The O’Reilly Update – September 3, 2025

Host: Bill O’Reilly
News Segment: Mike Slater
Theme: National Security Strikes, Chicago Crime, Space Command, Presidential Rumors, and a Historical Perspective on American Independence

Overview

This episode of The O’Reilly Update zeroes in on national security action against foreign terrorists, the ongoing crisis of violent crime in Chicago, and shifting federal strategies under President Trump. The episode also addresses rumors about President Trump’s health, administrative changes regarding U.S. Space Command, and reflections on the unlikely American victory in the Revolutionary War.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. U.S. Kinetic Strike on Aragua Narco-terrorists

[00:09 – 01:31]

• News Recap (Mike Slater):
  • The U.S. conducted a military strike against TDA (Aragua) terrorists in the SOUTHCOM (Southern Command) area, under direct orders by President Trump. These terrorists were linked to Venezuela’s Nicolas Maduro and accused of drug and human trafficking, as well as violent crimes in the Western Hemisphere.
  • The attack took place in international waters; 11 terrorists were killed, without U.S. casualties.
  • Trump posted on Truth Social, warning:

    "To anybody even thinking about bringing drugs into the United States of America, beware. Thank you for your attention to this matter with lots of exclamation points."
    (Mike Slater, 01:00)

  • A video showing a boat being blown up was also posted by the President.
  • Senator Marco Rubio is quoted advocating that these groups be treated as armed terrorist organizations, not merely drug dealers.

2. Escalating Violence and Political Feud in Chicago

[01:32 – 02:07]

• Over the weekend, 58 people were shot and 8 killed in Chicago, including a 14-year-old.
• Trump posted that Chicago is “the most dangerous city in the world by far” and suggested federal intervention would restore safety:

  "I'll solve the crime problem fast, just like I did in D.C. Chicago will be safe again and soon."
  (Paraphrased by Mike Slater, 01:55)

• Counterpoint from Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker:

  "There’s no emergency. Donald Trump is attempting to manufacture a crisis. And my favorite big cities have crime like, oh, it's a big deal. What's the video? Just, just eight people murdered in my city. Over this weekend."
  (Mike Slater, 02:08)

• Tension is mounting between federal strategies and state/local resistance.

3. U.S. Space Command Relocation

[02:15 – 02:33]

• Space Command headquarters is moving from Colorado Springs to Huntsville, Alabama. Trump initially made this decision during his first term, but it had been reversed by Biden. Trump has reinstated the move.
• Colorado officials are vowing to fight the transfer.

4. Rumors About President Trump’s Health

[02:34 – 02:57]

• Viral rumors spread that Trump was dead after a two-day break from news conferences.
• Trump’s response:

  "I've heard it sort of crazy... Last week I did numerous news conferences and then I didn't do any for two days. And they said, oh, there must be something wrong with him. Biden wouldn't do them for months. You wouldn't see him. And nobody in the media ever said there was anything wrong with him."
  (Mike Slater quoting Trump, 02:40)

• Governor Pritzker responded to Trump’s Chicago post:

  “Why don’t you send everyone proof of life first?”
  (Mike Slater, 02:50)

• Commentary that the rumors are the “best the left has at the moment. Just their wishful thinking.”

Bill O’Reilly’s Message of the Day: Federal Intervention in Chicago

[03:06 – 05:06]

• O’Reilly argues for deploying National Guard and federal agents to Chicago due to rising violent crime.
• While Illinois state officials claim the murder rate is falling, O’Reilly cites 578 murders in 2024 (423 Black victims), attributing most deaths to drug gangs.
• Challenges for witnesses:

  “If they inform on or testify against gang members, they become targets. So most homicides go unpunished.”
  (Bill O’Reilly, 03:40)

• Links Trump’s strategy to prior federal successes in D.C., but criticizes Illinois Governor Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Johnson for opposing federal intervention:

  “Pritzker is a machine politician who savors ideological governance. No problem solving for JB. Nope. It’s all left wing gibberish. Johnson is simply horrendous. He is worse than the previous mayor, Lori Lightfoot. Neither of those men are going to solve the violent crime problem in Chicago. So federal intrusion is needed.”
  (Bill O’Reilly, 04:05)

Listener Mailbag Highlights

[05:07 – 08:00]

• Norman: Suggests Trump has to act as a heroic stabilizer (“Alexander Hamilton” comparison).
  • O’Reilly: “I wrote a column that said Donald Trump is Alexander Hamilton, and whereupon all the Broadway people that put on the play Hamilton had heart attacks. It's exactly the same.” [06:00]
• Peter: Warns against centralized government power turning into tyranny.
• Bill McDaniel: Prefers secrecy in House Ethics investigations; O’Reilly insists on public’s right to know.

  “No, we the people have a right to know who's being looked at. I understand the media corrupt as they come, but I'm a private citizen and I get hammered every time anybody floats a rumor around me. So you're supposed to give these people into Congress more protection. Come on.”
  (O’Reilly, 07:00)

• John Pellegrino: Notes crime control and border closure are good but hasn’t seen personal economic improvement yet; O’Reilly advises patience and stresses economics will be a big 2026 midterm issue.

Something You Might Not Know: The Treaty of Paris

[08:01 – 09:45]

• On September 3, 1783, the Treaty of Paris formally recognized U.S. independence from Britain.
• O’Reilly recounts the Revolutionary War’s main events—creation of the Continental Army, George Washington’s command, major battles, and eventual victory at Yorktown.
• Notable statistics:

  “About 250,000 men served in the Continental Army, 30,000 wounded, 8,000 killed.”

• Underdog achievement:

  “The American victory over the British is one of the most unlikely scenarios in military history...the patriots were outnumbered 15 to 1. By modern standards, that’s the equivalent of Poland defeating the USA in a war.”
  (O’Reilly, 09:00)

• Promotes his book, Killing England, for those interested in more on this history.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Federal Action Against Gangs:

  “Black. Drug gangs are primarily responsible for the slaughter, which mostly takes place in poor areas where citizens have little protection, like Mexico. If they inform on or testify against gang members, they become targets. So most homicides go unpunished.”
  (Bill O’Reilly, 03:40)

• On Chicago Political Leadership:

  "Pritzker is a machine politician who savors ideological governance. No problem solving for jb Nope. It's all left wing gibberish. Johnson is simply horrendous. He is worse than than the previous mayor, Lori Lightfoot. Neither of those men are going to solve the violent crime problem in Chicago. So federal intrusion is needed."
  (Bill O'Reilly, 04:05)

• Rebuttal to House Ethics Secrecy:

  “No, we the people have a right to know who's being looked at. I understand the media corrupt as they come, but I'm a private citizen and I get hammered every time anybody floats a rumor around me. So you're supposed to give these people into Congress more protection. Come on.”
  (Bill O’Reilly, 07:00)

• Historical Perspective on American Independence Victory:

  “By modern standards, that's the equivalent of Poland defeating the USA in a war.”
  (Bill O’Reilly, 09:10)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• U.S. military strike & reaction: 00:09 – 01:31
• Chicago violence and political battle: 01:32 – 02:07
• Space Command move: 02:15 – 02:33
• President Trump health rumor response: 02:34 – 02:57
• O’Reilly’s Message on Chicago and federal action: 03:06 – 05:06
• Listener letters/mailbag: 05:07 – 08:00
• Treaty of Paris ‘something you might not know’: 08:01 – 09:45

Summary

This episode provides a sharp, opinion-driven look at major national and city crime stories, federal enforcement strategies, and political leadership, all filtered through Bill O’Reilly’s viewpoint. He gives listeners a blend of hard news—military strikes, crime stats, political maneuvers—alongside historical reflection and fiery listener engagement.

The tone is assertive and critical of progressive governance, with O’Reilly making a case for bold federal action to address what he sees as local failures in policing and leadership. The historical context serves to remind listeners of America’s resilience against the odds, tying past glories to present challenges.