The O’Reilly Update — January 29, 2026

Host: Bill O’Reilly
News Segment: Mike Slater

Main Theme

This episode delivers a rundown of the day’s top news stories in the U.S., focusing on politics, government policy, law enforcement, and notable events. Bill O’Reilly’s "Message of the Day" addresses government accountability, the situation in Minnesota involving ICE and alleged insurrections, Trump administration decision-making, foreign influence, and media integrity. There's also a deep-dive historical segment on Prohibition in America, tying in lessons from the past with contemporary issues.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

News Headlines with Mike Slater ([00:09]–[03:04])

• Trump Accounts Initiative

  • A government-led program where every child born in the next four years receives $1,000 in a stock market investment account.
  • Details:
    • Parents or others can contribute up to $5,000 annually.
    • Children access the funds at age 18.
    • Examples of growth given compound interest:
      • $1,000 initial: ~$5,800 at 18.
      • $250/year: ~$20,700 at 18.
      • $5,000/year: ~$304,000 at 18.
      • $5,000/year till 55: ~$2.7 million.
    • Philanthropists, businesses (Bank of America cited), can contribute.

• Alex Preddy Shooting — New Video

  • Release of video showing Alex Preddy's prior encounters with law enforcement.
    • “There’s video of him...approaching agents, shouting at them, spitting...kicked the tail light out.” ([00:50])
    • Video shows Preddy with a gun in his waistband.
  • Multiple prior engagements with police before being shot and killed by federal agents.

• Assault on Ilhan Omar

  • A man in the front row at a town hall splashed apple cider vinegar on Representative Omar.
    • “He was arrested, charged with third degree assault. The liquid turned out to be apple cider vinegar.” ([01:32])

• U.S. Armada to Iran

  • President Trump announces a “massive armada” is quickly heading to Iran:
    • “...headed by the great aircraft carrier Abraham Lincoln...ready, willing and able to rapidly fulfil its mission with speed and violence if necessary.” ([01:50])
  • Central Command confirms deployment of Abraham Lincoln and three destroyers.

Message of the Day — Bill O’Reilly ([03:04]–[06:40])

• Government Transparency & Chain of Command

  • Calls for the FBI Director to brief the public regarding the ICE-Minnesota situation:
    • “I am urging the FBI director to hold a press conference...much to clarify here with a state insurrection that has led to two people being killed.” ([03:18])
  • Notes that Trump officials like Kash Patel can’t act independently; all decisions come from the White House.
    • Draws historical parallel to FDR's centralized leadership.

• Minnesota ‘Insurrection’ and Blame

  • Criticizes President Biden for blaming Trump for Minnesota disorder:
    • “Come on, Joe. You caused it with your amazingly irresponsible open border policy and now the nation suffers.” ([04:01])
  • Asserts that Trump must handle the crisis.

• Listener Questions & Commentary

  • On arresting alleged funders of insurrection (e.g., Neville Roy Singham):
    • “Anybody have evidence? Now we’re pushing for very aggressive investigation. Can’t round them up.” ([05:04])
  • On China’s motives for destabilizing the U.S.:
    • “Because they want to be the world’s most dominant power. ...Putin will never be, but China might be. They want to weaken us.” ([06:00])
  • On media’s legal protection:
    • “Can the news media be sued for lying? No, they can lie their butts off. ...If they lie about you...you can sue them big time.” ([05:18])
  • On "following the money" to uncover anarchist movements.
    • "There’s a lot of money going into Minneapolis to disrupt and that has led to death, no doubt about it." ([05:34])

Historical Segment: Prohibition in America ([06:40]–[09:56])

• The 18th Amendment & Prohibition

  • Summary of the events leading to the ratification of Prohibition.
  • Discusses the widespread resistance and ultimate failure; bootlegging and organized crime flourished.
  • “But once implemented, the ban on alcohol was a total failure. Consumption of booze remained the same. Prohibition forced the alcohol industry underground...” ([07:40])

• Repeal & Modern Alcohol Use

  • Explains how the 21st Amendment repealed Prohibition during the Great Depression.
  • Notes that Americans now drink more than ever; whiskey remains the most popular spirit.

• Book Plug

  • Encourages listeners to read O’Reilly’s book, "Killing the Mob," for more on Prohibition and organized crime.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the Trump Accounts Program:

  • “You can see why there’s a generation of disenfranchised folks who are not a part of our great innovation economy, the American economic engine." — Mike Slater ([00:19])
  • “If you just keep the $1,000 that you get on your birthday...that $1,000 turned into $5,800.” — Mike Slater ([00:42])

• O’Reilly on Leadership:

  • “All decisions come from the White House. Franklin Delano Roosevelt did the same thing for 13 years." — Bill O’Reilly ([03:30])

• Political Responsibility:

  • “Come on, Joe. You caused it with your amazingly irresponsible open border policy and now the nation suffers.” — Bill O’Reilly ([04:01])

• China’s Ambition:

  • “They [China] want to be the world’s most dominant power. That’s what it is. ...Putin will never be, but China might be.” — Bill O’Reilly ([06:00])

• On Prohibition:

  • “But once implemented, the ban on alcohol was a total failure. Consumption of booze remained the same.” — Bill O’Reilly ([07:42])
  • “Today, Americans are consuming more alcohol than ever before.” — Bill O’Reilly ([09:15])

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [00:09] — Mike Slater’s news rundown
• [00:19] — Details on Trump Accounts
• [00:50] — Alex Preddy video and law enforcement interactions
• [01:32] — Ilhan Omar town hall incident
• [01:50] — U.S. armada announcement to Iran
• [03:04] — O’Reilly’s Message of the Day (FBI, Minnesota, Trump, Biden)
• [04:01] — O’Reilly critiques Biden’s position on Minnesota
• [05:04] — Listener Q&A: Funding insurrection, media lawsuits
• [06:00] — O’Reilly on China’s geopolitical aims
• [06:40] — Prohibition history segment
• [07:42] — Analysis of Prohibition’s failure
• [09:15] — Modern alcohol consumption stats

Overall Tone & Takeaways

This episode combines fact-heavy news updates, pointed political commentary in O’Reilly’s direct style, and a historical essay for broader context. The tone is critical of the Biden administration, skeptical of foreign influencers, and supportive of strong, centralized executive leadership. The episode consistently circles back to themes of accountability, truth-telling, and the consequences—intended or otherwise—of government action.