Summary of "The O'Reilly Update, May 16, 2025"

Podcast Information:

• Title: Bill O’Reilly’s No Spin News and Analysis
• Host/Author: Bill O'Reilly
• Description: No Spin. Just Facts. Always looking out for you. Head to BillOReilly.com for more analysis.
• Episode: The O'Reilly Update, May 16, 2025
• Release Date: May 16, 2025

1. News Highlights with Mike Slater

James Comey's Controversial Instagram Post

• Timestamp: [00:40]
• Details: Former FBI Director James Comey posted a photograph on Instagram featuring seashells arranged in the numbers "8647." Initially captioned as "cool shell formation on my beach walk," Comey later removed the post, stating, "I posted earlier a picture of some shells I saw today on a beach walk, which I assumed were a political message. I didn't realize that some folks associate those numbers with violence. It never occurred to me. But I oppose violence of any kind. So I took the post down."
• Implications: The numbers "86" slang for "get rid of," and "47" references Donald Trump as the 47th President. This led to significant backlash and accusations.

Responses from Officials

• Homeland Security: Kristi Noem condemned Comey's actions, stating, "Disgrace. Former FBI Director James Comey just called for the assassination of President Trump. DHS and Secret Service are investigating this threat and will respond appropriately."
• National Intelligence: Tulsi Gabbard expressed strong condemnation, saying, "I do [think Comey should be in jail]. I'm very concerned for Trump's life. And James Comey, in my view, should be held accountable and put behind bars for this."

Donald Trump's Diplomatic Success in the Middle East

• Timestamp: [02:15]
• Details: President Donald Trump concluded a highly successful trip to Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The UAE leader bestowed Trump with his country's highest civilian honor.
• Economic Commitments: The UAE pledged a monumental investment of $1.4 trillion into the U.S. economy over the next decade, targeting sectors such as AI infrastructure, semiconductors, energy, and American manufacturing. Notably, there is a plan to nearly double American aluminum production by funding a new smelter.

Supreme Court Deliberates on Birthright Citizenship

• Timestamp: [04:00]
• Details: For the first time in 35 years, the Supreme Court heard oral arguments concerning birthright citizenship. The debate centers around the interpretation of the 14th Amendment:
  • Government's Position: Argues that the amendment was intended for children of newly freed slaves, not for children born to illegal immigrants from countries like Honduras.
  • Statistics: Approximately 300,000 “anchor babies” are born in the U.S. each year, constituting around 8% of all births.
• Legal Focus: The case also examines the scope of district judges' authority to issue nationwide injunctions, raising questions about judicial overreach.

Technical Glitches in U.S. Airports

• Timestamp: [06:00]
• Details: A significant technical malfunction at Denver Airport disrupted communication between air traffic controllers and 20 incoming pilots for six minutes. Additionally, the FAA reported that the hotline between Reagan National Airport and the Pentagon has been non-operational since March 2022.
• Commentary: Bill O'Reilly sarcastically questions the accountability of judicial oversight during such critical failures, remarking, "Where was Buddha judge during all that?"

2. Message of the Day by Bill O'Reilly

Honoring Vietnam Veterans on Memorial Day

• Timestamp: [04:06]
• Content: Bill O'Reilly emphasizes the importance of recognizing and honoring Vietnam veterans during the upcoming Memorial Day. He reflects on the valor of young American men who fought against a communist regime in Southeast Asia, drawing parallels to the Korean War where U.S. forces successfully prevented North Korean aggression.
• Historical Perspective: O'Reilly critiques President Lyndon Johnson's leadership during the Vietnam War, labeling him as "deceitful and incompetent," which he believes contributed to the war's unfavorable outcome. He underscores the enduring lack of freedom in Vietnam as a result of the conflict and the noble intentions behind U.S. involvement.
• Quote: "Our presence in Vietnam was noble, even if the ultimate result failed. And so this coming Memorial Day, the Vietnam vets should be honored by us all. It is the right thing to do after 50 years." [04:06]

3. Listener Mail and Bill’s Responses

Mail from John Plum, East Northport, New York

• Timestamp: [05:53]
• Content: John expresses concerns about a plane gift from Qatar intended for President Trump, mistakenly attributing it to Saudi Arabia.
• Bill’s Response: Clarifies the misunderstanding, stating, "I don't think that Donald Trump should take a gift from Qatar. Take a loan. Just have a loan you're playing. And then when you're out of office, you get back what I would do."

Mail from John Botcher, Dayton, Ohio

• Timestamp: [06:05]
• Content: John discusses the misconception of the U.S. being the richest country, highlighting the national debt of $37 trillion and its per capita implications.
• Bill’s Response: Differentiates between national debt and individual financial status, explaining, "The country owes $37 trillion, not you and me. Yeah, we're part of the country, but that debt's not on our resume. What you have in the bank, in your assets, that's what is the richest country in the world."

Mail from Melanie

• Timestamp: [06:54]
• Content: Melanie critiques the overuse of the phrase "tax cuts for the rich," suggesting it has lost its impact.
• Bill’s Response: Reflects on societal shifts since the 1950s and 60s, noting, "And Melanie, a lot of people don't know anything. You George, When I was young in the 50s and 60s, almost everyone was focused on self help, self sufficiency. It was an embarrassment not to be able to take care of yourself. But now things have changed. Since LBJ's Great Society, charitable help has been devolved from being appreciated to being expected and demanded. That is a very good analysis from George. It used to be."

4. O’Reilly Update: American and Global Diets

Average American Consumption

• Timestamp: [07:38]
• Details: The typical American consumes approximately 3,000 calories daily. Popular meals, as reported by Grubhub, include pizza, pasta, tacos, and hamburgers. A standard family of four spends about $100 weekly on groceries, primarily on breakfast and dinner.

Global Dietary Comparisons

• Russia: Breakfasts feature pickled eggs and porridge, with lightweight lunches and dinners comprising beet soup, roasted meat, vegetables, and vodka.
• Japan: Emphasizes fish, starting the day with steamed mackerel, enjoying seafood broth at lunch, and tuna with horseradish for dinner.
• China: Begins mornings with congee, a traditional rice gruel, and dinners include roast pork with steamed vegetables.
• India: Rich in spices, meals typically include stewed proteins, flatbreads, and an array of herbs like curry, turmeric, coriander, and cinnamon. Dishes often feature extremely hot peppers, such as Ghost Chili, which is 200 times spicier than a jalapeño.
• South Africa: Offers a diverse cuisine influenced by England, Africa, Holland, Belgium, and France. Breakfasts usually consist of bread, coffee, and pastries, while dinners highlight the traditional braai—barbecued pork, lamb, and beef slow-cooked over open flames.
• United Kingdom: Notably includes black pudding in breakfasts—a circular sausage made from kidneys, barley, intestines, fat, and pig's blood.

Notable Insight: "One of the strangest breakfast items in the world can be found in the UK. Folks in England, Ireland, Scotland enjoy black pudding... Somebody please pass the pancakes back after this." [07:38]

Conclusion

"The O'Reilly Update, May 16, 2025," delivered by Bill O’Reilly and Mike Slater, covered a range of pressing national and international issues. From the controversial actions of former FBI Director James Comey and the robust economic partnerships formed in the Middle East by President Trump, to pivotal Supreme Court deliberations on birthright citizenship and technical challenges within U.S. aviation infrastructure, the episode provided comprehensive analysis and commentary. Additionally, Bill O’Reilly took time to honor Vietnam veterans, engage with listener feedback, and explore cultural insights into global dietary habits, ensuring a well-rounded and informative session for listeners seeking no-nonsense news and analysis.