Podcast Summary: The O’Reilly Update, February 25, 2026

Podcast: Bill O’Reilly’s No Spin News and Analysis
Host: Bill O’Reilly
Date: February 25, 2026

Episode Overview

This episode of The O’Reilly Update covers the fallout from the previous night’s State of the Union (SOTU), focusing on high-profile issues, reactions from lawmakers, and major award announcements. The episode also delves into a recent controversy involving California Governor Gavin Newsom’s remarks in an interview, listener mail about U.S. hockey teams and Canada, and a historical look back at Muhammad Ali’s first championship. The tone remains direct, analytical, and at times critical, in line with Bill O’Reilly's "No Spin" brand.

Main News Recap with Mike Slater

[00:39-03:32]

• State of the Union Highlights

  • The president delivered the longest-ever SOTU, focusing on what were described as "9010 issues"—policies with presumed strong bipartisan support:
    • SAVE Act: Voter ID requirements
    • No driver’s licenses for illegal aliens driving 18-wheelers
    • $1,000 for every child in Trump Accounts
    • Ban on AI data centers that don’t keep electric bills static
    • Protecting neighborhoods and ending insider trading by Congress members
  • Memorable contrast: “The first duty of the American government is to protect American citizens, rather than illegal aliens.” — Democrats did not stand or applaud. (01:45)

• Reactions and Notable Moments

  • Democrats “did not honor” or stand for Arynia Zaritska’s mother (victim of a career criminal with repeat offenses) or for Michael Dell’s record $6.25 billion donation to Trump Accounts, “because it’s called Trump Accounts and they have TDS” [Trump Derangement Syndrome].
  • The president gave out major honors including:
    • Presidential Medal of Freedom to Team USA hockey goalie
    • Purple Heart to a National Guardsman injured in Afghanistan
    • Legion of Merit to a U.S. Coast Guard officer for heroic rescue
    • Two Medals of Honor: One to Eric Slover (pilot in raid that captured Maduro) and one to Navy Captain Royce Williams (historic Korean War dogfight)

• U.S.–Iran Tensions

  • 150 aircraft moved to European and Middle East bases; 12 U.S. F-22s to Israel. Marco Rubio met with DC lawmakers on the plans.

Quote:
“Many Democrats also did not stand for the mother of Arynia Zaritska, who was killed on that train at Charlotte… Democrats did not honor her.” – Mike Slater [02:15]
“They did not even stand and applaud for Michael Dell for his $6.25 billion donation to Trump Accounts… because it’s called Trump accounts and they have TDS.” – Mike Slater [02:30]

Message of the Day: Gavin Newsom Controversy

[03:32-07:28]

• Governor Newsom’s Interview Fallout
  • Gavin Newsom, in a media blitz for his new book, describes himself as having low SAT scores, saying he’s “just like you” to a Black interviewer in Atlanta.
  • Accusations of racism followed, despite Newsom’s intent to appear relatable.
  • O’Reilly criticizes the “dishonest label” of racism, noting such attacks are usually launched by liberals against conservatives, but this time, the roles are reversed.

O’Reilly’s perspective:

• “The R word often used to demonize its target, perhaps cancel a person… Newsom was pounded. There are far better ways to dissent from Governor Newsom’s agenda than to tag him with a dishonest label.” [04:30]
• “His record in California is certainly up for scrutiny, but peddling hatred is much easier than honest analysis, as Gavin Newsom has learned the hard way.” [04:55]

Listener Mailbag: U.S. Hockey and Canada

[05:32-07:28]

• Debate Over SOTU Invitations

  • Listener Neil questions O’Reilly’s fairness about President Trump’s invite to the men’s hockey team.
    • O’Reilly clarifies: Invitation was direct to the team; the women’s team should decide for themselves. (O’Reilly promises to name the decision-makers in a YouTube segment.)

• Views on U.S./Canada Relations

  • Robin White (Chester, VA): Proud of both hockey teams, calls for better U.S.–Canadian relations.
  • Concierge member John: Hopes Trump realizes attacking Canada is a blunder. O’Reilly counters it’s “criticism,” not an “attack.”
  • Perry: “It isn’t Canadians that are the problem. It’s their leadership. Country has drifted way too far left.”
    • O’Reilly agrees, noting political leadership rather than the people.

Historical Segment: Muhammad Ali Defeats Sonny Liston

[07:52-10:36]

• 62 Years Ago: Cassius Clay Upsets Sonny Liston
  • Background: Clay had 100 amateur wins, Olympic gold, and turned pro after Rome 1960.
  • On Feb 25, 1964, Clay (later Ali) shocked the boxing world by beating Liston, a 15-1 favorite.
  • Fight Fixing Allegations: FBI believed the mob fixed the fight; Liston met with gangsters, with mob allegedly raking in $2 million in Vegas bets.
  • Post-fight: Clay celebrated with Malcolm X, announced joining the Nation of Islam, and rejected his “slave name.”

Quote:
“Sonny Liston met with known gangsters leading up to the fight. The scheme reportedly earned the mob about $2 million because they bet against the champion, Liston.” – Bill O’Reilly [09:40]
“Two days later, Cassius announced he was joining the Nation of Islam and rejecting his family name, saying it was given to him by slave masters.” – Bill O’Reilly [10:05]

Notable Quotes & Moments

• “Peddling hatred is much easier than honest analysis, as Gavin Newsom has learned the hard way.” – Bill O’Reilly [04:55]
• “Democrats did not want to applaud it because it’s called Trump accounts and they have TDS.” – Mike Slater [02:30]
• “There are far better ways to dissent from Governor Newsom’s agenda than to tag him with a dishonest label.” – Bill O’Reilly [04:30]
• “It isn’t Canadians that are the problem. It’s their leadership. Country has drifted way too far left. I don’t disagree with that.” – Bill O’Reilly [07:22]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• News Recap/SOTU Review: [00:39–03:32]
• Gavin Newsom Controversy (Message of the Day): [03:32–05:32]
• Listener Mailbag (U.S. Hockey/Canada): [05:32–07:28]
• Muhammad Ali/Sonny Liston History: [07:52–10:36]

This episode provides a pointed breakdown of current political divides following the SOTU, a critique of media and political labeling, and insightful historical context on Muhammad Ali’s legacy, all delivered with the show’s signature directness and skepticism toward mainstream narratives.