The O'Reilly Update – March 30, 2026

Host: Bill O’Reilly
Co-host/Newsreader: Mike Slater
Airdate: March 30, 2026

Episode Overview

This episode of The O'Reilly Update opens with key headlines from around the world, including U.S. military maneuvers in Iran, a foiled bomb plot in Paris, and Tiger Woods’ latest car accident. Bill O’Reilly delivers a Message of the Day about the significance of Holy Week amid America’s growing secularism, answers a listener’s question about socialism, fascism, and communism, and concludes with “Something You Might Not Know” about the 45th anniversary of President Ronald Reagan’s assassination attempt.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Major News Highlights with Mike Slater

(00:10 – 03:03)

• U.S. Military Planning in Iran

  • The Washington Post reports the U.S. is preparing for weeks-long ground operations in Iran, including special operations raids and limited infantry missions.
  • A Marine Expeditionary Unit and elements of the 82nd Airborne Division are in-theater.
  • Potential actions involve Kharg Island, Iran’s primary oil export hub, aimed at preventing Iranian sabotage and keeping oil flowing.
  • Possible raids on positions near the Strait of Hormuz to disrupt drone attacks on shipping.
  • Quote: “Part of landing on Kharg island would be to stop Iran from blowing it up themselves so we can keep the oil flowing.” (00:52, Mike Slater)

• Foiled Bomb Attack in Paris

  • French police thwart a bomb attack outside Bank of America’s Paris office at 3:30 am.
  • Suspect in the act of ignition was arrested; a second suspect, reportedly recruited via Snapchat for $692, filmed the attempt.
  • The arrested individual is a minor from Senegal; two additional arrests have been made.
  • Quote: “Police say that suspect is a minor from Senegal...was recruited through Snapchat to carry out a bombing in exchange for $692.” (01:31, Mike Slater)

• Tiger Woods in Another Car Crash

  • Tiger Woods crashes his SUV in Florida, allegedly under the influence of medication—what would be his first official DUI.
  • Recap of Woods’ previous legal and health issues after car crashes in 2017 and 2021.
  • Quote: “Technically speaking, this would be his first DUI, but in 2017 he was found unconscious...high on a cocktail of prescription painkillers.” (01:57, Mike Slater)

• Major League Baseball Introduces ABS

  • MLB launches the automated ball and strike system (ABS).
  • Each team gets two challenges per game; umpire CB Buckner set a record, being overturned six times.
  • Quote: “CB Buckner, historically one of the worst ball strikes umpire in the league, got overturned...six times.” (02:44, Mike Slater)

2. Message of the Day: Holy Week in an Increasingly Secular America

(03:44 – 07:43)

• Reflection on Holy Week & Secular Trends

  • Bill O’Reilly remarks on Holy Week, celebrated by 1.5 billion Christians globally, and the waning religiosity in the U.S.
  • Estimates only 23% of Americans attend weekly religious services; atheism is labeled “the fastest growing religion.”
  • O’Reilly’s perspective on Christian theology versus flaws in organized religion.
  • Quote: “It's estimated that maybe 23% of us go to services every week. And the fastest growing religion in America is atheism. People who are pagans, they don't believe in any deity. It's all about them.” (03:58, Bill O’Reilly)
  • Stresses the Christian ethic: “If everybody loved their neighbor as themselves, there would be little violence, little crime, no wars.” (04:36)
  • Reference to his book “Killing Jesus” as an authoritative source.

• Listener Mail: Explaining Political Ideologies

  • Juni D. from Manila asks for the difference between socialism, fascism, and communism.
  • O’Reilly’s breakdown:
    • Communism: Seizure of private property; total government control.
    • Socialism: High taxes, cradle-to-grave government services, but private property remains.
    • Fascism: Government dominates, but keeps corporations—directs them rather than abolishing them.
  • Quote: “Communism is when a government can seize private property, take everything you have... Socialism is when a government says, we are going to tax you very high rate and provide you with all you need cradle to grave. But we're not going to take your stuff... Fascism is basically the government running everything, telling you what you can or can't do... Fascism wants corporations, but they run the corporations. Communism doesn't want corporations.” (05:49-06:51, Bill O’Reilly)
  • Subtle jab: “Bernie Sanders. Okay, that's the difference.” (07:00)

• Self-Promotion & Event Announcements

  • Announcement and brief plug for the upcoming “3American Tour” in Westbury.
  • Mentions “Not Woke” gear with subtle humor, encouraging listeners to support his brand.

3. Something You Might Not Know: 45 Years Since Reagan Assassination Attempt

(08:10 – 10:45)

• Retelling of the 1981 Reagan Shooting

  • Marks the 45th anniversary: Reagan was shot by John Hinckley Jr. outside the Hilton Hotel in Washington, D.C.
  • Describes the event, the President’s survival, and his famous quip to his wife:
    • Quote: “Nancy, honey, I forgot to duck.” (08:49, President Reagan, relayed by O’Reilly)
  • Hinckley’s motive: Impressing Jodie Foster, with background on his letters.
    • Quote from Hinckley’s letter: “The reason I'm going ahead with this attempt now is because I cannot wait any longer to impress you.” (09:02, via O’Reilly)
  • Notes on Hinckley’s legal outcome (found not guilty by reason of insanity) and his life after release.

• Reagan’s Health & Legacy

  • O’Reilly observes Reagan never fully recovered; suffered fatigue, hearing loss, and cognitive decline (late diagnosis of Alzheimer’s).
  • Quote: “He did his job. He was successful. But he suffered extreme fatigue, hearing loss, and eventually cognitive decline.” (10:12, Bill O’Reilly)
  • Plug for O’Reilly’s book “Killing Reagan” for more background stories.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Mike Slater on military action in Iran:
  “Part of landing on Kharg island would be to stop Iran from blowing it up themselves so we can keep the oil flowing.” (00:52)

• Bill O’Reilly on secularism:
  “It's estimated that maybe 23% of us go to services every week. And the fastest growing religion in America is atheism. People who are pagans, they don't believe in any deity. It's all about them.” (03:58)

• Bill O’Reilly summarizing Christian theology:
  “If everybody loved their neighbor as themselves, there would be little violence, little crime, no wars.” (04:36)

• Bill O’Reilly defining political ideologies:
  “Communism is when a government can seize private property, take everything you have... Fascism wants corporations, but they run the corporations. Communism doesn't want corporations.” (06:16)

• President Reagan’s words after being shot:
  “Nancy, honey, I forgot to duck.” (08:49)

• Hinckley’s letter:
  “The reason I'm going ahead with this attempt now is because I cannot wait any longer to impress you.” (09:02)

• Bill O’Reilly on Reagan’s health:
  “He did his job. He was successful. But he suffered extreme fatigue, hearing loss, and eventually cognitive decline.” (10:12)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• News Highlights (Mike Slater): 00:10 – 03:03
• Message of the Day (O’Reilly): 03:44 – 07:43
• Explaining Isms (Listener Mail): 05:49 – 07:10
• Something You Might Not Know (Reagan): 08:10 – 10:45

Tone and Style

The tone of the episode is direct, fact-focused, occasionally sardonic, and self-promotional. O’Reilly applies a blend of brevity and opinionated analysis throughout, with Mike Slater providing crisp headline reporting at the start.

For more news and analysis from Bill O'Reilly: billoreilly.com
“No spin, just facts, and always looking out for you.”