The O'Reilly Update, March 19, 2026

Summary

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Bill O’Reilly’s No Spin News and Analysis

Episode: The O'Reilly Update, March 19, 2026

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Episode Overview

This episode of The O’Reilly Update, hosted by Bill O’Reilly, covers a range of headline news stories, a sharp critique of European foreign policy amid U.S.-Iranian conflict, and a historical segment on the Falklands War. O’Reilly delivers his signature “No Spin” message, focusing on American interests in foreign alliances and economic policy while engaging directly with listener questions.

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Key News Highlights (00:33–03:30)

Senate Confirmation Drama

• Senator Markwayne Mullin’s Homeland Security Confirmation Hearing:
  Oklahoma’s Markwayne Mullin undergoes a contentious confirmation, clashing openly with Senate Homeland Security Committee chair Rand Paul.
  • Rand Paul confronts Mullin:

    "You told the media that I was a, quote, freaking snake and that you completely understood why I had been assaulted... Explain to the American people why they should trust a man with anger issues."
    — Rand Paul (00:43)

  • Mullin responds:

    "It seems like you fight Republicans more than you work with us."
    — Markwayne Mullin (01:23)

Federal Reserve Holds Rates

• Fed leaves interest rates unchanged:
  Responding to the ongoing U.S. war in Iran, the Federal Reserve keeps interest rates steady for a second consecutive meeting; uncertainty in the Middle East cited.
  • Jerome Powell’s chairmanship ends soon (May 15).
  • Board vote: 11–1 (Stephen Moran the sole dissenter favoring a rate cut) (01:54).

Immigration and Deportation

• NYC Council Employee Ordered Deported:
  An employee with a prior assault was deported after an immigration judge ruled against the mayor’s assertion of legal residency (02:20).

America’s 250th Birthday Preparations

• Task Force 250 and “Rededicate 250”:
  Closed-door White House meetings focus on festivities for America’s upcoming 250th—plans include:
  • A “sculpture garden of great Americans”
  • A nationwide day of “prayer, praise, and thanksgiving,” termed a "large scale revival on the national mall in D.C." for May 17 (02:54).

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Bill O’Reilly’s Message of the Day: Europe, NATO, and Iran (03:59–07:53)

Main Theme

O’Reilly critiques Europe’s reluctance to support U.S. and Israeli efforts against Iran, examining the cracks in NATO and the contrast between American and European values.

Key Points & Quotes

• Perceived European Apathy
  O’Reilly expresses disappointment at European hesitation:

  “President Trump seems to be a bit taken aback by NATO’s apathy regarding Iran. On paper, the Europeans should be our partners… But Germany says, ‘It is not our war.’”
  — Bill O’Reilly (04:36)

• Root Causes, According to O’Reilly

  • Anti-Semitism:
    Present in European society, especially among Muslim immigrants.
  • Cultural Differences:

    “Many countries in the EU are soft welfare precincts where self involvement, not self sacrifice rules.”
    — Bill O’Reilly (05:22)

  • Anti-Americanism:
    Heightened further as Trump criticizes EU weakness.

• Strategic Consequence

  • “So Iran catches a break. It’s not going to be enough to save the Mullahs but it’s annoying.”
    — Bill O’Reilly (05:53)

Listener Mail: NATO and Oil Exports (07:03–07:53)

On NATO

• Matthew, premium member:

  “NATO has clearly outlived its usefulness for the United States. Individual treaties with countries in Europe...better for our interest.”
  — Matthew

• O’Reilly rebuts:

  “Putin would just love NATO to dissolve...even though NATO is a pain in the butt, you need it as a bulwark against Putin.”
  — Bill O’Reilly (07:10)

• William:

  “Maybe it’s time to rethink whether we want to remain in NATO for 80 years…”
  — William

• O’Reilly reply:

  “They can’t or won’t stand on their own. They’re weak. They are not a society that’s robust over there. I’ve been to almost every country in Europe.”
  — Bill O’Reilly (07:16)

• Paul:

  “This is a big dig back at Trump for making NATO pay their dues. NATO [doesn’t] like Trump. No doubt about it.”
  — Paul

On U.S. Oil Policy

• Deborah, Edwardsburg, MI:

  “Why can’t the bulk of our oil...be sold to the American market? Wouldn’t that completely solve our financial pain?”
  — Deborah

• O’Reilly answers:

  “We got plenty of oil. It’s the oil companies raising the prices because they can, not because they have to. They’ll make way more money...I’m not gonna say they love Iran, but it helps [the oil companies].”
  — Bill O’Reilly (07:40)

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Historical Feature: The Start of the Falklands War (08:54–11:44)

“Something You Might Not Know”

• 44th Anniversary of the Falklands War’s Outset
  O’Reilly offers an engaging retelling of the events that began the 1982 conflict, including:
  • Background: Tiny South Georgia Island seized by Argentine marines.
  • British response: Swift, forceful, led by PM Margaret Thatcher, deploying 127 ships and 30,000 troops.
  • Human cost:

    “In total, two hundred and fifty British soldiers died retaking the Falklands. Seven hundred and fifty South Americans perished in the combat.”
    — Bill O’Reilly (10:25)

  • Aftereffects: Collapse of Argentine military rule, Thatcher’s surge in popularity (11:00).
  • Memorable moment:

    “I was there when the British casualties were offloaded in Montevideo, Uruguay. It was a grisly scene.”
    — Bill O’Reilly (10:06)

  • Trivia:

    “You’re more likely to encounter wildlife than people… Territory is home to just 200 human beings, 5,000 penguins—all with British passports.”
    — Bill O’Reilly (11:15)

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Rand Paul confronts Mullin:

  "Tell me to my face why you think I deserved it. And while you’re at it, explain to the American people why they should trust a man with anger issues." (00:50)

• O’Reilly on European apathy:

  "Europe would seem to be a natural ally for the USA...but it’s not." (04:20)

• O’Reilly on oil companies:

  “It’s the oil companies raising the prices because they can, not because they have to.” (07:45)

• Falklands war visuals:

  “I was there when the British casualties were offloaded in Montevideo, Uruguay. It was a grisly scene.” (10:06)
  ”5,000 penguins—all with British passports.” (11:15)

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Timestamps: Important Segments

• News Headlines with Mike Slater: 00:33–03:30
• O’Reilly’s Message of the Day (Europe & NATO): 03:59–07:53
• Listener Q&A: 07:03–07:53
• Historical Segment – Falklands War: 08:54–11:44

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Recap

This episode delivers succinct news reporting alongside O’Reilly’s pointed analysis of European-American relations and economic issues. His focus is on America’s strategic interests, the enduring need for NATO, and skepticism toward both European resolve and U.S. oil companies. The historical feature offers both facts and anecdotes, making the past vividly relevant to listeners.

Signature Tone: Direct, skeptical, and assertive—"No Spin, Just Facts."

Transcript

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[Bill O'Reilly]

Bill O'Reilly, here. You are listening to the O'Reilly Update. Coming up next, the news with Mike Slater.

[Mike Slater]

Thank you, Bill. It is Thursday, March 19, 2026. Here's what's happening today in America. Confirmation hearing, Fed meeting, city council employee deported, and rededication 250. It's all coming up. Then Bill's gonna be here with your message of the day. But first, Mark Wayne Mullen, he's the senator from Oklahoma. He began his confirmation hearing to become the new head of Homeland Security, but apparently he and Rand Paul have beef. Paul, who's the Homeland Security Committee chairman, told Mullen via the teleprompter in front of him, you told the media that I was a, quote, freaking snake and that you completely understood why I had been assaulted. He then said Mullen has low impulse control. Tell the world why you believe I deserve to be assaulted from behind, have six broken ribs and a damaged lung. Tell me to my face why you think I deserved it. And while you're at it, explain to the American people why they should trust a man with anger issues. Mark Wayne Mullen said, as for the term snake in the grass, sir, I work around this room to try to fix problems. I've worked with many people in this room, and it seems like you fight Republicans more than you work with us. The Federal Reserve held interest rates steady yesterday at its first meeting since the US War in Iran. The central bank's move is the second consecutive time it decided to maintain interest rates at the current levels this year. Before that, the Fed cut interest rates a quarter of a point. Three straight meetings in a row. The Federal Reserve Open Market Committee said the implications of developments in the Middle east for the US economy are uncertain. The 12 member board voted 11 to 1 to keep interest rates the same. Stephen Moran, he's a former Trump administration official. He recently joined the board. He was the only vote to lower the rates. Jerome Powell, chairman of the Fed. His term is over. May 15. An immigration judge has ordered the deportation of a former New York City Council employee. Federal officials said he was an illegal alien with a prior assault arrest. The mayor of New York City, Zoran, said he had legal authority to remain in the US and work. But the immigration judge said no, he doesn't. He entered the United states on a B2 tourist visa in 2017 that required him to depart. That same year, Task Force 250 held a closed door meeting in the White house about the 250th birthday celebration for America. Among the projects, a sculpture garden of great Americans in history. There was also a panel, according to one report, that was dedicated to celebrating the religious dimensions of American history and the importance of awakening America's virtuous character through patriotic storytelling. The President announced plans last month for something called Rededicate 250, a national Jubilee of prayer, praise and thanksgiving to be held on May 17. The White House described it as a large scale revival on the national mall in D.C. i'm Mike Slater from the podcast Politics by faith now on YouTube. Bill O'Reilly has your message of the day next LifeLock, how can I help?

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[Bill O'Reilly]

Time now for the O'Reilly update. Message of the Day. On this Thursday, it dawned on me that I really didn't understand Europe when the Swedish pop group ABBA became superstars. What was this? Waterloo? Fernando, are you kidding me? Bring back the doors. Since then I've studied the continent, especially after 911 ignited the war on terror. Europe would seem to be a natural ally for the USA and in fighting the Islamists. But it's not. President Trump seems to be a bit taken aback by NATO's apathy regarding Iran. On paper, the Europeans should be our partners in dismantling this murderous government. But Germany says, quote, it is not our war and the rest of Europe is not helping America and Israel in the conflict. This is distressing. A few reasons. Anti Semitism very present in Europe, especially amongst the millions of Muslim immigrants there. Many countries in the EU are soft welfare precincts where self involvement, not self sacrifice rules. And finally, anti American sentiment runs hot in Europe because the controversial President Trump consistently points out the EU's weakness. So Iran catches a break. It's not going to be enough to save the Mullahs but it's annoying. I'm Bill O'Reilly. I approve the message by writing it. You can reach me billoriley.com, billoriley.com name in town if you wish to opine. Now, let's go to the mail. Matthew on a message board. Matthew is a premium member. To Bill O'Reilly.com he gets the post. NATO has clearly outlived its usefulness for the United States. Individual treaties with countries in Europe. It's better for our interest. Putin would love that. Putin would just love to NATO to dissolve. That would heighten his power. And that is why, even though NATO is a pain in the butt, you need it as a bulwark against Putin. William on the message board maybe it's time to rethink whether we want to remain in NATO for 80 years. Might be time for Europe to stand on its own. They can't or won't stand on its own. They're weak. They are not a society that's robust over there. I've been to almost every country in Europe. Paul concierge member Paul has my crew. If he gets into any trouble, we'll help him out. I think this is a big dig back at Trump for making NATO pay their dues. NATO like Trump. No doubt about it. No doubt. DEBORAH Rory, Edwardsburg, Michigan Realizing America is part of the global market, why can't the bulk of our oil, with this emergency with Iran, be sold to the American market? Wouldn't that completely solve our financial pain? We're not exporting a lot of oil out of here, Deborah. We got plenty of oil. It's the oil companies raising the prices because they can, not because they have to. They'll make way more money. Now, I'm not gonna say they love Iran, but it helps him in a moment, something you might not know.

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[Bill O'Reilly]

now. The O'Reilly update brings you something you might not know. 44 years ago today, a small group of Argentine marines raised their nation's flag over South Georgia Island, a tiny British territory in the South Atlantic Ocean. The events are under one of the most pointless conflicts in history. The Falklands War had begun. Here is the story. The islands are located 300 miles east of Argentina. The British have claimed the land since discovering the archipelago back in 1690. The French briefly ruled there. Then the Spanish English explorers permanently settled in the Falklands in 1774. In 1981, 2000 Islanders, mostly sheep farmers, voted to remain British on the mainland. The military dictatorship in Argentina saw a potential war with England as a means of propping up their faltering regime. One year later, Argentina launched a full scale invasion of the Falkland Islands. Britain was of course, outraged. Prime Minister Thatcher assembled an armada of 127 ships, 30,000 troops. It took the crew two weeks to sail the 8,000 miles from Great Britain to the coast of Argentina. Then, all out war erupted. Great Britain lost five ships, including the HMS Sheffield. The destroyer was struck by a missile fired from an Argentine bomber. Dozens were injured, 20 killed. I was there when the British casualties were offloaded in Montevideo, Oruguay. It was a grisly scene. In total, two hundred and fifty British soldiers died retaking the Falklands. Seven hundred and fifty South Americans perished in the combat. Humiliated by the defeat, the Argentine military was swept from power. In 1983, civilian rule restored. And in Britain, Margaret Thatcher's popularity surged. Her party won a landslide victory. And here's something else you might not know. If you visit South Georgia island today, you're more likely to encounter wildlife than people. Territory is home to just 200 human beings, 5,000 penguins, all with British passports. Back in a moment. I just got up there and I was just like, oh, my God, thank you, thank you.

[Mike Slater]

And then I heard someone, anyone, please help. He's like Superman being able to carry me off the mount.

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[Bill O'Reilly]

Thank you for listening. To the O'Reilly update. I am Bill O'Reilly. No spin, just facts. And always looking out for you.

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