Bill O’Reilly’s No Spin News and Analysis

The O'Reilly Update – November 28, 2025

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."

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.”

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.

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)

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)

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

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

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.

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.