Podcast Summary: Bill O’Reilly’s No Spin News and Analysis

Episode: The O'Reilly Update, October 4, 2025
Host: Bill O'Reilly
Guest Contributors: Mike Slater
Date: October 4, 2025

Episode Overview

This weekend edition of The O'Reilly Update covers the top news stories of the week, a special message from Bill O'Reilly on George Soros and the Justice Department investigation, listener mail addressing misinformation and media issues, and a historical segment on the origins of "In God We Trust" on US currency. The episode maintains a factual, critical tone and emphasizes the importance of information and free speech.

Key Discussion Points

1. Weekly News Highlights

(00:10–03:05, Mike Slater)

• Government Shutdown

  • Ongoing with “no end in sight.”
  • Senator Thune claims Democrats are yielding to “far left base,” allegedly misjudging the PR optics.
  • Senator Doug Burgum remarked on differences between current administration and Obama’s 2013 shutdown response—Obama’s controversial fencing at World War II Memorial vs. current efforts “to keep as much open as possible.”

• US Military Action Against Drug Cartels

  • President officially notified Congress that the US is in an “armed conflict with drug cartels” after military strikes on smuggling boats in the Caribbean.
  • Some congressional concern about “due process protections.”
  • Memorable quote:

    “The United States is in a non international armed conflict with these designated terrorist organizations.” (Mike Slater quoting White House memo, 01:59)

• Yom Kippur Attack in England

  • A violent attack by Jihad Al Shami, a naturalized British citizen of Syrian origin, left 2 dead and 3 seriously injured.
  • Notable act: Synagogue quickly locked doors, “preventing the murderer from getting inside.”
  • Quote:

    “He was found trying to stab his way through a window when the police arrived.” (Mike Slater, 02:22)

• Upcoming Nobel Peace Prize Announcement

  • Several world leaders have nominated Donald Trump.
  • Historian cited: “Completely unthinkable that Trump will win” due to his break with multilateralism.
  • Quote:

    “He achieved peace, but just not the right way.” (Mike Slater paraphrasing a historian, 02:54)

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

(03:32–05:35)

• Justice Department Investigation
  • DOJ is investigating George Soros, 95, for possible criminal funding of groups that incite violence.
  • Possible charges under RICO statutes for “funding criminal enterprises.”
  • Soros lawyers deny wrongdoing; O’Reilly calls it a “very difficult case.”
  • Quote:

    “The political Soros money has done substantial damage to America. He’s funded radical DAs like Kim Fox in Chicago, Larry Krasner in Philadelphia, George Gaston in Los Angeles. These people have allowed violent crime to surge.” (Bill O’Reilly, 04:23)

  • O’Reilly notes Soros has also funded children’s charities and contributed $500,000 to Joe Biden’s campaign—the highest Biden received.
  • Final assessment: “No question, however, that’s not a crime, but a criminal referral will hurt him. Will it happen? Good chance.”

3. Listener Mailbag: Free Speech, Fact-Checking, and Information

(05:35–07:30)

• Free Speech in Media

  • Listener John laments lack of platforms for “opposing points of view,” except NewsNation.
  • O’Reilly: “Information is power,” justifying the show’s focus on facts.

• Jimmy Kimmel Controversy

  • Listener Perry Abel references misinformation suggesting Kimmel’s punishment started with the Trump administration.
  • O’Reilly clarifies: “Viewers started this by calling their local stations and complaining about Kimmel. Absolutely right.”

• Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Fact Check

  • Listener Mary Hughes asks why AOC isn’t charged after being fact-checked for lying.
  • O’Reilly explains: “Because they weren’t told under oath… That’s perjury. You can say whatever you want under the First Amendment, Mary. Not gonna get charged.”

• On O’Reilly’s Book “Confronting Evil”

  • Listener Aaron Lechner appreciates its value in analyzing current events.
  • O’Reilly: “You would assemble information that will help you know what’s true and what isn’t true in your everyday life.”

4. “Something You Might Not Know”: “In God We Trust” on Currency

(08:00–10:38)

• History of the Motto

  • “In God We Trust” first appeared on a 2-cent coin in 1864.
  • By 1955, Congress mandated it on all U.S. currency; became official national motto in 1957.
  • Eisenhower’s rationale cited Cold War context:
    • Quote:

      “We are reaffirming the transcendence of religious faith in America’s heritage and future… spiritual weapons which forever will be our country’s most powerful resource in peace and war.” (Bill O’Reilly quoting Eisenhower, 09:25)

• Controversy

  • NY Times opposed the motto as unconstitutional; religious leaders divided over using God’s name on money.
  • Other countries' currency mottos mentioned for comparison (e.g., Afghanistan: “There is no God but Allah”).

Notable Quotes

• On Soros Investigation

  • “The political Soros money has done substantial damage to America.” (Bill O’Reilly, 04:23)

• On Free Speech

  • “Information is power.” (Bill O’Reilly, 05:52)

• On National Motto

  • “In this way, we shall constantly strengthen those spiritual weapons which forever will be our country’s most powerful resource in peace and war.” (Bill O’Reilly quoting Eisenhower, 09:25)

• On Media and Truth

  • “Without basic knowledge of the actual truth, you still don’t know what’s going on. That is the main reason to listen to O’Reilly. Thank you.” (Listener mail, 05:45)

Timestamps for Major Segments

• Weekly News Recap (Mike Slater): 00:10–03:05
• O'Reilly Message on Soros & Justice Dept.: 03:32–05:35
• Listener Mail & O’Reilly Answers: 05:35–07:30
• History Segment: “In God We Trust”: 08:00–10:38

This episode delivers a firm, inquisitive take on current events, media bias, and American tradition, with O’Reilly’s trademark skepticism toward institutional power.