Episode Overview

Podcast: Bill O’Reilly’s No Spin News and Analysis
Episode: The O'Reilly Update, January 17, 2026
Host: Bill O’Reilly
Runtime: ~10 minutes
Main Theme:
This weekend edition of The O’Reilly Update delivers a roundup of major national and international news stories, a critical “message of the day” focused on media bias, listener feedback on hot-button topics, and a segment on cultural history—all delivered in Bill O’Reilly’s signature direct, assertive style.

Key Discussion Points

1. National and International News Highlights

Delivered by Mike Slater [00:10-03:01]

• Insurrection Act Threat & Minnesota Unrest

  • President threatens to invoke the Insurrection Act if Minnesota leaders don’t curb “agitators and insurrectionists” confronting ICE agents.
  • “If the corrupt politicians in Minnesota don't obey the law and stop the professional agitators and insurrectionists from attacking the patriots of ICE...I will institute the Insurrection Act, which many presidents have done before me.” [00:16]
  • Historical context: Invoked 30 times by 15 presidents; last used by George H.W. Bush in 1992 during the Rodney King riots.
  • Deputy Attorney General issues a stern warning to local officials:
    “I'm focused on stopping you from your terrorism by whatever means necessary. This is not a threat. It's a promise.” [00:39]

• European Troop Deployment to Greenland

  • France to deploy troops to Greenland in solidarity with Denmark amidst U.S. “Trump administration trying to gain control of Greenland.”
  • Other NATO contributions: Germany (13 troops), Norway (2), England (“One guy, one British guy. Real show of strength from NATO.”).
  • Trump’s skepticism on Denmark’s readiness:
    “I can't rely on Denmark being able to fend themselves off... They put an extra dog sled there last month. They added a second dog sled. That's not going to do the trick.” [01:16]

• College Basketball Point-Shaving Scandal

  • 17 individuals indicted for fixing college basketball and Chinese Basketball Association games (2022-2025).
  • Bribe payments ranged from $10,000-$30,000 per game; Famous player involved: Antonio Blakeney.
  • Total of 29 games fixed.

• Venezuelan Nobel Peace Prize "Transfer"

  • Maria Machado claims to have symbolically presented President Trump with her Nobel Prize:
    “The people of Bolivar are giving back to their heir of Washington a medal, in this case the medal of the Nobel Peace Prize as a recognition for his unique commitment with our freedom.” [02:17]
  • Note: Nobel Committee says the Peace Prize is non-transferable.

2. Message of the Day: The Associated Press and Media Bias

Presented by Bill O’Reilly [03:01-06:38]

• O'Reilly criticizes the Associated Press (AP) for biased coverage that allegedly seeks to undermine the Trump administration.
• Example: AP report on a Portland, Oregon shooting by Border Patrol agents described as casting doubt on the official explanation despite law enforcement’s gang affiliation claims about the suspects.
• “The reality is the Associated Press wants to make the Trump administration look bad, not by directly attacking the president, but by story selection and deep skepticism.” [03:21]
• Notes the AP’s removal from the White House for alleged bias, ongoing lawsuit, and lack of access.
• “Clearly, the Associated Press sought to undermine the Trump administration in this case, and that is shameful.” [04:05]

3. Listener Mail & Direct Responses

Q&A with O’Reilly [06:38-08:10]

• Robert (Concierge Member), Law Enforcement Veteran:

  • Disappointed in Minnesota police for not protecting ICE officers.
  • O'Reilly: “That's true. I think that was horrible. You never saw the local cops in these confrontations.” [06:49]

• Lynn, Atlanta:

  • Thinks the recent shooting was a "bad shooting" and that de-escalation was needed.
  • O’Reilly: The situation is complex—requires video analysis and understanding of officer’s mindset.

• Seth, Longtime Listener:

  • Disagrees with O'Reilly on shooting causation, cites inflammatory language from the left as the spark, even as he acknowledges Biden's border policy sets the stage.
  • O'Reilly: “It's a stair step. None of this would be in play. The rebellion would not be going on without Biden's dereliction of duty.” [07:42]

• Seth’s feedback on O’Reilly’s books—mentions his 11-year-old loves the “cursing parrot” in Confronting the Presidents.

4. Something You Might Not Know: Elvis Presley’s Aloha from Hawaii

Mini Feature by O’Reilly [08:10-08:28]

• On January 14, 1973, Elvis Presley performed a historic live satellite special, “Aloha from Hawaii.”
• Viewed by 1.5 billion people, 40% of the world’s population at the time.
• Details Presley’s career arc, decline, and his 1977 death:
  • “Elvis Presley died from taking narcotics over a long period of time.” [08:28]
• Includes Elvis vocal impersonation and lyrics for color.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “The first was the terrible tyrant Thomas Jefferson in 1807.” (Mike Slater, on history of Insurrection Act) [00:21]
• “One guy, one British guy. Real show of strength from NATO.” (Mike Slater, on European deployment) [01:10]
• “I can't rely on Denmark ... They put an extra dog sled there last month. They added a second dog sled. That's not going to do the trick.” (Donald Trump, via Mike Slater) [01:16]
• “The reality is the Associated Press wants to make the Trump administration look bad, not by directly attacking the president, but by story selection and deep skepticism.” (Bill O’Reilly) [03:21]
• “None of this would be in play. The rebellion would not be going on without Biden's dereliction of duty.” (Bill O’Reilly) [07:42]
• “Elvis Presley died from taking narcotics over a long period of time.” (Bill O’Reilly) [08:28]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [00:10] – Mike Slater’s news roundup (Insurrection Act, Greenland, college basketball, Nobel Prize)
• [03:01] – O’Reilly’s “Message of the Day”: Critique of the Associated Press
• [06:38] – Listener mail: Law enforcement, shooting in Minnesota, Biden’s policies, book feedback
• [08:10] – “Something You Might Not Know”: Elvis’s Aloha from Hawaii
• [08:28+] – O’Reilly closes with reflections on Elvis’s life and death

Tone and Style

The episode is marked by O’Reilly’s trademark no-nonsense, often combative tone, skeptical of mainstream narratives and insistent on providing context he feels is missing from national discourse. The conversational moments, occasional humor (especially about the “dog sleds” and Elvis), and pointed listener Q&A make for a fast-paced, commentary-driven news update.

For more analysis, visit BillOReilly.com—“No spin, just facts, and always looking out for you.”