Podcast Summary: Bill O’Reilly’s No Spin News and Analysis — The O'Reilly Update (January 15, 2026)

Episode Overview

In this episode of The O'Reilly Update, Bill O'Reilly and news contributor Mike Slater cover major national and international headlines, ranging from U.S proposals regarding Greenland, an ICE shooting incident, Verizon's nationwide outage, and unrest in Iran. O'Reilly delivers his take on President Trump's second term performance and answers listener questions, before wrapping up with a historical segment about New York’s legendary Fraunces Tavern.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. U.S. Diplomatic Moves on Greenland

[00:09–01:08]

• News: The U.S. administration, including the Vice President and Secretary of State, recently met with Danish and Greenlandic diplomats, pressing the claim that "the United States needs Greenland for the purpose of national security" and that "NATO should be leading the way for us to get it."
• Presidential Quote: “On Air Force One, the president said one way or another, we are going to have Greenland.” (Mike Slater, 00:33)
• Historical Context: Comparison to earlier U.S. actions: 1917's purchase of the Virgin Islands from Denmark and the 1946 attempt to buy Greenland.

2. ICE Officer Shooting Incident

[01:09–01:56]

• An ICE officer who shot Renee Goode (details not described in transcript) suffered internal bleeding, with a history of prior serious injury.
• Goode's family retained the lawyer responsible for representing George Floyd’s family.
• Notable Family Quote:
  “There's so much chaos in the world today. We need to turn to God and walk in the spirit of God and let him lead us and guide us. ... If we're walking in the spirit of God, I don't think she would have been there.”
  (Goode’s ex father-in-law, quoted by Mike Slater, 01:44)

3. Verizon National Outage

[01:57–02:23]

• Widespread Verizon outage hit major U.S. cities midday, affecting 146 million customers.
• Food for thought: Verizon recently laid off 13,000 employees—their largest cut ever.

4. Protests and Starlink Access in Iran

[02:24–03:02]

• Protests in Iran are escalating amid resource shortages and massive inflation.
• The Iranian government cut off the Internet, but SpaceX’s Starlink reportedly waived fees and people have smuggled in as many as 50,000 units.
• Notable Detail:
  “People have been smuggling in Starlink units now to share videos of, for instance, bodies piled up at a morgue.”
  (Mike Slater, 02:44)

O'Reilly’s Message of the Day: Evaluating Trump’s Second Term

[03:03–04:25]

• Central Thesis: The sole fair way to judge Trump’s second term is by policy results, not demeanor.
• O'Reilly’s view:
  • Economic strength improving, but high prices remain.
  • Crime rates have dropped.
  • Illegal immigration largely stopped, replaced by controversial roundups.
  • Strong responses to leaders in Venezuela, Iran, and Cuba; progress with China remains uncertain.
• Notable Quote:
  “In my opinion, that's a pretty strong record in 12 months—not perfect, but trending positive for most Americans, even those who hate Donald Trump. However, hatred always overrides rational thought, always.”
  (Bill O’Reilly, 04:17)

Mail Segment: Listener Questions & O’Reilly’s Responses

[04:26–07:08]

1. ICE Enforcement & Protester Violence

• Rodney Hampton (Denton, TX): Questions O’Reilly’s stance on de-escalation and law enforcement during protest violence.
• O'Reilly’s Response:
  • Emphasizes de-escalation isn’t “walking away,” but enforcing law smartly.
  • “If you are a Trump supporter, you should know—one more dead American at the hands of ICE, Democrats win the midterms.”
    (Bill O’Reilly, 05:12)

2. De-escalation Policy Critique

• Bob Schindler (Quag, NY): Disagrees that de-escalation is working, noting continued obstructions.
• O’Reilly’s Reply: Stands by his “compelling argument.”

3. ICE Training Standards

• Susan Arrow (Livingston, MT): Asks about conflicting legal stories involving ICE training.
• O’Reilly’s Response: ICE agents are trained like other federal officers; no concerns with their training protocol.

Something You Might Not Know: History of Fraunces Tavern

[07:09–09:00]

• Anniversary: 264 years ago, Fraunces Tavern opened in Manhattan, soon becoming a center for revolutionary leaders.
• Hosted George Washington’s farewell to his officers in 1783.
• Washington’s Farewell Quote:
  “With a heart full of love and gratitude, I now take leave of you. I most devoutly wish that your latter days may be as prosperous and happy as your former ones have been, glorious and honorable.”
  (George Washington, quoted by O’Reilly, 08:32)
• Still stands today, visited by many.
• Trivia: The tavern played a role in exposing Benedict Arnold’s treason, with an overheard toast leading to the unraveling of his plot.

Notable Quotes by Timestamp

• Greenland Push:
  “On Air Force One, the president said one way or another, we are going to have Greenland.”
  (Mike Slater, 00:33)
• Reflections on Violence and Faith:
  “We need to turn to God ... If we're walking in the spirit of God, I don't think she would have been there.”
  (Renee Goode’s ex father-in-law, 01:44)
• Iran Protest Coverage:
  “People have been smuggling in Starlink units now to share videos of, for instance, bodies piled up at a morgue.”
  (Mike Slater, 02:44)
• O’Reilly on Trump Term:
  “In my opinion, that's a pretty strong record in 12 months—not perfect, but trending positive for most Americans, even those who hate Donald Trump. However, hatred always overrides rational thought, always.”
  (Bill O'Reilly, 04:17)
• Listener Mail:
  “If you are a Trump supporter, you should know—one more dead American at the hands of ICE, Democrats win the midterms.”
  (Bill O'Reilly, 05:12)
• Washington’s Farewell:
  “With a heart full of love and gratitude, I now take leave of you.”
  (George Washington, 08:32)

Tone and Style

O’Reilly and Slater maintain a brisk, no-frills, opinionated delivery throughout. News is presented with historical context and analysis, emphasizing “no spin, just facts,” though unmistakably from a conservative and often combative viewpoint. The mailbag segment reinforces O’Reilly’s persona as a direct, unapologetic commentator committed to his point of view and audience engagement.

This summary covers all major content sections in this episode, and should prove useful to those seeking a fact-based, nuanced recounting of the broadcast’s most salient points.