Podcast Summary: The O'Reilly Update, February 23, 2026

Host: Bill O’Reilly
Guest News Recap: Mike Slater
Release Date: February 23, 2026

Episode Overview

This episode of The O’Reilly Update covers major current events in the U.S. and globally, with a focus on security, international law enforcement, tariffs, sports triumphs, and American history. Bill O’Reilly also delivers his "Message of the Day," primarily discussing voter ID laws and their political implications, and answers listener questions about U.S. foreign policy and economic outlook. The episode concludes with a historical segment on the iconic flag-raising at Iwo Jima.

Key Topics & Discussion Points

1. National Security: Mar-a-Lago Incident

[00:39–01:18]

• Incident details:
  • The Secret Service shot and killed 21-year-old Austin Tucker Martin, who attempted to enter Mar-a-Lago unlawfully while holding a shotgun and gas canister.
  • The President was not on site (hosting a dinner in Washington, D.C.) at the time.
• Response:
  • "The United States Secret Service acted quickly and decisively to neutralize a crazy person." — Caroline Levitt (reported by Mike Slater, 01:12)
• Context:
  • Law enforcement released a photo of the weapon.
  • The situation occurred overnight, prompting praise for the Secret Service’s efficiency.

2. International Crime: El Mencho Killed in Mexico

[01:19–01:54]

• Event details:
  • Mexican forces killed "El Mencho," head of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, a group described as Mexico’s "most violent of all the cartel leaders."
  • Operation to capture him resulted in the deaths of at least seven cartel members.
• US involvement:
  • "The Trump administration has been pressuring Mexico to remove this cartel leader." — Mike Slater (01:25)
• Aftermath:
  • Outbreak of violence across at least six Mexican states (burning cars reported).
  • U.S. Government advising citizens to shelter in place in five Mexican states.

3. Domestic Politics: Supreme Court & Tariffs

[01:55–02:36]

• Supreme Court ruling:
  • Blocked the president’s attempt to increase tariffs under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), 6-3 against.
• Presidential response:
  • The president called the ruling "ridiculous, poorly written, and extraordinarily anti-American."
  • Announces an immediate increase in worldwide tariffs from 10% to 15% under a different legal authority.
  • "I... will be effective immediately raising the 10% worldwide tariff... to the fully allowed and legally tested 15% level." — Presidential statement (02:19)

4. Sports Highlight: Team USA Wins Olympic Gold

[02:37–03:14]

• Event details:
  • Team USA men’s hockey defeats Canada 2–1 in overtime for their third gold medal, coinciding with the 46th anniversary of "Miracle on Ice."
• Memorable moment:
  • "Just a couple minutes after getting his teeth knocked out, literally scored the game winning goal for Team USA..." — Mike Slater (02:42)
  • Jack Hughes: "This is all about our country right now. I love the USA. I’m so proud to be an American today." (02:54)
• Medal count:
  • Norway: 41, USA: 33, Italy: 30.

O’Reilly Message of the Day

Voter ID Laws: Comparison with Europe

[04:32–05:45]

• Observation:
  • "Europe is a fairly liberal place... all of them have voter ID laws. All of them." — Bill O’Reilly (04:37)
  • Only partial exceptions exist in some Great Britain precincts.
• Contrast with U.S.:
  • O’Reilly challenges U.S. resistance to such laws.
  • "Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer leading that charge. Schumer says that if you pass a law demanding an id, you’re racist." (05:01)
  • O’Reilly criticizes this as "gibberish. Hogwash." (05:08)
• Key assertion:
  • "The states will provide you with an ID free of charge. They’ll even bring it to your house. So what’s the deal here, really? Well, it has to be: We want undocumented people to vote." (05:10)

Listener Mail: U.S. & China on Taiwan

[05:46–06:36]

• Question: Should the U.S. defend Taiwan?
• O’Reilly’s Response:
  • Advocates economic, not military, retaliation: cut off China’s access to world markets.
  • "If China comes over and militarily takes a free country, no one buys any China stuff anywhere. And that’s the end of China." (06:07)
  • Emphasizes the necessity of allied unity: "You’d have to have all the South Asian nations and do Japan and everybody on board." (06:18)
  • Warns against war: "Shooting war, boy, that would be catastrophic for the world, wouldn’t it?" (06:26)

Listener Mail: Economy & Opportunity

[06:37–07:35]

• Critique from listener Peter Avila, NH:
  • Takes issue with O’Reilly’s view of a "vibrant" economy, sharing personal and peer struggles to make ends meet.
• O’Reilly’s Response:
  • "When I say the economy is vibrant, I mean there are opportunities for you. So you’re not doing that well in New Hampshire. All right. Look around. There are jobs, good jobs. You may have to move. I had to move a lot. But there are opportunities to earn money here, and you got to be smart about it." (07:01–07:20)
  • Acknowledges the individual struggle, but maintains that economic indicators are stable.

"Something You Might Not Know": Iwo Jima & U.S. Military History

[08:53–10:09]

• Historical event:
  • Anniversary of US Marines capturing Mount Suribachi, Iwo Jima, on Feb 23, 1945.
  • Iconic flag-raising image created that day.
• Battle context:
  • American troops stormed the beaches on Feb 19 after months of bombing.
  • "On February 23, US forces won the high ground on Suribachi... first foreign flag to fly on Japanese soil in history."
  • Battle lasted five weeks; 7,000 Americans and 20,000 Japanese killed.
• Anecdote:
  • Two Japanese lieutenants held out on Iwo Jima until surrendering in 1949.
• Book plug:
  • O’Reilly suggests "Killing the Rising Sun" for more on WWII Pacific Theater.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• Caroline Levitt (via Slater) on Mar-a-Lago incident:

  • "The United States Secret Service acted quickly and decisively to neutralize a crazy person." [01:12]

• Presidential Statement on Tariff Ruling:

  • "...after many months of contemplation by the United States Supreme Court, please let this statement serve to represent that I as President United States will be effective immediately raising the 10% worldwide tariff... to the fully allowed and legally tested 15% level." [02:19]

• Jack Hughes (Team USA Hockey):

  • "This is all about our country right now. I love the USA. I’m so proud to be an American today." [02:54]

• Bill O’Reilly on Voter ID:

  • "Europe... all of them have voter ID laws. All of them... why is there resistance in the United States of America?" [04:37]
  • "The states will provide you with an ID free of charge. They’ll even bring it to your house." [05:10]

• Bill O’Reilly on China/Taiwan strategy:

  • "If China comes over and militarily takes a free country, no one buys any China stuff anywhere." [06:07]

Timestamps for Major Segments

• News Briefing with Mike Slater: 00:39–03:14
• Message of the Day — Voter ID Laws: 04:32–05:45
• Mailbag: Taiwan Defense & Economy: 05:46–07:35
• Iwo Jima "Something You Might Not Know": 08:53–10:09

Tone: The episode maintains O’Reilly’s signature direct, opinionated, and combative style, with a focus on straightforward news delivery and pointed editorial commentary on policy and politics.