Episode Overview

Podcast: Keeping It Real: Conversations with Jillian Michaels
Episode: The Radical Left Is Playing with Fire – Bill O’Reilly Warns What’s Coming Next
Date: October 8, 2025
Host: Jillian Michaels
Guest: Bill O’Reilly, journalist, historian, and best-selling author ("Confronting Evil")

Main Theme:
Jillian Michaels and Bill O’Reilly engage in a candid conversation about the escalation of radical rhetoric in American politics, the historical roots and consequences of demonizing the opposition, the rising justification of political violence, the mechanics of propaganda (especially via social media), and parallels to the world’s most notorious regimes. O’Reilly also shares insights from his recent meeting with Chinese officials and discusses his new book, “Confronting Evil.”

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Political Climate: Then and Now

• Vietnam Era Parallels (04:19)
  • O’Reilly recalls the violence and societal split of 1968-72 (Vietnam War, police attacks, family divisions).
  • Quote: "Now we're in a different cycle of hatred because it's just one man that's generating the hatred and that's Donald Trump... It is intense." — Bill O’Reilly (04:54)
• Current Division Driven by Both Sides
  • Michaels worries about inflammatory rhetoric predominantly from the far left, though concedes the right’s historical share in violence (05:49). She references political figures (Clinton, Omar, Newsom) invoking race and fascist analogies to demonize opponents.

2. The Rhetoric of Demonization

• Both Sides Use the Same Playbook (07:52)
  • O’Reilly suggests politicians, regardless of party, tap into the same tactics: demonizing opposition and positioning themselves as the “avenger.”
  • Quote: "Newsom is taking the Donald Trump playbook of demonizing the opposition... He’s just using it on another area." — Bill O’Reilly (08:22)
• Social Media as a Radicalizer
  • He notes that unlike in the Vietnam era, now “there’s a central meeting place for the loons” through social media—making radicalization and encouragement of violence easier (09:19).
  • O’Reilly refers to the killing of Charlie Kirk as an example of online-fueled extremism.

3. The Mechanics of Evil and Propaganda

• How Dictators Sway Populations (13:47, 14:43)
  • Michaels questions how figures like Hitler persuade a nation to commit atrocities; O’Reilly points to propaganda and a public’s willingness to “look away” during hardship.
  • Quote: "If an individual or a country embrace evil... a lot of it’s just looking away from it." — Bill O’Reilly (16:08)
• Current Parallels to Historical Atrocities
  • O’Reilly draws direct lines from Hitler’s Germany and Mao’s China to modern figures like Putin and Khamenei, highlighting public complicity or apathy in the face of evil.

4. The Rise of Justified Political Violence

• Moral Inversion (17:15)
  • Michaels references celebrations of political assassinations, viral polls indicating young leftists justify violence, and rhetoric that frames violent actors as heroes against “Nazis” and “fascists.”
• Ignorance and Lack of Education (18:12)
  • O’Reilly criticizes the failure of civics education as a root of susceptibility to propaganda.
  • Quote: "The public school system doesn't teach history or civics any longer to any effective degree. The urchins don't know anything." — Bill O’Reilly (18:29)
• How Radical Candidates Succeed
  • They discuss radical candidates like “Mandami” in NYC and the danger posed when voters support policies they don’t fully understand or anticipate (18:57–20:19).

5. Bystanders and the “Playbook” of Destruction

• Evil’s Two Requirements (21:00)
  • O’Reilly outlines that evil thrives when good people are apathetic and when the uninformed are manipulated into support.
  • He draws parallels to Castro’s rise in Cuba, stating radical campaigns often cloak intentions until in power (21:40).
• Playbook Tactics: Smear, Litigate, Intimidate (27:47)
  • Michaels and O’Reilly enumerate the escalation: public shaming, legal harassment, and, when all else fails, violence.

6. Institutional and Cultural Leverage

• Media and Agency Pressure in Hollywood (25:17, 27:16)
  • O’Reilly explains how centralized media and industry pressure amplify the far left's tactics (e.g., Jimmy Kimmel's reinstatement).
  • Quote: “He was reinstated because the giant talent agencies…told [Disney’s] Bob Iger, you put Kimmel back or we're not going to do business with you anymore.” — Bill O’Reilly (26:03)

7. Dangers of Racial Demonization

• Race-baiting as a Narrative
  • Michaels expresses fear about demonizing white men under the guise of anti-racism, warning that this breeds more real-world racism, not less (29:39).
  • O’Reilly humorously concedes: “There are a lot of bad white men, and a lot of them are in Hollywood.” (29:32)

8. Law Enforcement and “Gestapo” Analogies

• ICE, Law, and Political Narrative (30:38)
  • Michaels questions the accuracy and effect of comparing ICE to Gestapo; O’Reilly outlines the legal process behind immigration enforcement and criticizes hyperbolic misrepresentations from left-leaning politicians.

9. Grievance Politics and Community Messaging

• Local Leaders Fueling Division (34:18)
  • O’Reilly asserts that in minority-heavy, liberal cities, church and community leaders perpetuate grievance narratives, impeding honest political discourse and reform.

10. Misinformation and the Failure of Education

• New Media’s Double-Edged Sword (36:16)
  • Michaels laments misinformation in both legacy and new media. O’Reilly advocates for educational reform and increased historical literacy as the best antidote.
  • Quote: “The only way to counter the misinformation and propaganda on both sides is the education system doing its job.” (37:29)

11. The Worst Perpetrators of Evil in History

• Ranking Historical Monsters (38:20)
  • O’Reilly designates Mao Zedong as history's greatest mass murderer (“20 million Chinese... killed his own people”), followed by Genghis Khan and Hitler.
  • His book, “Confronting Evil,” links the patterns of historical evil to contemporary events and leaders (39:49).
  • Quote: “My entire book... links in to the present day. That was the one thing that binds all these 15 miscreants together.” (39:49)

12. Dealing with Today’s “Evil Regimes”

• Engagement vs. Proxy Wars (40:35)
  • Michaels queries how to deal with nuclear-armed autocrats; O’Reilly recounts his unprecedented Q&A session with China’s Politburo (41:27).
  • He proposed a “partnership for peace and prosperity” between the US and China as a potential game-changer, but expresses uncertainty over long-term impact.

13. Personal Philosophy and Role

• Why O’Reilly Stays Out of Politics (43:49)
  • O’Reilly describes himself as more valuable as an independent voice than a politician: “I can’t sit there for meetings... it bores me to tears. I think I’m much better suited bloviating on BillOReilly.com...” (44:06)

14. Call to Action & Closing Thoughts

• Both agree: combating rising polarization and violence requires honest, courageous education and engagement—not apathy.
• Jillian thanks O’Reilly for his candor and ongoing work, echoing the episode’s urgent message for vigilance and personal involvement in safeguarding truth.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Historic Cycles of Violence:
  “There wasn't a central meeting place for the loons. Okay? Now there is.” — Bill O’Reilly (09:19)

• Moral Inversion in the Modern Era:
  “People celebrate... dancing and celebrating at the death of Charlie Kirk... The only thing I can make of it is that, oh, well, you're a Nazi and you're a fascist… so I'm actually this great hero.” — Jillian Michaels (17:15)

• On How Evil Prospers:
  “Evil needs two things, okay? To really prosper, it needs good people to not pay attention, to be apathetic... and it needs gullible, maybe dumb people to sign on.” — Bill O’Reilly (21:00)

• Propaganda and Education:
  “The only way to counter the misinformation and propaganda on both sides is the education system doing its job...” — Bill O’Reilly (37:29)

• Personal Resolve:
  “I’m not gonna let the bastards get me down. So I pop right up and I’m stronger now than I ever have been.” — Bill O’Reilly (25:06)

• Perspective on Solutions:
  “If you tell me what the problem is, Gillian, I’ll give you the solution. And if you don’t like it, okay. But I can't sit there for meetings and listen to these pinheads...” — Bill O’Reilly (43:49)

Timestamps for Key Segments

| Segment Topic | Timestamp | |---------------------------------------------------|------------| | Opening and Theme Introduction | 02:13–03:11| | Political Climate: Vietnam Era and Now | 04:19–05:49| | Democrats, Republicans, and Demonization | 05:49–07:52| | The Trump/Newsom “Avenger” Parallel | 07:52–09:19| | Social Media as Radicalizing Force | 09:19–11:10| | The Mechanisms of Evil and Propaganda | 13:47–16:08| | Moral Inversion & Justifying Political Violence | 17:15–18:12| | Ignorance, Education, and Radical Candidates | 18:12–20:19| | Playbook: Smear, Litigate, Intimidate, Violence | 27:16–29:07| | Institutional Power and Media Pressure | 25:17–27:16| | Racial Demonization and Its Risks | 29:32–30:53| | ICE and “Gestapo” Analogies | 30:38–31:28| | Grievance Politics in Minority Communities | 34:11–35:21| | Misinformation in Media and Education | 36:16–38:08| | Historical Figures: Mao, Hitler, Genghis Khan | 38:20–39:49| | Dealing with Modern Dictators (China, Russia) | 40:35–43:45| | O’Reilly’s Role and Refusal for Politics | 43:49–44:59| | Closing and Call to Action | 46:03–46:30|

Overall Tone

The discussion is frank, urgent, and informed, channeling O’Reilly’s assertive, occasionally sardonic style and Michaels’ open, no-nonsense approach. Both express deep concern about current trends, the erosion of civil discourse, and the dangerous consequences if polarization and propaganda go unchallenged.

Final Thought

This episode challenges listeners to examine how rhetoric, media, history, and personal responsibility intersect. The message: vigilance, education, and courage are essential to withstand the rising tide of division—and to “confront evil,” both past and present.