The O'Reilly Update, November 28, 2025

Summary

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Bill O’Reilly’s No Spin News and Analysis

The O'Reilly Update – November 28, 2025

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Main Theme & Purpose

This episode offers a rapid overview of key American news stories, a reflection from Bill O’Reilly on public apathy and civic responsibility, responses to listener mail on current affairs, and a contextual primer on U.S.-China relations. The tone is direct, analytical, and slightly provocative, aiming to inform listeners without what O’Reilly calls "spin."

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Major News Stories in America (with Mike Slater)

• National Guardswoman Killed in D.C. (00:09–01:22)
  • Two newly sworn-in National Guard members, Sarah Beckstrom (20) and Andrew Wolf (24), both from West Virginia, were ambushed and shot by Ramanula Lockenwall, an Afghan national.
  • Lockenwall allegedly drove cross-country to target the guards, killing Beckstrom.
  • He shouted “Allahu Akbar” during the attack, framing it as an act of terror.
  • President's response: “This heinous assault was an act of evil, an act of hatred and an act of terror. Americans tonight are with these two guardsmen and their families.”
  • The Attorney General vows to seek the death penalty.
• Campbell Soup PR Crisis (01:22–01:55)
  • Campbell Soup’s VP of Information Security, Martin Bailey, is fired after a year-old recording surfaces in which he insulted Campbell’s products, saying “We have s--- food for f---ing poor people. Who buys ours? I don't buy Campbell’s products barely anymore. Bioengineered meat. I don't want to eat a piece of chicken that came from a 3D printer.”
  • Campbell's response: They are proud of their products, insisting they use “quality ingredients and real chicken always.”
• Uplifting Thanksgiving Story (01:55–02:23)
  • A 75-year-old man, Guy Miller, and 27-year-old Jalen Lockhart (a substitute mailman) celebrate their second Thanksgiving after becoming friends when Lockhart helped Miller during a dog-walking accident.
  • Lockhart says: “I look up to Guy. I see he's a great husband. He's been a great dad and a great mentor.”
  • Notably, Jalen proposed to his girlfriend after dinner.
• President’s Thanksgiving Proclamation (02:23–02:33)
  • The president honors “the pilgrims who settled our continent and the patriots who won our independence on the battlefield,” ending with:
  • “Above all, we offer our endless gratitude to Almighty God for his love, grace and infinite blessings.”

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2. Bill O’Reilly’s Message of the Day:

"Dumb and Irresponsible Americans" (03:09–06:01)

• O’Reilly questions how society should view apathetic or uninformed citizens, citing low voter turnout in New York City despite a controversial election.
• “You have a right to be a moron. You don’t have a right to commit crimes, but you have a right to be apathetic, uneducated, ill-informed. And millions of Americans are absolutely exercising that right.” (04:07)
• Personal anecdote:
  • O’Reilly talks about an intelligent employee who “could not care less about what is happening in his country.” He admits, “Do I respect that? I do not… I could never be friends with him.” (04:39)
• Overall tone: Disappointed, blunt, somewhat judgmental.

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3. Listener Mail & O’Reilly’s Answers (06:01–09:23)

• Interviewing Politicians
  Kevin Murphy, NYC, on interviewing Trump/Obama:
  • “You have to (interrupt), because the president will filibuster. You have to. And I had the same problem with Barack Obama…” (06:23)
  • O’Reilly describes using “my crooked finger, which I got playing ice hockey,” as a signal to cut in, a method respected by both presidents.
• Government Shutdown & Air Traffic Controllers
  R.D. Fleischman, Buckeye, AZ:
  • O’Reilly explains the president can’t force unionized workers back due to limits of federal power: “President just can't go in and bust a union. There’s a limit to the power.” (07:19)
• SNAP Program Fraud
  Lynn Henzos Greer, SC:
  • Agrees SNAP is important and that fraud should be investigated, but clarifies: “I can't put a percentage on how many are fraudsters. I don’t know, but we should have an investigation.” (08:10)
• Speed Cameras in Warwick, Rhode Island
  Kevin Odette, Warwick, RI:
  • Warns of excessive speed cameras: “A posted speed of 20 miles per hour. I’m telling you, it’s—they’re stealing from you. 20 miles an hour in Warwick. I’m not going there.” (08:41)
• Premium Membership
  • Thanking a user for praise of the show: “Well worth premium membership. Thank you. We hope everybody spreads the word.” (08:33)

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4. Something You Might Not Know: U.S.-China Relations (10:29–11:47)

• O’Reilly calls the U.S.-China relationship “the most important story in the world right now.”
• He summarizes China’s history, from dynastic empires to Communist rule under Mao Zedong.
• Key Chinese stats:
  • GDP: $20 trillion (second globally); U.S. at $30 trillion.
  • World’s top exporter; dominant in light bulbs, chips, clothing, plastics, medical equipment.
  • Police state: 2 million soldiers, 5 million police, sophisticated surveillance.
  • “All smartphones are monitored by the Communist Party. In fact, when I was in Beijing recently, I could not use my cell phone. I had to use a burner.” (11:28)
• Unyielding nature of the Chinese regime:
  • “No, China’s situation is not going to change. The security apparatus is simply too fearsome. You step out of line, they’ll come and take you away.” (11:36)
  • Reference: “As Crosby, Stills and Nash once sang, the state is ultra powerful. There is no dissent.”
• O’Reilly’s hope: “So the world has to make a deal with China. And I hope the USA leads that situation.” (11:45)

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “You have a right to be a moron. You don’t have a right to commit crimes, but you have a right to be apathetic, uneducated, ill-informed.”
  — Bill O'Reilly, 04:07

• “Do I respect that? I do not… I could never be friends with him.”
  — Bill O'Reilly, on apathy, 04:39

• “This heinous assault was an act of evil, an act of hatred and an act of terror. Americans tonight are with these two guardsmen and their families.”
  — President’s statement, quoted by Mike Slater, 00:54

• “We have s--- food for f---ing poor people. Who buys ours? I don't buy Campbell’s products barely anymore.”
  — Martin Bailey, former Campbell Soup VP, quoted by Mike Slater, 01:32

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Important Timestamps

• [00:09] Mike Slater’s America News Briefs
• [03:09] O’Reilly’s Message of the Day
• [06:01] Listener Mail & O’Reilly’s Replies
• [10:29] "Something You Might Not Know": U.S.-China Relations

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Summary Flow

The episode moves quickly from tragic breaking news and headline-making mishaps to more uplifting human-interest stories, before giving way to O’Reilly’s signature commentary on American civic engagement (or lack thereof). O’Reilly’s interaction with listener mail is lively, mixing practical explanations with his characteristically gruff humor, before closing with a serious global perspective on the stakes of U.S.-China relations.

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For Listeners: Key Takeaways

• Significant current events (security, corporate mishaps, uplifting Thanksgiving stories) were swiftly recapped.
• O’Reilly’s signature message: apathy and ignorance among citizens weaken the nation, and he finds it hard to respect willful ignorance.
• Q&A with listeners included insights on media interviews, labor disputes, government benefits, and municipal exploitations.
• The challenge of living with and responding to an unyielding surveillance state in China is underscored as a global issue.

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Transcript

[A]

Foreign. Here you are listening to the O'Reilly update. Coming up next, the news with Mike Slater.

[B]

Thank you, Bill. It is Friday, November 28, 2025. Here's what's happening today in America. National Guardswoman killed. Campbell Soup's new motto, a second Thanksgiving celebration and the president's Thanksgiving proclamation. It's all coming up. Then Bill's gonna be here with your message of the day. But first, the two National Guard members who were shot the other day in D.C. were sworn in less than 24 hours before they were shot. 20 year old Sarah Beckstrom and 24 year old Andrew Wolf, both from West Virginia. Sarah has passed away. The murderer is Ramanula Lockenwall. He allegedly drove cross country from Washington state to target these Guard members. He's an afghan. Ambushed these two guard members, shot them with a.357 Smith & Wesson revolver. Our attorney general said we will do everything we can to seek the death penalty against that monster. One witness heard him say Allahu Akbar during the attack. The president said this heinous assault was an act of evil, an act of hatred and an act of terror. Americans tonight are with these two guardsmen and their families in much less serious news. Martin Bailey, who was the vice president of Campbell Supes Information Security Department and cybersecurity analyst. He was allegedly caught on a secret recording from a year ago insulting the company's food. In the audio he said, we have s food for blanking poor people. Who buys rs? I don't buy Campbell's products barely anymore. Bioengineered meat. I don't want to eat a piece of chicken that came from a 3D printer. Campbell's Soup fired him and then responded, we are proud of the food we make and the high quality ingredients we use. And then later said we use quality ingredients and real chicken always not the PR disaster they wanted to deal with over Thanksgiving. In November of last year, 75 year old guy Miller was walking his dog when the dog just took off after a squirrel and pulled him to the ground. Jalen Lockhart, 27 year old substitute mailman, saw Miller fall. Miller was confused but was able to give his address to the mailman who ran to his house. Fortunately, his wife answered the door. Well, they're friends now, the 27 and the 75 year old. This was their second Thanksgiving they spent together. He said, I look up to Guy. I see he's a great husband. He's been a great dad and a great mentor. Jalen also proposed to his girlfriend. After dinner, the president issued his Thanksgiving proclamation honoring the pilgrims who settled our continent and the patriots who won our independence on the battlefield. He ended saying, above all, we offer our endless gratitude to Almighty God for his love, grace and infinite blessings. I'm Mike Slater for the podcast Politics by faith. Bill O'Reilly has your message of the day.

[A]

Next. Let's face it, the US Economy is under stress, national debt rising, trade war shaking the markets. And meanwhile, China is dumping the dollar and stockpiling gold. That's why I protected my savings with physical gold and silver through the only dealer I trust, American Hartford Gold. And you can do this, get precious metals delivered to your door or place in a tax Advantage Gold IRA. They'll even help you roll over your existing IRA or 401k tax and penalty free. With billions in precious metals delivered, thousands of five star reviews and an A from the Better Business Bureau. You can trust American Hartford Gold as I do. Please call 866-326-5576 or text bill to 998-899. Again, that's 866-326-5576, or text bill to 998-899. Time now for the O'Reilly update. Message of the day on this Friday. Here's a provocative question. What are we to think of Americans who are dumb and irresponsible? So if you look at the New York City voting on Tuesday, half of those registered didn't show up. Yes, I know, there was a big turnout, but half sat the whole thing out despite a very controversial candidate, Zoran Mandani. They couldn't be bothered to show up. Now, that's their constitutional right. I always say you have a right to be a moron. You don't have a right to commit crimes, but you have a right to be apathetic, uneducated, ill informed. And millions of Americans are absolutely exercising that right. So what are we to think of these people? I have to confess, it's hard for me to be friendly in the face of ignorance. I got a guy who works for me. He's intelligent. He could not care less about what is happening in his country. Do I respect that? I do not. Now, I've never said anything to him, but I could never be friends with him. I'm Bill O'Reilly. I approve the message by writing it. You can reach me billo reilly.com billorilly.com name in town if you wish to opine. Now, let's go to the mail. Kevin Murphy, New York City I saw the 60 Minutes interview with Norah O'. Donnell. My opinion Ms. O' Donnell kept interrupting President Trump, you have to, because the president will filibuster. You have to. And I had the same problem with Barack Obama before the interview. I would say to both presidents, look, I don't want to be boorish. Word of the day. B O O R I S H But I can't let you just go on for two minutes, okay? You run out the clock. So if I go like this with my crooked finger, which I got playing ice hockey, okay, that means I want to get in. And both presidents pretty much respected that. But you can't let him just filibuster. That's no interview. R.D. fleischman, Buckeye, Arizona. As we enter the fifth week of the shutdown and seemingly more air traffic control personnel refusing to report for work, why can't President Trump mandate these folks go in? Because they say they're sick. It's a union. President just can't go in and bust a union. There's a limit to the power. Lynn HENZOS GREER, S.C. hey, Bill, I know the shutdown is bad, but I believe things happen for a reason. If not, SNAP would not have been brought to our attention, especially 40 million people receiving that benefit. Now it is being investigated and the fraud has been going on for so long. We brought to light being investigated. I wish it would be, but it's not. It's 42 million people. Now, I can't put a percentage on how many are fraudsters. I don't know, but we should have an investigation. Kevin Odette, Warwick, Rhode Island. My wife and I learn a lot from the no Spin news. Well worth premium membership. Thank you. We hope everybody spreads the word. Kevin in my town, Warwick, they recently set up speed cameras. A posted speed of 20 miles per hour. I'm telling you, it's they're stealing from you. 20 miles an hour in Warwick. I'm not going there. Stealing your money. In a moment, something you might not know. Have you heard about Gold Billy? It's an amazing site that celebrates the best of America by shipping our country's most iconic foods from legendary restaurants straight to your door anywhere in the usa. I just had the main lobster roll and the deep dish pizza felt like a celebration. It was good. Now this Thanksgiving, I am going to do a little pecan pie, I think, and a holiday roast. Everybody's going to be able to enjoy both of those things. Gold Belly's reliable shipping makes sharing these memorable moments easy and joyful. So if you are looking for the perfect holiday gift or want to impress your friends and family with an epic Thanksgiving. Please go to goldbelly.com get 20% off your first order with promo code bill. That's goldbilly.com, code bill. 20% off your first order. Great deal. Now the O'Reilly update brings you something you might not know. The most important story in the world right now is the relationship between the USA and China. Here are some basic facts about America's main adversary, China, one of the oldest countries on earth. Recorded history dates back to 4000 BC for much of that time, the nation was ruled by imperial families called dynasties. That changed during the 20th century. A violent rebellion formed the Republic of China in 1912. Japan invaded two decades later. During that occupation, 20 million Chinese civilians were estimated to be killed by the Japanese. Mao Zedong and his communist army seized China in 1949. His party ruled over 1.5 billion people, and that exists to this day. China is the second biggest economy in the world with a GDP of 20 trillion. The USA holds the top position, 30 trillion. Beijing also the planet's biggest exporter. They produce a majority of light bulbs, computer chips, smartphones, furniture, clothing, plastic and medical equipment. Order is maintained through the most sophisticated police state in human history. The entire population of China is monitored by 2 million soldiers, 5 million police officers, and a vast network of surveillance cameras which are everywhere. All smartphones are monitored by the Communist Party. In fact, when I was in Beijing recently, I could not use my cell phone. I had to use a burner. And here's something else you might not know. No, China's situation is not going to change. The security apparatus is simply too fearsome. You step out of line, they'll come and take you away. As Crosby, Stills and Nash once sank, the state is ultra powerful. There is no dissent. So the world has to make a deal with China. And I hope the USA leads that situation. President Trump is certainly aware. Back in a.

[C]

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[A]

[e-mail]. thank you for listening to the O'Reilly Update. I am Bill O'Reilly. No spin, just facts. And always looking out for.

[C]

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