Episode Overview

Podcast: Bill O’Reilly’s No Spin News and Analysis
Episode: The O'Reilly Update. January 26, 2026
Hosts: Mike Slater (filling in for Bill O’Reilly), Bill O’Reilly (brief introduction)
Theme:
This episode delivers a rapid-fire roundup of current U.S. news, focusing on national crises (winter storms, fallout from shootings and protests), the aftermath of violence in Minneapolis, alarming developments in Iran, and a gripping climb by Alex Honnold. The "Message of the Day" zeroes in on crime, immigration enforcement, sanctuary cities, and the chaotic aftermath of progressive policies in American cities, particularly Minneapolis.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Major Winter Storms Hit the U.S.

• [00:17–01:15]
  • Severe storms left over a million people without power across the Midwest and Northeast.
  • Notable snowfall totals: Arkansas (8”), Illinois/Ohio (11”), Indiana (13”), Missouri (12”), New Jersey (12”), Pennsylvania (15”).
  • Ice storm warnings affected Southern states from Texas to the Carolinas.
  • Insight: Emphasis on the breadth and impact of winter weather events, with an undertone of how infrastructure and preparedness are tested by such storms.

2. Minneapolis Shooting: Political Fallout and Administration Response

• [01:16–03:25]
  • In response to a shooting in Minneapolis, the President urged Democratic mayors and governors to cooperate with federal law enforcement.
  • Proposed ending “sanctuary cities” and called for the immediate deportation of incarcerated criminal illegal aliens.
  • Strong language supporting law enforcement and stricter immigration measures.
  • Notable Quote (President, paraphrased by Slater):
    "American cities should be sanctuaries for law abiding American citizens only, not illegal alien criminals who broke our nation's laws." [02:31]
  • Insight: Highlights the administration’s hard stance on illegal immigration and the political pressure on local officials.

3. Iran’s Protests and Deadly Crackdown

• [03:26–04:14]
  • Ongoing protests in Iran resulted in an alleged 36,000 deaths at the hands of the regime.
  • U.S. has a significant naval presence ready in the region.
  • Reports of Iran’s supreme leader retreating to an underground shelter.
  • Notable Quote (President, paraphrased by Slater):
    "We have a massive fleet headed in that direction and maybe we won't have to use it. We'll see." [03:55]
  • Insight: Dramatizes the volatility of U.S.-Iran relations and the gravity of internal repression.

4. Alex Honnold’s Daring Taipei 101 Climb

• [04:15–05:04]
  • Alex Honnold free-soloed the 1,667ft Taipei 101 skyscraper, live on Netflix.
  • Managed the feat in 90 minutes (previous record with ropes was 4 hours).
  • Notable Moment:
    "There were parts when he was just hanging with his arms a thousand feet in the air and and had to pull himself out multiple times with his wife watching from the ground." [04:43]
  • Tone: Awe and anxiety, describing the event as “insane”.

5. Message of the Day: Crime, Riots, and Minneapolis

Historical Context: Berkeley Riots of 1969

• [05:25–07:25]
  • Parallels drawn between recent Minneapolis unrest and the 1969 Berkeley riots under Governor Ronald Reagan.
  • Reagan’s hard-nosed approach:
    "Negotiate? What is there to negotiate?" [06:55]
  • Insight: Suggests that leniency emboldens rioters and that decisive action is necessary.

Minneapolis Unrest and Somali Fraud Scandal

• [07:26–11:19]
  • Allegations link the current civil unrest to defending Somali-operated Medicaid fraud rings.
  • Detailed Example: Smart Therapy Center—license revoked for $14M Medicaid fraud led by Asha Farhan Hassan.
  • Fraud involved fake autism diagnoses and kickbacks; labeled "the autism scandal."
  • Notable Quote:
    "You cannot show a random video of anywhere in downtown Minneapolis without the background probably being a Somali fraud operation." [10:54]
  • Insight: Strong connection drawn between crime, illegal immigration, and what Slater sees as lax enforcement driven by progressive politics.

ICE Enforcement in Minnesota

• [11:20–12:27]
  • ICE has arrested illegal aliens involved in violent crimes (murder, abuse, assault, etc.).
  • Rhetorical Question:
    "Now do you want them to be here? These leftists do? Are you going to let them win?" [12:15]
  • Insight: Sets up a binary political choice, portraying strict enforcement as the only rational option.

6. "Something You Might Not Know": Autonomous Zones and Border Irony

• [12:28–15:07]
  • Recalls CHAZ (Capitol Hill Autonomous Zone) in Seattle (2020): devolved into chaos, gang control, shootings.
  • Draws direct comparison to events in Minneapolis, where protest zones are established with physical barriers and checkpoints, ironically mirroring border security measures.
  • Notable Quote:
    "The lawless zone has border walls and ID checkpoints to keep their people safe. Let that sink in." [14:23]
  • Insight: Highlights perceived hypocrisy of activists; critiques progressive enclaves for enacting practices they otherwise condemn.

7. Broader Political Takeaways

• [15:08–End]
  • Argues that local cooperation with ICE leads to safe communities, contrasts with Minneapolis.
  • Warns listeners that conceding to leftist policies will lead to further chaos, invoking CHAZ as a cautionary tale.
  • Notable Quote:
    "If we let them win, they'll turn this whole country into a Chaz." [15:43]

Timestamps for Important Segments

| Timestamp | Segment Description | |-------------|------------------------------------| | 00:17-01:15 | Winter storm devastation | | 01:16-03:25 | Minneapolis shooting & Trump’s response | | 03:26-04:14 | Iran protests & U.S. military stance | | 04:15-05:04 | Alex Honnold climbs Taipei 101 | | 05:25-07:25 | Reagan/Berkeley riots history | | 07:26-11:19 | Somali Medicaid fraud & Minneapolis | | 12:28-15:07 | CHAZ analogy & border irony | | 15:08–End | Final warnings and summary |

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• President on sanctuary cities:
  "American cities should be sanctuaries for law abiding American citizens only, not illegal alien criminals who broke our nation's laws." [02:31]

• Mike Slater on leftist protest motives:
  "Leftists will find anything to riot about." [07:17]

• On Somali fraud allegations:
  "You cannot show a random video of anywhere in downtown Minneapolis without the background probably being a Somali fraud operation." [10:54]

• On autonomous zone irony:
  "The lawless zone has border walls and ID checkpoints to keep their people safe. Let that sink in." [14:23]

• Closing warning:
  "If we let them win, they'll turn this whole country into a Chaz." [15:43]

Tone and Language

• The podcast is direct, urgent, and unapologetic, with language bordering on polemic.
• Mike Slater (and paraphrased quotes from Bill O’Reilly and the President) employ vivid imagery and rhetorical questions, clearly designed to mobilize listeners and highlight perceived threats to law and order.

Summary

This episode combines hard news bulletins with forceful conservative commentary. It weaves together extreme weather, violent unrest, alleged fraud, immigration enforcement, and recent historical events to paint a picture of cities in chaos due to progressive policies. Through anecdotes and detailed allegations, Slater presses home the podcast’s stance: strict law enforcement and opposition to sanctuary policies are essential for America’s safety and sovereignty.