The O'Reilly Update, October 23, 2025

Summary

Podcast Summary: The O’Reilly Update, October 23, 2025

Podcast: Bill O’Reilly’s No Spin News and Analysis
Host: Bill O'Reilly
Featured News Reader: Mike Slater
Air Date: October 23, 2025
Episode: The O'Reilly Update, October 23, 2025

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Episode Overview

This episode of The O’Reilly Update delivers a brisk rundown of current events in U.S. politics and society, followed by Bill O'Reilly's signature "Message of the Day" and a historical segment. Key topics include the controversy over a new White House ballroom, political maneuvering during the government shutdown, redistricting in North Carolina, action against drug smuggling, and historical remembrance of Nazi policies against Jews. The episode is marked by O'Reilly’s direct tone, critical analysis, and listener mail.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. White House Construction Controversy

[00:09 - 01:53]

• Trump’s White House Ballroom:
  Mike Slater describes how President Trump's addition of a $250 million, 90,000 square foot ballroom—funded by Trump and donors, not taxpayers—has sparked major backlash from Democrats and media personalities, notably on Morning Joe.
  • Quote: "How many Democrats are upset by at Trump's ballroom addition to the White House... the folks at Morning Joe calling it disgusting and painful." – Mike Slater [00:14]
• Historical Comparison:
  Former First Lady Hillary Clinton accuses Trump of "destroying the White House," but Slater points out the Clintons left with $190,000 in White House property and had to return or repay tens of thousands.
• East Wing Renovation:
  The White House states the East Wing is being modernized, as it still relied on century-old infrastructure.

2. Political Leverage in the Shutdown

[01:54 - 02:23]

• Democratic Admission:
  Congresswoman Katherine Clark (second-highest-ranking House Democrat) acknowledges the government shutdown harms families but is publicly admitting it’s a tool for political leverage.
  • Quote: "Shutdowns are terrible... But it's one of the few leverage times we have." – Mike Slater quoting Clark [01:54]

3. North Carolina Congressional Redistricting

[02:24 - 02:53]

• New Map Favoring Republicans:
  North Carolina lawmakers pass a new congressional map likely to give Republicans an additional seat.
• Unvarnished Motive:
  One state senator openly says the "motivation is simple and singular: Bringing another Republican seat to North Carolina's congressional delegation."
  • Quote: "The motivation behind this redraw is simple and singular." – Mike Slater quoting a North Carolina state senator [02:45]

4. U.S. Military Targets Cartel Drug Boats

[02:54 - 03:01]

• Expanding the War on Drugs:
  The U.S. military takes out a drug boat in the Pacific, a departure from previous focus on drug convoys in the Atlantic and Caribbean.
  • "The difference this time is this is the first that we know of in the Pacific Ocean." – Mike Slater [02:54]
• Presidential Pledge:
  The President claims the U.S. will adapt as cartels try new smuggling methods.

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5. O’Reilly’s Message of the Day: The Propaganda Trap

[03:59 - 07:14]

• Corrine Jean-Pierre’s Book:
  O’Reilly quips about former White House Press Secretary Corrine Jean-Pierre’s book, relating it to the competitive D.C. publishing landscape.
• Defending Biden:
  O’Reilly sharply scrutinizes Jean-Pierre's claim that President Biden was always "engaged, never impaired" during his term:
  • "Most Americans, including Democratic chieftains, know Mr. Biden was on the ropes in the last year of his administration." – Bill O'Reilly [04:13]
  • On Jean-Pierre: "She cannot admit that because if she did, that would prove she misled everyone while working in the White House."
• Political Propaganda:
  O’Reilly broadens the point, accusing both parties of repeating untruths until accepted as fact.
  • "Many Americans know propaganda when they hear it...that’s what both political parties now embrace."
  • "Say something enough times, people start to believe it, like President Trump is a king."
• Biting Metaphor:
  O’Reilly likens Jean-Pierre’s position to an Elvis lyric:
  • "To quote Elvis, she's caught in a trap."
• Final Dig:
  "At one time, Corrine Jean Pierre was a powerful White House presence, but there is a good chance she was actually a court jester. Seems like it." – Bill O'Reilly [05:23]

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6. Listener Mail & Q&A

[06:24 - 07:15]

• On Honesty and Disagreement:
  O’Reilly reads a listener email appreciating his "honest opinions" despite occasional disagreements.
  • "We don't want massive agreement. We're not looking for that. I just give you the stuff. You take it or leave it." – Bill O'Reilly [06:34]
• On Judicial Immunity:
  Regarding district judges perceived as ruling politically:
  • "No. Judges have indemnification. They rule the way they want. That's why we have the appeals process." – Bill O'Reilly [06:52]
• Historical Reflection:
  Listener connects Henry VIII’s tyranny to the American Revolution and the U.S. Constitution's checks and balances.
  • "Our forefathers designed a constitution, three branches of government to prevent kings. The king's movement is stupid." – Bill O'Reilly [07:16]

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7. “Something You Might Not Know”: Nazi Ban on Jewish Emigration

[08:24 - 11:00]

• Anniversary:
  O’Reilly recounts the October 1941 Nazi ban on Jewish emigration, trapping 200,000 Jews inside the Reich—a key step toward the Holocaust.
• Historical Context:
  Describes the gradual stripping of rights, forced emigration of the affluent, and eventual deportation to ghettos and camps.
• Haunting Figures:
  Of the 200,000 sent to camps, only 7,000 survived.
  • "Today, Europe's Jewish population is still not recovered. Just 150,000 Jews live in Germany. That's 0.1% of the population."
• Educational Tone:
  This segment is factual and somber, showing O’Reilly’s commitment to historical awareness amid political talk.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments (with Timestamps)

• "How many Democrats are upset by Trump's ballroom addition to the White House... Morning Joe calling it disgusting and painful." – Mike Slater [00:14]
• "The 90,000 square foot ballroom is gonna cost $250 million paid for by Donald Trump and donors, not a penny by the taxpayer." – Mike Slater [00:40]
• "Shutdowns are terrible... But it's one of the few leverage times we have." – Mike Slater, quoting Catherine Clark [01:54]
• "The motivation behind this redraw is simple and singular. Drawing a new map that will bring an additional Republican seat to the North Carolina congressional delegation." – Mike Slater [02:45]
• "Most Americans...know Mr. Biden was on the ropes in the last year of his administration. The lone debate...proved it, as the then president was absolutely incoherent at times." – Bill O'Reilly [04:13]
• "Many Americans know propaganda when they hear it, and that's what both political parties now embrace. Say something enough times, people start to believe it, like President Trump is a king." – Bill O'Reilly [05:08]
• "At one time, Corrine Jean Pierre was a powerful White House presence, but there is a good chance she was actually a court jester. Seems like it." – Bill O'Reilly [05:23]
• "No. Judges have indemnification. They rule the way they want. That's why we have the appeals process... but not really." – Bill O'Reilly [06:52]
• "Our forefathers designed a constitution, three branches of government to prevent kings. The king's movement is stupid." – Bill O'Reilly [07:16]
• "Today, Europe's Jewish population is still not recovered. Just 150,000 Jews live in Germany. That's 0.1% of the population." – Bill O'Reilly [10:40]

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Key Segment Timestamps

• White House Construction & Political Fallout: 00:09 – 01:53
• Shutdown as Leverage: 01:54 – 02:23
• North Carolina Redistricting: 02:24 – 02:53
• Drug Boat Interdiction: 02:54 – 03:01
• O'Reilly Message of the Day (Propaganda & Jean-Pierre): 03:59 – 07:14
• Listener Mail & Political Q&A: 06:24 – 07:15
• Something You Might Not Know (Nazi Policy): 08:24 – 11:00

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Tone & Takeaways

• Direct and Candid: O'Reilly continues his "No Spin" philosophy, mixing pointed criticism, sarcasm, and historical gravity.
• Political Skepticism: The episode is skeptical of both major parties and highlights what O'Reilly sees as widespread political propaganda.
• Historical Perspective: The "Something You Might Not Know" segment provides somber context and balances the political commentary.
• Engagement: Praise for divergent listener opinions and the value of honest discourse.

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For newcomers: This episode offers a blend of political commentary, current events analysis, and a touch of history, all delivered in O'Reilly’s signature style—combative, wry, and sharply opinionated.

Transcript

[Bill O'Reilly]

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

[Mike Slater]

Thank you, Bill. It is Thursday, October 23, 2025. Here's what's happening today in America. White House destruction, shutdown, suffering, a new map in North Carolina and the first in the Pacific. That's all coming up. And Bill's gonna be here with your message of the day. But first, very funny. How many Democrats are upset by at Trump's ballroom addition to the White House construction crews tearing down a very small portion of the White House and the folks at Morning Joe calling it disgusting and painful. The White House said the East Wing is being modernized from its 1902 and 1942 constructions to support the ballroom project. And a new east wing which is currently the home to the first lady's office and the White House military office, among some other cramped offices. The 90,000 square foot ballroom is gonna cost $250 million paid for by Donald Trump and donors, not a penny by the taxpayer. Former first Lady Hillary Clinton said that Trump is destroying the White House. It's not his house. It's your house and he's destroying it. Worth noting that the Clintons walked away from the White House with $190,000 worth of China, flatware, rugs and sofas and other items they were forced to give to pay back $86,000 to make up for it. And they gave back $28,000 worth of stuff that they just stole. Congresswoman Catherine Clark, she's the second highest ranking Democrat in the House, is admitting that allowing families to suffer during the shutdown is all about leverage. She said shutdowns are terrible. And of course, there will be families that are going to suffer. We take that responsibility very seriously. But it's one of the few leverage times we have. North Carolina lawmakers approved a new congressional map that gives Republicans another seat. There's 14 congressional seats in North Carolina. Four are held by Democrats. Three of those are in seats that are like +20 Democrat. But one of the Democrats is in actually a plus one Republican district. A Democrat won it, but now it's strongly Republican. And here's some honesty from the main state senator behind the map. He said the motivation behind this redraw is simple and singular. Drawing a new map that will bring an additional Republican seat to the North Carolina congressional delegation. Our military has taken out another drug boat in international waters. The difference this time is this is the first that we know of in the Pacific Ocean. We've taken out about six again that we know of drug boats off the coast of Venezuela and Colombia. They've been in the Atlantic Ocean, the Caribbean. So the cartels decided to take a different route. But we were watching there, too. The president said that he anticipates the cartels will send more shipments over land. He said we'll take those out, too. I'm Mike Slater. I have a podcast called Politics by Faith. The great Bill O'Reilly. He has your message of the day.

[Miranda Devine]

Next power politics and the people behind the headlines.

[Bill O'Reilly]

Our country's back. We're really back.

[Miranda Devine]

Candid conversations with the people making the rules and changing the game. Can you see yourself as president one day?

[Bill O'Reilly]

I don't think about that. We just had an invasion over our southern border.

[Miranda Devine]

My husband is in the corner for the record, pumping his fist right now that you're asking this question. This is real talk with lawmakers, newsmakers and political disruptors.

[Bill O'Reilly]

I think Elon's port probably fences felt more of a Viking. I think I'm more of a ninja.

[Miranda Devine]

Join me, Miranda Devine, host of podforce One, for insightful talk, newsmaking moments and behind the scenes peeks at what makes America's greatest minds tick. Find Pod Force 1 on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Bill O'Reilly]

Your ratings are very good and I want to congratulate you. Time now for the O'Reilly update. Message of the day on this Thursday. Corrine Jean Pierre has a new book out and we wish her well. In the competitive world of publishing, Kamala Harris book is selling. So maybe that's a good omen for Joe Biden's former spokesperson. There is some caution here, however, Corinne has told interviews, all of them friendly, that President Biden was always engaged, never impaired. Uh oh. Most Americans, including Democratic chieftains, know Mr. Biden was on the ropes in the last year of his administration. The lone debate with Donald Trump proved it, as the then president was absolutely incoherent at times. But Corrine Jean Pierre cannot admit that because if she did, that would prove she misled everyone while working in the White House. So to quote Elvis, she's caught in a trap. Many Americans know propaganda when they hear it, and that's what both political parties now embrace. Say something enough times, people start to believe it, like President Trump is a king. At one time, Corrine Jean Pierre was a powerful White House presence, but there is a good chance she was actually a court jester. Seems like it. Anyway, I'm Bill O'Reilly. I approve the message by writing it. You can reach me. Billo reilly.com, billoriley.com Name in town. If you wish to opine, let's go to the mail. David, a concierge member. David gets big discounts on all the stuff we have for the holidays. We have some new stuff I'm going to tell you about. A moment David says, while I may vehemently disagree with you on rare occasions, Bill, I've also come to understand that over the past 25 years I've been a viewer. I can count on your honest opinions. No matter how our opinions diverge from time to time, that's golden to me. Good. We don't want massive agreement. We're not looking for that. I just give you the stuff. You take it or leave it. Kevin Martin, Drake it Massachusetts Bill, great analysis regarding presidential constitutional authority. I thought that was one of our best. If you're concierge Premium member, you can get a free transcript of what I said yesterday. And using the National Guard and high crime states, my question can anything be done to stop these district judges from using their bench politically against President Trump? No. Judges have indemnification. They rule the way they want. That's why we have the appeals process. The judges cannot be taken to task. They're embarrassed when they're overturned, but not really. Stephen kay, CONCIERGE MEMBER Henry VIII was indeed evil and a perfect example of why we fought the American Revolution.

[Chris Hansen]

And.

[Bill O'Reilly]

That our forefathers designed a constitution, three branches of government to prevent kings. The king's movement is stupid. President Trump is doing what a president should, but you can't fix stupid. It is stupid. I agree. Randolph. I drove by a protest for no kings in the villages Florida. There are hundreds of people. Their point was clear and concise. We hate Trump, but no kings is easier to sell. I think that's good analysis. They have golf car. They were marching in a moment. Something you might not know.

[Chris Hansen]

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[Bill O'Reilly]

Now, the O'Reilly update brings you something you might not know. 84 years ago today, the Nazi regime banned the emigration of Jewish people from within German borders. Without warning, more than 200,000 Jews are trapped inside the Third Reich. Here is the story behind the precursor to the Holocaust. After seizing power in 1933, Adolf Hitler began his campaign against so called sub humans. The Nazis gradually increased their persecution of Jews, Gypsies, homosexuals, Slavs, Africans and Communists. For the next eight years, wealthy individuals were allowed to leave Germany. By paying massive fees on visas and exit papers. The Jewish population dropped from 500,000 to 200,000 in Germany. Refugees fled to the United Kingdom, USA, Soviet Union and Palestine. In October 1941, Hitler declared emigration illegal, trapping the remaining Jews inside the country. Their fate was sealed. Most foreign consulates in German occupied territories were closed, making it virtually impossible for anyone to obtain exit visas. The shift in policy represented a change in Nazi priorities. Rather than have wealthy Jewish citizens flee with some resources, all property would be seized by the Third Reich. Once stripped of their belongings, the Jews would eventually be liquidated. One month later, German and Austrian Jews were issued deportation orders. They were dispatched first to ghettos in Poland, Belarus and Latvia, then to the concentration camps. Throughout the war, 5,000 German Jews lived secretly in Berlin. There they were shielded by Christian benefactors who provided shelter and food. Of the 200,000 dispatched to the camps, just 7,000 survived. And here's something else you might not know. Today, Europe's Jewish population is still not recovered. Just 150,000 Jews live in Germany. That's 0.1% of the population. Back after this.

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[Bill O'Reilly]

Thank you for listening to the O'Reilly update. I am Bill O'Reilly. No spin, just facts. And always looking out for you.