The O'Reilly Update, February 22, 2025

Summary

Bill O’Reilly’s No Spin News and Analysis
Episode: The O’Reilly Update, February 22, 2025

In the February 22, 2025 episode of Bill O’Reilly’s No Spin News and Analysis, host Bill O’Reilly delivers a comprehensive roundup of the latest political developments, economic shifts, and international relations impacting America. The episode is structured into two main segments: Mike Slater’s News Update and Bill O’Reilly’s Message of the Day. Below is a detailed summary capturing the key discussions, insights, and conclusions presented during the episode.

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Mike Slater’s News Update

1. Appointment of Cash Patel as FBI Director
Mike Slater opens the news segment by announcing Cash Patel’s confirmation as the new head of the FBI. He highlights Patel’s controversial remarks during his nomination, including his plan to transform the historic FBI Hoover Building into a museum of the deep state.

“Cash said in an interview that if he were ever running the FBI, he would shut down the FBI Hoover Building on day one and reopen it the next day as a museum of the deep state.” (00:40)

Patel’s confirmation was narrowly secured with a 51 to 49 vote, with Senators Susan Collins and Lisa Murkowski voting against his appointment. Slater emphasizes the significance of this leadership change amidst ongoing debates about the FBI’s role and efficiency.

2. Reduction of IRS Workforce and Economic Policy Shifts
The update moves to the firing of 6,000 IRS employees, representing about 6% of the agency’s workforce. Slater notes that these employees are primarily probationary and have been with the agency for less than a year.

“6,000 IRS employees are being fired. This would eliminate about 6% of the agency's workforce.” (01:15)

He contrasts this move with former President Joe Biden’s proposal to increase IRS staffing by 80,000, suggesting a significant policy reversal under the current administration. Slater further explains that Donald Trump’s new Commerce Secretary aims to eliminate the IRS entirely, replacing income tax with tariff revenue. This aligns with statements from Trump’s National Economic Council Director, who echoed the goal of removing income tax.

3. Rejection of Doge Dividend Proposal
Slater briefly touches on Trump’s dismissal of the Doge dividend idea, which proposed distributing 20% of Dogecoin savings to American taxpayers.

“Trump threw out the idea of a doge dividend where 20% of all doge savings goes right to the American people.” (01:45)

He breaks down the potential financial impact, estimating $5,000 per taxpayer from a $2 trillion reduction in federal spending, with the remaining funds allocated to national debt repayment.

4. U.S.-Ukraine Relations and Mineral Wealth Negotiations
Addressing foreign policy, Slater reports that Trump administration officials have instructed Ukraine to cease negative rhetoric towards the U.S. and President Trump. Additionally, he mentions negotiations for Ukraine to hand over half of its mineral wealth to the United States as repayment for American investments.

“Scott Besant, our treasury secretary, was just in Ukraine where he told Zelensky that half of Ukraine's mineral wealth would be a nice repayment for all the money we've spent in Ukraine.” (02:30)

5. Team USA vs. Canada Hockey Finals and International Competition Implications
The segment concludes with a sports-related discussion about the Team USA vs. Canada Hockey Finals, where Canada emerged victorious in overtime with a score of 3 to 2. Slater speculates on the potential fallout, questioning whether Trump will allow Canada to continue competing independently in international competitions, akin to Puerto Rico’s separate national baseball team.

“It's going to be interesting to see if Trump lets Canada compete as its own country in international competitions or not.” (02:55)

Slater hints that this could jeopardize Canada’s participation in future international events, marking a significant shift in diplomatic and sporting relations.

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Bill O’Reilly’s Message of the Day

1. Elon Musk Controversy and Defense of Trump’s Leadership
Transitioning to his personal commentary, Bill O’Reilly addresses the Elon Musk controversy, labeling it as contrived and foolish. He criticizes activists for their role in fueling misinformation and defends President Trump’s appointment of Musk to a governmental role.

“The entire Elon Musk controversy is contrived, foolish and peddled by activists ignorant of American history.” (04:00)

O’Reilly draws parallels between Trump’s actions and those of past presidents Franklin D. Roosevelt (FDR) and John F. Kennedy (JFK), highlighting the use of unelected advisors or "brain trusts" to manage governmental affairs.

“What Mr. Trump has done is the same thing FDR and JFK did. No difference whatsoever.” (05:10)

2. Historical Comparisons: FDR and JFK’s Advising Circles
He elaborates on FDR’s and JFK’s methods of appointing influential, unelected individuals to key advisory positions, arguing that Trump’s appointment of Elon Musk follows a similar tradition.

“President Roosevelt brought in a fellow New Yorker named Harry Hopkins in 1933 to advise him on how to deal with the Great Depression.” (05:30)
“President Kennedy had his own brain trust... none of them were appointed, none of them confirmed.” (06:05)

3. Critique of Democratic Opposition and Doge Initiative
O’Reilly criticizes the anti-Musk faction within the Trump camp, suggesting their opposition is driven by hatred rather than substantive concerns. He also touches upon the Doge initiative, expressing uncertainty about its success but asserting that it deserves a chance.

“Most have no interest in pursuing the truth. It's way too hard now. I don't know, Elon Musk. This Doge business might pay off. It might not, but it deserves a chance.” (07:00)

4. Audience Q&A: Debunking Misinformation
In response to listener mail, O’Reilly addresses several misconceptions:

• USAID Establishment: He refutes claims that USAID was established through an executive order, clarifying that it was established by Congress in 1961 under President JFK.

  “No, I will not, Louie, because It's not true. 1961 JFK President, Congress established USAID.” (07:30)

• Department of Education Disbandment: O’Reilly explains that President Trump cannot unilaterally disband the Department of Education, emphasizing that only Congress holds that authority.

  “President Trump wants to disband the Department of Education. Why did he Bother appointing Linda McMahon as Secretary of Education? Because he can't disband it.” (08:00)

• NATO Membership Negotiations: He comments on the failed negotiations with Putin regarding NATO membership for Ukraine, asserting that removing NATO from the table would have been necessary for Putin’s participation.

  “You got to take NATO off the table for Ukraine or Putin's not showing up at the table.” (08:25)

• Catholic Charities Funding Misconception: O’Reilly corrects the misinformation that Catholic Charities received $2 billion, clarifying that the actual amount was $5.5 million designated for humanitarian purposes.

  “Catholic Charities received $5.5 million in 2024 fiscal year. Not 2 billion.” (08:38)

5. Conclusion and Final Thoughts
O’Reilly wraps up his message by reiterating his support for President Trump’s policies and criticizing the Democratic opposition’s stance on figures like Elon Musk. He calls for giving initiatives like Doge a fair chance despite political resistance.

“Donald Trump has named Elon Musk as a quote, special government employee. Well, all hell is breaking loose. Why? Because of Trump. Hate hatred, that's why.” (09:00)

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Closing Remarks

The episode concludes with a brief promotional segment encouraging listeners to visit billoreilly.com for more news and analysis. Throughout the episode, O’Reilly emphasizes his commitment to presenting facts without spin, aligning with the show's tagline, "No Spin. Just Facts."

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Notable Quotes:

• “Cash said in an interview that if he were ever running the FBI, he would shut down the FBI Hoover Building on day one and reopen it the next day as a museum of the deep state.” — Mike Slater (00:40)

• “The entire Elon Musk controversy is contrived, foolish and peddled by activists ignorant of American history.” — Bill O’Reilly (04:00)

• “What Mr. Trump has done is the same thing FDR and JFK did. No difference whatsoever.” — Bill O’Reilly (05:10)

• “You got to take NATO off the table for Ukraine or Putin's not showing up at the table.” — Bill O’Reilly (08:25)

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This episode of The O’Reilly Update offers a critical examination of current political shifts, economic policies, and international relations, framed through O’Reilly’s conservative lens. Listeners are provided with insights into the implications of leadership changes, workforce reductions in federal agencies, and the broader impact of Trump’s administration on both domestic and global stages.

Transcript

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[Bill O'Reilly]

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[Bill O'Reilly]

Bill O'Reilly, here. You are listening to the weekend edition of the O'Reilly update. Coming up next, the News with Mike Slater.

[Mike Slater]

Thanks, Bill. Here's what's happening this week in America. Cash confirmed IRS agents fired Ukrainian minerals and Team USA versus Canada. It's all coming up and Bill's gonna be with your message of the day. But first, Cash Patel has been confirmed to be the new head of the FBI. Cash said this is before he was nominated in an interview that if he were ever running the FBI, he would shut down the FBI Hoover Building on day one and reopen it the next day as a museum of the deep state. He said, I'd take seven, the 7,000 employees that work in the building and send them across America to chase down criminals. Go be cops. Your cops. Go be cops. Go chase down murderers and rapists and drug dealers and violent offenders. Cash was confirmed 51 to 49. Susan Collins remain and Murkowski from Alaska were the two Republicans who voted against him. 6,000 IRS employees are being fired. This would eliminate about 6% of the agency's workforce. These are all probationary employees. So these are people who have been at their job for less than a year. But that's not enough. Trump's new commerce secretary said the ultimate goal is to get rid of the IRS entirely. Also yesterday, Trump's National Economic Council director said the same thing. The goal is to eliminate the income tax and replace it with tariff revenue. So we have Trump firing 6,000 IRS agents. Remember, it was Joe Biden who wanted to increase the number of agents in the IRS by 80,000. I'll mention a quick Doge update. Trump threw out the idea of a doge dividend where 20% of all doge savings goes right to the American people. If DOGE cuts $2 trillion from federal spending, 20% of that is 400 billion. There's 75 million taxpayers. It's $5,000 per person. The rest would go down to pay the debt. Some White House officials have told Ukraine to stop badmouthing America. Stop badmouthing Trump and also to sign that deal and hand over half of Ukraine's mineral wealth to the United States. Mike Walls, our national security director, said some of the rhetoric coming out of Kiev and the insults to President Trump are unacceptable. Scott Besant, our treasury secretary, was just in Ukraine where he told Zelensky that half of Ukraine's mineral wealth would be a nice repayment for all the money we've spent in Ukraine. Team USA vs Canada Hockey Finals last night. Amazing game went into overtime. Unfortunately, Canada won 3 to 2. Justin Trudeau wrote on Twitter, you can't take our country and you can't take our game. It's going to be interesting to see if Trump lets Canada compete as its own country in international competitions or not. Like Puerto Rico has its own national baseball team. So will Trump let Canada still compete as Canada in the Olympics? This might be Canada's last international competition ever. I'm Mike Slater from Politics by faith. Bill O'Reilly with your message of the day next.

[Bill O'Reilly]

President Trump's victory is a win for America. It's what most voters think. But bidenomics has left us with a failing economy. I rely on American Hartford Gold to protect my savings with physical gold and silver. And you should consider that American Hartford Gold has thousands of five star ratings and an A from the Better Business Bureau. A tax Advantage gold IRA can shield you from worsening inflation. You can even roll over your 401k or IRA tax free and penalty free. So act now before it's too late. Call or text American Hartford Gold. Tell them Bill O'Reilly sent you for up to $15,000 of free silver on qualifying orders. Call 877444 gold or tax gold to 65532. That's 877444 gold or Tex Gold to 65532. Time now for the O'Reilly update. Message of the day. The entire Elon Musk controversy is contrived, foolish and peddled by activists ignorant of American history. The country's under assault. The poltroons say the Constitution's being trashed, all because President Trump appointed a billionaire to analyze wasteful federal spending. So here's the truth. What Mr. Trump has done is the same thing FDR and JFK did. No difference whatsoever. President Roosevelt brought in a fellow New Yorker named Harry Hopkins in 1933 to advise him on how to deal with the Great Depression. Hopkins had enormous power and even lived in the White House during World War II. Roosevelt also hired some of his Harvard pals to assist Hopkins. All were unelected and not confirmed by the Senate. President Kennedy followed FDR's playbook. He brought in his Boston buddies, Dave Powers, Kenny O'Donnell, Theodore Sorensen. Recently, there is compelling evidence that White House Chief of Staff Ron Klain actually ran the entire country under an often confused Joe Biden. Do you think the anti musk Trump cadre cares about all of that? They don't. Most have no interest in pursuing the truth. It's way too hard now. I don't know, Elon Musk. This Doge business might pay off. It might not, but it deserves a chance. I'm Bill O'Reilly. I approve the message by writing it. You can reach me billo reilly.com, billoriley.com name in town if you wish to opine. Okay, let's get to the mail. We got Louie Buckeye, Arizona. Hey, Bill, I've heard USAID was established through executive order. Will you confirm? No, I will not, Louie, because It's not true. 1961 JFK President, Congress established USAID. Border involved. Gary Holt, Anchorage, Alaska. President Trump wants to disband the Department of Education. Why did he Bother appointing Linda McMahon as Secretary of Education? Because he can't disband it. Congress, the only one, can. Now, he could slim it down, and that's what Linda's gonna do. But he can't chuck it, Jerry. Bill, I don't get the Putin thing. Why rule NATO membership out even before starting negotiations? Because Putin wouldn't show up unless you did. You got to take NATO off the table for Ukraine or Putin's not showing up. You got to get them to the table. And that was never going to happen anyway. Ukraine, NATO, it's too provocative to the Russian system. Scott Malone, Ellsworth, Maine. How do you see the Ukraine border ending up? If Trump and Putin come to a ceasefire, Ukraine will lose some territory. Backwater mostly, but it'll lose some. Putin has to save face. That's what's likely to happen. Mary Loftus, Lenexa, Kansas. Catholic charities received over 2 billion from the US government. So Pope Francis is taking billions from the American taxpayer? That's not even close to being truth, Mary. Not even in the universe of truthfulness. So Catholic Charities received $5.5 million in 2024 fiscal year. Not 2 billion. Five and a half million. That money was earmarked for humanitarian purposes. Food, shelter, blankets. Now, Mary, if you would do me a colossal favor and just tell me who told you that Catholic charity's got 2 billion, I would like to know that in a moment, something you might not know.

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[Bill O'Reilly]

Brings you something you might not know. Democrats may have finally found a person they hate as much as Donald Trump and his name is Elon Musk. The South African born billionaire has enraged liberal lawmakers like Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren because he wants to analyze taxpayer dollars to cut wasteful spending. The Department of Government of Efficiency, or doge, is unlawful. Critics say Elon Musk is running the White House is the other lament. What they failed to consider is that Democratic icons John F. Kennedy and Franklin Roosevelt did exactly the same thing President Trump is doing. FDR called his unelected inner circle the brain trust. The cadre was responsible for much of the legislation of the first 100 days, which ended in June 1933. During his first presidential campaign, Roosevelt assembled a group of academics and intellectuals to counsel him on policy. Members included three Columbia University professors, Raymond Moley, Rexford, Guy Tugwell and Adolph Burley. It also included a few big fundraisers for Roosevelt. Now these unknown men were instrumental in creating dozens of government agencies including the Social Security Board, securities and Exchange Commission, Federal Housing Administration, the fcc, and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, better known as the fdic. All of that created by unelected officials. Three decades later, President John F. Kennedy had his own brain trust. The inner circle included his brother Bobby, Kenneth O'Donnell, a special assistant, Dave Powers, another special assistant, and his speechwriter Theodore Sorensen. None of them were appointed, none of them confirmed. But now, 61 years after the assassination of JFK, Donald Trump has named Elon Musk as a quote, special government employee. Well, all hell is breaking loose. Why? Because of Trump. Hate hatred, that's why. Let's give this Doge a chance back after this.

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[Bill O'Reilly]

That is the weekend edition of the O'Reilly update. For more news and honest analysis, please go to billoreilly.com.