
  • Conclusion: O’Reilly emphasizes political exaggeration and questions the effectiveness of current approaches.

3. Listener Mailbag

[06:46–08:01]

• Secretary Rubio’s Speech:

  • Why was Hillary Clinton at the Munich conference?
    • O'Reilly: "It was a private conference and she was invited. There wasn’t a government run anything." (07:00)

• Trump’s Cuba Policy:

  • Why ‘strangle’ Cuban economy?
    • O'Reilly emphasizes human rights concerns and the proximity of Cuba to the US, with many Americans having family affected by the regime.

• Governors at International Conferences/Logan Act Issues:

  • Are governors undermining the administration?
    • O’Reilly: "No, they’re invited. They can go wherever they want... That’s no Logan Act. They’re not negotiating anything."

• Mitch McConnell and the SAVE Act:

  • Why does he oppose it?
    • O’Reilly: "If I could explain Mitch McConnell, I think I get the Nobel Peace Prize... This is a guy who should have been retired a long time ago."

• Trump and Balanced Budgets:

  • Would Trump support a balanced budget?
    • O'Reilly: "No, I do not. He’s a spender, all right. Always has been, always will be." (07:50)

4. Something You Might Not Know: Geronimo

[08:32–11:16]

• Tells the story of Geronimo—Apache leader, fierce resister of US and Mexican expansion.
• Personal tragedy motivated his campaigns; led raids for over a decade, finally surrendered in 1886.
• Later converted to Christianity and lived as a farmer, dying in 1909.
• Notable cultural legacy: US parachutists yell "Geronimo!" during jumps; “Geronimo” was also the code name used in the operation to capture or kill Osama bin Laden.
  • Quote: "Today, Geronimo is synonymous with bravery on the battlefield." (11:00)

Notable Quotes

• President on Iran: "We're either going to get a deal or it's going to be unfortunate for them." (01:00, paraphrased)
• Governor Spanberger: "We’re at a defining moment... a real fear of what each day might bring." (01:43)
• O'Reilly on homelessness efforts: "Thirty billion dollars is a colossal amount of taxpayer money, especially when thousands remain on the street." (06:33)
• Listener Q&A, O’Reilly on McConnell: "If I could explain Mitch McConnell, I think I get the Nobel Peace Prize." (07:46)
• On Geronimo: "Today, Geronimo is synonymous with bravery on the battlefield." (11:00)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• (00:40–03:31) News Roundup (Iran, State of the Union, Alien Disclosures, Olympics)
• (04:04–08:01) Bill O’Reilly Message of the Day: Homelessness in California
• (06:46–08:01) Listener Mailbag
• (08:32–11:16) Geronimo Historical Segment

Memorable Moments

• Trump’s pledge to release alien files (02:45)
• O’Reilly personally interviewing addicts in San Francisco (04:39)
• Scathing critique of Mitch McConnell as "the guy who killed, literally, Kate's Law" and recommendation for retirement (07:50)
• The historical tidbit about Geronimo’s name being used by WWII parachutists and as the code name for the Bin Laden raid (10:46–11:08)

Tone and Style

Reflects O’Reilly’s “no spin” approach, direct critique of political leaders (both parties), skepticism of official statistics, and wry humor especially in the mailbag. The analysis is pointed, often critical, but remains focused on major public policy issues and historical context.

For more analysis and O'Reilly’s perspectives, visit BillOReilly.com.