The O’Reilly Update: March 18, 2026

Overview

In this episode of The O’Reilly Update, Bill O’Reilly and guest news host Mike Slater recap and analyze major headlines, focusing heavily on geopolitical turmoil surrounding Iran, a dramatic resignation at the National Counterterrorism Center, a mysterious meteor explosion over Ohio, and developments in international sports. O’Reilly delivers his signature "Message of the Day" critiquing America's European allies in the Iran conflict and takes listener questions related to oil prices and foreign policy. He closes with "Something You Might Not Know," providing global reaction to the joint US-Israeli strike on Iran's Supreme Leader.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. News Recap With Mike Slater (00:39)

• Joe Kent Resignation – National Counterterrorism Center

  • Kent steps down over opposition to the war with Iran. In a public letter, he asserts:
    "I cannot in good conscience support the ongoing war in Iran. Iran posed no imminent threat to our nation and it is clear that we started this war due to pressure from Israel and its powerful American lobby." (Mike Slater, 00:50)
  • Background: Kent is a former Green Beret and CIA officer, twice unsuccessful in Congressional races, appointed July 2025.
  • Presidential & White House Response:

    "I always thought he was a nice guy, but I always thought he was weak on security... It's a good thing that he's out because he said that Iran was not a threat. Iran was a tremendous threat." (Mike Slater, 01:23) Former deputy chief of staff: "Joe Kent is a crazed egomaniac who is often at the center of national security leaks while rarely or never producing any actual work." (Mike Slater, 01:36)

• Cuba Comments From the President

  • The President calls Cuba "a failed nation... nice land... landscape... a beautiful island." (Mike Slater, 01:50)
  • States "I do believe I'll have the honor of taking Cuba... I think I can do anything I want with it." (Mike Slater, 01:55)

• Meteor Explosion Over Ohio

  • A meteor, 6 ft across and weighing ~8 tons, exploded over Ohio and nearby states.
  • "It blew apart with the energy of 250 tons of TNT, which created quite a loud blast." (Mike Slater, 02:12)
  • Occurrences of this size are about monthly but rarely so visible/audible.

• World Baseball Classic

  • USA lost to Venezuela, despite a late-game tie: "Two run home run in the bottom of the eighth to tie it up... then we lost three to two. But at least one of our colonies won." (Mike Slater, 02:47)

2. O’Reilly’s Message of the Day: Geopolitical Frustration (04:05)

• Focus: Europe’s response to the US-Iran conflict—O’Reilly accuses NATO allies of failing the US.
• Regarding the Strait of Hormuz and Iran:

  “The Strait of Hormuz thing is beyond annoying. It's the only offensive capability the Iranians have left: lobbing drones at oil tankers.” (Bill O'Reilly, 04:05)

• Critical of NATO Allies:
  • “In a just world, all decent nations would line up against the homicidal mullahs and help the USA crush that terrorist state in Iran. But no, Germany says, ‘it's not our war.’ Spain won't even allow US Military aircraft to refuel on its soil… The Germans have conned America into protecting its interests and Spain is a committed socialist country.” (Bill O'Reilly, 04:17)
  • Praises Italy as an exception; disappointment in Britain:

    “Great Britain is a disappointment for sure. While it stood up during the Iraq war with Tony Blair as prime minister, the current PM Starmer is a waffle guy.” (05:01)

• O’Reilly hints at White House access for more details.
• Concludes:

  “Europe's weakness is once again exposed.” (05:33)

3. Listener Mailbag: Oil, Iran, and Media Critique (06:04)

• Oil Prices and Foreign Dependency

  • Question: Why are oil prices rising and does the US buy oil from abroad?
    • O'Reilly: "We are pretty much oil sufficient here..." (06:56)
    • Explains most purchases are for oil "components," not raw oil, to turn into gasoline.
    • Candidly: "Why? I just don't know. I'm not an expert in that. But we're not spending a lot of money on that, okay?" (06:49)

• Iran Conflict

  • Listener Peter from Canada: "The Iran conflict was a necessary move by the president, should have been done years ago." (07:02)
  • O'Reilly: "Well, good. You think for yourself. We need more of that, Peter." (07:13)

• Interviewing Oil CEOs

  • Listener suggestion to have an oil company CEO explain price hikes.
  • O'Reilly dismisses the idea as futile:

    "They're not going to come on this program... And even if they did, they'd do the razzle dazzle two step... and I couldn't check it... So I don't think it would be a worthy enterprise." (07:33)

4. Something You Might Not Know: Global Reaction to US-Israeli Strike (08:35)

• The Attack
  • 18 days prior, joint US-Israeli mission killed Iran’s Supreme Leader, Khamenei.
  • O’Reilly focuses on global diplomatic reactions:
    • Canada: Supports US action.

      "Canada's position remains clear. The Islamic Republic of Iran is the principal source of instability and terror throughout the Middle East. Canada supports the United States." (Bill O'Reilly reading PM Carney, 08:47)

    • UK: No role, condemns Iranian regime.
    • Spain & Germany: Oppose action, citing energy and migration impact.
    • France: Warns of “grave consequences.”
    • Australia: Supports US, offers assistance.
    • China: Backs Iran at UN, calls US action illegal.
      • O’Reilly jabs at hypocrisy: "Hello, does that go into Tibet? Oh man, bad Vlad. Putin also defended his longtime ally, the Ayatollah." (10:52)
  • Conclusion: “Most of the world is not backing the USA in getting Iran to be a responsible nation.” (11:08)

Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments

• On European allies:

  • "Our NATO friends really aren't looking out for us, are they?" (Bill O’Reilly, 04:34)
  • "Great Britain is a disappointment for sure... the current PM Starmer is a waffle guy." (05:01)

• Presidential stance on Cuba:

  • "I do believe I'll have the honor of taking Cuba. That'd be good... I think I can do anything I want with it." (Mike Slater relaying, 01:55)

• O’Reilly on guest interviews:

  • "They're not going to come on this program... they'd do the razzle dazzle two step say, oh, no, we got this, we got that... and I couldn't check it..." (07:33)

• China’s hypocrisy:

  • "The official response from Beijing: 'the US Israeli strikes have no UN Security Council authorization and violate international law.' Hello, Does that go into Tibet?" (10:34)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [00:39] – Mike Slater’s news rundown (Joe Kent, Cuba, meteor, World Baseball Classic)
• [04:05] – Bill O’Reilly’s Message of the Day: Europe, NATO, and Iran
• [06:04] – Listener Mailbag: Oil prices, foreign oil, Iran conflict, oil CEO interviews
• [08:35] – Something You Might Not Know: International response to US attack on Iran
• [11:42] – Closing remarks

Tone and Language

Bill O’Reilly maintains his trademark candid, assertive, and often sardonic tone—particularly when critiquing US allies, the state of geopolitics, and the media. Mike Slater’s delivery is brisk, factual, and occasionally wry, especially in sports and pop culture commentary.

Summary

This episode delivers a rapid-fire summary of developments surrounding the US-Iran conflict, punctuated by pointed criticism at both domestic figures (Joe Kent) and foreign allies (especially NATO members). O’Reilly’s analysis highlights a sense of American frustration and isolation on the world stage, along with skepticism about establishment narratives on oil prices and geopolitics. Listener questions add a populist flavor, and “Something You Might Not Know” rounds out the global view with pointed observations on world leaders' reactions.

For further commentary and news, tune in to BillOReilly.com or the No Spin News.