Episode Overview

Podcast: Bill O’Reilly’s No Spin News and Analysis
Episode: The O'Reilly Update, September 29, 2025
Host: Bill O'Reilly
News Segment Host: Mike Slater
Air Date: September 29, 2025

This episode delivers concise analysis and updates on major national headlines, including a tragic church attack in Michigan, late-breaking political developments in New York, escalating federal intervention in Portland, and military leadership changes. Bill O’Reilly provides his “Message of the Day” focused on partisan hostility toward sitting presidents, followed by listener mail and a historical segment linking past and present federal troop deployments in American cities.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Major News Updates (Mike Slater, 00:10–03:06)

Michigan Mormon Church Attack

• What happened:

  • A murderer drove a truck into a Michigan Mormon church during service, opened fire, and set the building on fire using gasoline.
  • Police responded in 25 seconds; the attacker was killed on scene.
  • Casualties: 1 died onsite, another at the hospital, and 2 more later found inside (likely died from fire).

• Presidential Statement:

  • Urged prayers for victims’ families.
  • Emphasized the epidemic of violence must end.

New York City Mayoral Race

• Eric Adams has ended his bid for re-election after polling in fourth place.
• Front-runner: Zoran Memdani, leading by 20+ points over Andrew Cuomo.
• Memdani’s Statement:

  “Donald Trump and his billionaire donors might be able to determine Eric Adams and Andrew Cuomo's actions, but they will not dictate the results of this election. New York deserves better than trading in one disgraced corrupt politician for another… On November 4th, we're going to turn the page on the politics of big money and small ideas and deliver a government every New Yorker can be proud of.” — Zoran Memdani (01:32)

National Guard Called in to Portland

• 200 National Guard troops dispatched to Portland by presidential order.
• Portland and Oregon are legally challenging the federal government’s intervention, labeling it “provocative and arbitrary.”
• Oregon’s Democratic Governor:

  “I think this is a sad day for our country… that the president of the United States does not listen to local leaders about what they need.” (02:10)

• President’s Position: Guard needed to keep federal law enforcement safe.

Military Leadership Summit

• Secretary of War Pete Hegseth convenes hundreds of senior generals and admirals at Quantico, including the commander in chief.
• Warrior Ethos Emphasized:
  • No direct quotes from military or president, but the host underscores the culture shift.

2. Bill O’Reilly’s Message of the Day (03:06–05:36)

• Main Theme: Partisan attitudes toward presidents—rooting for failure versus national interest.

• O’Reilly’s Stance:

  • Did not support Biden politically, but rooted for him as president to succeed for the country’s sake.
  • Criticizes those who want President Trump to fail, labeling it as “anti-American.”

• Notable Quote:

  “Along the way, I was not rooting for President Biden to fail… My stance was as an American to root for the president to solve problems. Of course Joe Biden let me down big time… Today, in the corrupt media, many want President Trump to fail at everything... I believe that’s anti-American, no question in my mind. Those haters are rooting against their own country and that is the truth.” — Bill O'Reilly (04:22)

3. Listener Mail (05:36–08:15)

• Kim Lewis (Nevada, Colorado):

  • Asked about interactions with Ambassador David Perdue during O’Reilly’s visit to China.
    • O’Reilly clarifies: no contact, only a courtesy debrief for the president upon return.

• Rex Price (Georgia):

  • Questioned why Hillary Clinton wasn't in O'Reilly's book Confronting Evil.
    • O'Reilly: "Perspective is very important in life." (06:44)

• Mark Longhofer (Kansas):

  • Praised O’Reilly’s Confronting Evil, asked about “semifinalists” for inclusion.
    • O’Reilly: Considered Saddam Hussein, Pol Pot, but their evil was “local” (07:13).

• Diane Brega (Ohio):

  • Thanked O’Reilly for offering the book free with early membership renewal.
    • O’Reilly, in typical style: "Just renew and you get the book free... Doesn't matter when it's up, get the free book.” (07:44)

4. Historical Reflection: “Something You Might Not Know” (08:41–11:17)

The 1962 Ole Miss Riot

• Synopsis:

  • 63 years ago, James Meredith—the first Black student at the University of Mississippi—was denied entry due to segregation.
  • Federal court intervened; state officials resisted.
  • Violent riot ensued, ending only after President Kennedy deployed 3,000 troops.
  • Meredith enrolled and graduated amid turbulence. Survived an assassination attempt in 1966; Martin Luther King Jr. finished his voter registration march.

• Connection to Present:

  • O’Reilly draws a parallel between historic and current debates over federal troop deployments in cities.
  • Poll: 42% of Americans support using troops to combat urban violence; 58% oppose.
  • O’Reilly’s Closing Remark:

    “Trump, however, is going to do it anyway.” (11:09)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the Michigan church attack:

  “Police were on the scene in 25 seconds. Somehow the murderer also set the building on fire, which caused a five alarm fire. He used gasoline as an accelerant.” — Mike Slater (00:43)

• On partisan rooting against presidents:

  "I believe that's anti-American. No question in my mind. Those haters are rooting against their own country and that is the Truth." — Bill O’Reilly (04:56)

• On modern troop deployments:

  “The nation remains divided over the deployment of federal troops to American cities. President Trump has threatened to dispatch soldiers to Chicago, Memphis, and other places stricken by violent crime.” — Bill O’Reilly (10:05)

Timestamps for Important Segments

| Segment | Timestamp | |--------------------------------------------------------------|---------------| | News headlines & Michigan Mormon church attack | 00:10–01:15 | | New York mayoral election update & Memdani’s statement | 01:15–01:55 | | National Guard to Portland, legal challenge, governor’s view | 01:56–02:35 | | Military summit and Pentagon moves | 02:36–03:06 | | O'Reilly's Message of the Day | 03:06–05:36 | | Listener mailbag & book discussion | 05:36–08:15 | | Historical Segment: Ole Miss riot, troops, poll numbers | 08:41–11:17 |

Summary Tone and Style

• O’Reilly’s approach is direct, opinionated, and focused on perceived facts over speculation, with his signature “no spin” ethos.
• The segment includes both hard news reporting and personal analysis, with multiple moments reflecting strong skepticism toward “big money politics” and partisan media.
• Listener engagement is lively, with O’Reilly responding off-the-cuff and sometimes with dry humor.

This summary should provide those who missed the episode with a thorough understanding of its most important discussions and distinctive moments, including the mixture of breaking news, commentary, and historical perspective characteristic of Bill O’Reilly’s broadcasts.