The O'Reilly Update, May 29, 2026

Summary

Bill O’Reilly’s No Spin News and Analysis
The O'Reilly Update — May 29, 2026
Host: Bill O’Reilly | Guest Host: Mike Slater

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Episode Overview

This episode of The O'Reilly Update (May 29, 2026) is guest-hosted by Mike Slater. The show covers major headlines in American news, including a U.S.-Iran tentative agreement, updates from the Treasury Department, demographic trends, and a special reflection on the upcoming 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. The episode also delves into why Americans know so little about the Founding Fathers, linking it to the political makeup of American professions and their influence on culture and education.

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Key News Headlines & Discussion Points

1. U.S. and Iran Reach Tentative Ceasefire Agreement

[01:43 - 02:32]

• The United States and Iran have agreed to a “potential deal on a 60 day extension of the ceasefire,” and new negotiations on Iran's nuclear program are set to begin.
• The deal still requires President Trump's formal approval.
• The framework would lift America's blockade on Iranian ports and re-open the strategic Strait of Hormuz.
• Significance: “One fifth of the world’s liquid oil passes through the straits. Very little of our oil, but as we know, it affects oil prices around the world.” (Mike Slater)
• Treasury Secretary Scott Besant reiterated Trump’s stance: “He’s not going to take a bad deal. He’s going to make a great deal for the American people.”

2. Treasury Department Readies Mockups for a $250 Bill Featuring Trump

[02:33 - 03:07]

• Treasury is preparing designs for a new $250 banknote featuring President Trump—a first for a living person in over 150 years.
• Likelihood is low: “Unlikely that this currency will be released. The legislation has remained stalled in the House for more than a year and the bill would need 60 votes...to block the Democrats filibuster.”

3. America’s Most Affordable States

[03:08 - 03:32]

• New rankings consider “inflation, housing costs, taxation and income.”
• Top five most affordable: Arkansas, Alabama, Oklahoma, Kansas, and Mississippi (the least expensive).
• Mississippi: “Median home price there is $200,000 and groceries are 20% cheaper than the national average.”

4. Traditional Families Hit Historic Low

[03:33 - 04:36]

• Census Bureau data: Only 18% of U.S. households now contain a traditional mother-father-child structure—the lowest since 1959.
• “It’s a 45% drop since 1970. The fastest growing household in the country: single parents. Marriage rates have now fallen to the lowest levels since the government started keeping statistics during the Civil War.”

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The O'Reilly Update: Message of the Day

[05:50 - 09:51]

America's 250th Anniversary and the Forgotten Founders

• Lack of National Excitement:
  “I feel like we're not as excited about this as a nation as we should be. And one reason why is we don’t know the stories. How many Founding Fathers can you name? How many signers of the Declaration of Independence. Can you name? I could name maybe six. That’s not good.” (Mike Slater, 05:58)

• There were 56 signers, yet most people cannot recall more than a handful.

• Forgotten Stories of Sacrifice:
  Slater recounted the fates of several Founders whose names and stories are largely lost to history:

  • John Hart (NJ): Signed the Declaration, fled from Hessian soldiers, hid in woods and caves, returned to find his wife dead and children gone. Died two years later.
  • Francis Lewis (NY): Home destroyed, wife captured and abused by British, died after her release.
  • William Floyd (NY): Escaped to Connecticut with family, lived as refugees for seven years.
  • Philip Livingston: Lost all wealth, driven from home, died two years after signing.
  • Lewis Morris and Richard Stockton (NJ): Morris lost everything; Stockton was beaten, starved, ransacked, died soon after.
  • George Clymer: Signer of both the Declaration and the Constitution; home destroyed.
  • William Ellery (RI): Watched his home burn to the ground.
  • Thomas Nelson (VA): Sacrificed his home during the siege of Yorktown: “Fire the cannons.” He died penniless.
  • Abraham Clark (NJ): Two sons taken prisoner, suffered in brutal conditions.
    Quote: “A few weeks will probably determine our fate, perfect freedom or absolute slavery. Our fates are in the hands of an almighty God…” (Abraham Clark quoted by Slater, 09:13)

• Insight:
  “If we don’t know their stories, of course this is going to feel like some random distant memory from middle school social studies class instead of feeling like our story.” (Mike Slater, 06:23)

  • He contends it is “criminal” and “intentional” that these stories are not taught—blames leaders of the education system for omitting this history.

• Call to Action:
  “Let’s take it upon ourselves to know each of them... They were signing it for their kids, their grandkids, and us. Make their stories alive again.” (Mike Slater, 09:37)

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Something You Might Not Know: Political Donations by Profession

[10:53 - end]

Professions: Who Donates to Democrats vs. Republicans

• Professions Dominated by Democratic Donations:

  • 99% for union organizers; also includes arts administrators, English professors, film editors, psychotherapists, curators, yoga instructors, social workers, TV producers, talent agents, urban planners, librarians, NGO execs—“all over 91% of donations go to Democrats.”

• Professions Donating More to Republicans:

  • Auctioneers, bank managers, contractors, truck drivers, farmers, orthodontists, builders, oil workers, coal miners.
  • Only one, coal miner, is above 90% for Republicans; others hover at “like 75% Republican.”

• Notable Analysis:

  • “The professions that are totally controlled by Democrats are professions that have a great influence on our culture. They're all in the arts and academia. You wonder why so many Americans don't know the story of our Founding Fathers? It’s because the education system has been completely hijacked by progressives who have actively removed American history…”
  • “If you have a role in shaping culture, whether it’s in arts or academia, it is essential that you do what you can to take power back from these people who hate what is good, beautiful, and true.”
  • On progressive fields: “If you’ve been to a modern art museum ever. They’re horrific. Like, they’re like government jobs…”
    Versus Republican professions: “The jobs that are more Republican are more in the meritocracy. I was talking to a prison guard. He said working in a prison will make you more conservative every day because you see good and evil and you see the consequences of decisions.”

• Takeaway:
  “We shouldn’t give up ground to these progressives anymore. We need to take all these professions back and bring our conservative principles with us.” (Mike Slater)

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “I could name maybe six [signers]. That's not good. I was a history major, emphasis on Early American History. I could name six of these guys. There were 56 signers of the Declaration.” — Mike Slater [05:58]
• “Our fates are in the hands of an almighty God to whom I can with pleasure confide my own.” — Abraham Clark (quoted by Mike Slater) [09:13]
• “If we don’t know their stories, of course this is going to feel like some random distant memory from middle school social studies class instead of feeling like our story.” — Mike Slater [06:23]
• “It’s criminal. And it’s intentional too. The leaders of the education system would have to actively work to make sure that kids do not know the story of that incredible founding father.” — Mike Slater [07:18]
• “Only one [Republican-leaning] profession is 90% Republican donations. Coal miner. All the other professions that are mostly Republican are like 75% Republican. But the jobs that are controlled by progressives are totally owned by progressives.” — Mike Slater [11:50]
• “If you have a role in shaping culture, whether it’s in arts or academia, it is essential that you do what you can to take power back from these people who hate what is good, beautiful, and true.” — Mike Slater [12:23]
• “We need to take all these professions back and bring our conservative principles with us.” — Mike Slater [12:42]

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Segment Timestamps

• Key News Headlines: [01:42 - 04:37]
• Message of the Day (Founding Fathers & the 250th Anniversary): [05:50 - 09:51]
• Professions & Political Donations (“Something You Might Not Know”): [10:53 - end]

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This episode urges reflection on forgotten American history and challenges listeners to reclaim cultural and educational spaces, with passionate commentary linking the nation’s historical amnesia to the dominance of progressives in key professions. The overall tone is urgent, patriotic, and critical of modern educational and cultural institutions.

Transcript

[A]

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[A]

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

[B]

Thank you, Bill. It is Friday, May 29, 2026. Here's what's happening today in America. The United States and Iran reach a tentative agreement. The Treasury Department floats a new banknote, a survey ranks the most affordable states in the union and the number of traditional families falls to a historic low. That's all coming up. Then I will be back with your message of the day about our 250th anniversary and how many signers of the Declaration of Independence could you name? It's embarrassing to admit that I could name maybe six. And it's even worse when you realize how many there were. That's all coming up. But first, America and Iran have reached a potential deal on a 60 day extension of the ceasefire and agreed to launch fresh negotiations on Tehran's nuclear program. The plan still needs formal approval from President Trump. The framework would lift America's blockade on Iranian ports and reopen the Strait of Hormuz. One fifth of the world's liquid oil passes through the straits. Very little of our oil, but as we know, it affects oil prices around the world. The treasury secretary, Scott Besant, said President Trump has made it very clear, he talked about it at the cabinet meeting, that he had several red lines and he said he's not going to take a bad deal. He's going to make a great deal for the American people. Speaking of the treasury secretary, the Treasury Department is preparing mockup designs for a new bill like banknote bill, the $250bill that would feature the portrait of none other than President Donald Trump. Now he would be the first living person featured on American money in over 150 years. Unlikely that this currency will be released. The legislation has remained stalled in the House for more than a year and the bill would need 60 votes. Like a written bill, legislative bill would need 60 votes for passage in the Senate to block the Democrats filibuster. U.S. news World Report Ranking the most affordable states the this year places are judged by inflation, housing costs, taxation and income. The top five starts with Arkansas, followed by Alabama, Oklahoma, Kansas and the least expensive state in the Union. The most affordable state in the Union, Mississippi. The median home price there is $200,000 and groceries are 20% cheaper than the national average. And gas prices among the lowest in America as well. The number of of U.S. households containing a mother, father and child has reached a record low. This is data from the Census Bureau says that just 18% of American homes contain a traditional family. That's the fewest since 1959. It's a 45% drop since 1970. The fastest growing household in the country, single parents. Marriage rates have now fallen to the lowest levels since the government started keeping statistics during the Civil War. I'm Mike Slater. My message about America's 250th anniversary coming up next,

[A]

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[B]

I'm Mike Slater filling it for Bill O'Reilly. Now it's time for the O'Reilly update. Message of the day. We are coming up to the exact day of the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. How incredible. I feel like we're not as excited about this as a nation as we should be. And one reason why is we don't know the stories. How many Founding Fathers can you name? How many signers of the Declaration of Independence. Can you name? I could name maybe six. That's not good. I was a history major, emphasis on Early American History. I could name six of these guys. There were 56 signers of the Declaration. And if we don't know their stories, of course this is going to feel like some random distant memory from middle school social studies class instead of feeling like our story. Like the story of John Hart from New Jersey, who signed the Declaration and then tried to make it back to see his wife and 13 children. But Hessian soldiers rode after him. He escaped in the woods, slept in caves as he was hunted across the countryside. And when he finally made it home, his wife was already dead and his 13 children taken away. He never saw them again. He died just a couple years later. How have I never heard the name John Hart? That's criminal. And it's intentional too. The. The Ed. The leaders of the education system would have to actively work to make sure that kids do not know the story of that incredible founding father. Francis Lewis, New York, saw his home completely destroyed by British soldiers. His wife was captured, treated terribly. She was exchanged for two British soldiers, but she died from the effects of the abuse not long after. William Floyd, also from New York, he was able to escape with his wife and children to Connecticut. They lived as refugees with, with nothing for seven years. Philip Livingston. You ever heard that name? I've never heard that name. All of his money, all, all his wealth confiscated. He was driven out of his home. He died just two years later. Lewis Morris. Everything confiscated by the British. Richard Stockton, New Jersey. He was pulled from his bed in the middle of the night, beaten by British soldiers. He was starved in prison, ultimately traded for a British general, but his entire home was ransacked. He died shortly after. George Clymer. He signed the Declaration and the Constitution. I never heard of the guy. Never heard the name. George Clymer. He escaped with his family from their home, but their property was completely destroyed by the British. William Ellery from Rhode Island. He watched his home burned to the ground. Thomas Nelson from Virginia. The British took over Yorktown and they made his home their headquarters. And when we were attacking Yorktown, he asked the leader of our, our side, why aren't you attacking my house? And they said, well, out of respect to you, he said, fire the cannons. And they did, destroying his home. He died penniless just a couple years later. You ever heard the name Thomas Nelson? Abraham Clark, one of the signers of New Jersey, 250 years ago, just about this time, right now, he said A few weeks will probably determine our fate, perfect freedom or absolute slavery. Our fates are in the hands of an almighty God to whom I can with pleasure confide my own. He can save us or destroy us. His counsels are fixed and cannot be disappointed as and all his designs will be accomplished. They were indeed. Abraham Clark's two sons were taken prisoner, put on a prison ship, and fed food through a keyhole. Isn't it sad that we don't know the stories of these men? So let's take it upon ourselves to know each of them and consider that they didn't sign the Declaration of Independence for them. They were signing it for their kids, their grandkids, and us make their stories alive again. I'm Mike Slater. Something you might not know next

[A]

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[B]

I'm Mike Slater filling up for Bill O'Reilly. Now it's time for something you might not know. I have a chart here of the professions that most donate to Democrats and then most donate to Republicans. These are the professions that donate most to Democrats. Union organizers. 99% of political donations go to Democrats. Arts administrator, professor of English, film editor, professor of history, psychotherapist, museum curator, yoga instructor, social worker, TV producer, talent agent, composer, urban planner, screenwriter, nonprofit executive, is the NGOs professor of Law, film director, filmmaker, librarian, editor, bookseller, art director. Those are all over 91% of donations go to Democrats. Now the most Republican professions, auctioneer, bank manager, plant manager, landscape contractor, insurance agent, truck driver, farmer, anesthesiologist, dairy farmer, orthodontist, homebuilder, medical sales, oral surgeon, carl sales, rancher, mechanical contractor, roofer, petroleum engineer, oil worker and minor. Now here's what's interesting about these professions that are most Republican. Only one of them is 90% Republican donations. Coal miner. All the other professions that are mostly Republican are like 75% Republican. But the jobs that are controlled by progressives are totally owned by progressives. So what can we learn from this first the professions that are totally controlled by Democrats are professions that have a great influence on our culture. They're all in the arts and academia. You wonder why so many Americans don't know the story of our founding Fathers. It's because the education system has been completely hijacked by progressives who have actively removed American history from the curriculum and therefore our collective memories. That's all on purpose. Therefore, it's important that if you have a role in shaping culture, whether it's in arts or academia, it is essential that you do what you can to take power back from these people who hate what is good, beautiful, and true. Second, the professions that Democrats control, there's really not a lot of failure. You like, you can keep your job as an arts curator, even if you're not good at it. If you've been to a modern art museum ever. They're horrific. Like, they're like government jobs, right? The jobs that are more Republican are more in the meritocracy. I was talking to a prison guard. He said working in a prison will make you more conservative every day because you see good and evil and you see the consequences of decisions. But we shouldn't give up ground to these progressives anymore. We need to take all these professions back and bring our conservative principles with us. More coming up. Hey, this is Mike Slater. I have a podcast called Politics by Faith. I would love for you to listen. We take the news of the day and we run it through the Bible. What does the Bible have to say about this? Because there's nothing new under the sun. You read the headlines. Everything's all crazy. World's coming to an end. It's all in the Bible. And after every episode, hopefully you leave with a proper perspective and a biblical piece. Please join us wherever you listen to podcasts, and we also have a YouTube page as well. YouTube.com politicsbyfaith I'm Mike Slater from Politics by Faith. If you could subscribe on YouTube.com politicsbyfaith spread the wor. Sam.