The Stephen A. Smith Show

Episode: Bill O’Reilly on Confronting Evil and Bill Maher on Kimmel’s Return to Late Night

Date: September 25, 2025
Host: Stephen A. Smith (with Co-host/Commentator)
Notable Guests: Bill O’Reilly, Bill Maher

Episode Overview

In this politically charged and highly topical episode, Stephen A. Smith continues to flex his political muscles on Straight Shooter, diving deep into recent media controversies, free speech debates, the current state of American politics, and the rise of what he and his guests refer to as "evil" in society. Smith navigates interviews and call-in discussions with his signature blend of independence, bluntness, and strategic insight.

Key focal points include Jimmy Kimmel’s controversial suspension and return to late night TV, government and media overreach narratives, polarization, hypocrisy in political discourse, effective leadership, and candid conversations with Bill O’Reilly and Bill Maher about culture, free speech, and the future of the country.

Table of Contents

• Opening Theme: Independence and Principle
• Jimmy Kimmel’s Suspension: Media, Government, and Free Speech
• Donald Trump and Political Strategy
• Callers on Candidates, Partisanship, and Everyday Concerns
• Interview: Bill O’Reilly on "Confronting Evil" (23:37-45:48)
• Leadership, Hypocrisy, and Political Cynicism
• Interview: Bill Maher on Media, Democrats, and Political Reality (77:10-90:38)
• Late Segment: More Listener Calls and Final Thoughts

Opening Theme: Independence and Principle

Stephen A. Smith opens reflecting on the fallout from voicing unpopular opinions and the loneliness that comes with holding independent views:

• He’s lost friends due to his willingness to speak his mind on political issues.
• Reiterates commitment to non-monolithic, non-partisan thinking, "I'm going to be me..." (03:49).

Key Quote:

"It could be a very, very lonely existence when you decide to stand on certain principles... when I think about the issues we're going to talk about today... people want you to have monolithic thinking..." — Stephen A. Smith (02:08-02:54)

Jimmy Kimmel’s Suspension: Media, Government, and Free Speech

The Incident

• Jimmy Kimmel was taken off-air for four days after remarks post-Charlie Kirk's assassination.
• Protests followed, with subscriber backlash and media attention.

Media and Political Backlash

• Howard Stern defends Kimmel and denounces government interference (05:18):

  "When the government says, I'm not pleased with you so we're going to orchestrate a way to silence you, it's the wrong direction for our country." — Howard Stern (05:30)

• Concerns about government overreach under the Trump administration, especially with the Pentagon trying to pre-screen information.

• Smith and team highlight hypocrisy: When Tucker Carlson was pulled, or liberal administrations pressured social media, was outrage consistent?

Stephen A. on Hypocrisy:

"...if you are able to point to the other side doing the same thing... then it becomes a bit more alarming... hypocrisy comes into play." (08:00)

Donald Trump and Political Strategy

Smith analyzes Trump's political resilience and the persistent focus on him by opponents:

• Despite legal battles and scandals, Trump retains the young vote, black vote, and even wins swing states and possibly a historic popular vote.
• Criticizes the narrative that attacking Trump equates to attacking his voters (11:12).
• Stresses the need for strategy, not just outrage, from Democrats and progressives.

Quote:

"He was still allowed to run for president. And he was still allowed to secure the Republican nominee, the GOP nominee. And he was still allowed to ultimately win the presidency..." — Stephen A. Smith (10:45)

Callers on Candidates, Partisanship, and Everyday Concerns

[18:04-20:59]

• Mark from Wisconsin: Worried about who to support, not sold on Gavin Newsom.

  • Smith endorses Josh Shapiro (PA) and Wes Moore (MD) as his favorites, criticizes Newsom's record on affordability and business climate.

  Quote:

  "He looks so presidential. Right? ...but when you are in office, you have to say no sometimes, and it doesn't seem to be his gift." — Stephen A. Smith (19:17)

• Adam from Chicago: Argues for bridging communication gaps and shared facts.

  • Smith counters with realism: Americans vote based on personal need, not deep policy analysis.

Interview: Bill O’Reilly on "Confronting Evil" (23:37-45:48)

Focus: O’Reilly’s book and worldview on evil in modern society.

Defining Evil and Its Rise

• O’Reilly: "If you hurt another human being intentionally... and have no remorse... that's evil." (24:12)
• Cites the rise of public disorder, narcotics, and violence in America’s major cities as evidence.
• Puts Putin on his book’s cover to signal the current global crisis.

Evaluating Presidents

• O’Reilly asserts no president in his lifetime has been "evil," not even Trump or Biden, though Biden is "the second worst president" (29:20).
  • "He was lucky he got second because the Civil War is pretty big. But Biden was...boy, he was bad." (29:20.

On Trump, Putin, and Changing Threats

• Trump contained Putin during his first term; now Putin is "a flat-out sociopath."
• O’Reilly gave Trump his book to warn him about Putin's current dangerousness.
• China is described as the top geopolitical threat.

Quote:

"If Russia uses a nuclear weapon, then everybody in the world suffers, including China..." — Bill O’Reilly (34:56)

On Jimmy Kimmel and Free Speech

• O’Reilly argues government should have standards for broadcast networks using public airwaves; says Kimmel crossed lines by making partisan, inflammatory comments.

• Critiques Kimmel’s partisan skew and lack of ideological diversity on his show.

  Quote:

  "Kimmel is the violator of free speech. He's not the victim..." — Bill O’Reilly (41:01)

On Kamala Harris and Democratic Politics

• O’Reilly dismisses Harris’s book attacks as attempts to sell books, calls her political career over. Says, "If she were president right now, we'd all be in so much trouble. Oh, my God." (43:43)

On His Book's Adaptation

• Confronting Evil is being adapted into a TV series. (44:15)

Leadership, Hypocrisy, and Political Cynicism

• Smith highlights hypocritical shifts in positions by politicians and regulators (FCC, both under Trump and prior Biden admin).
• Sees polarization as aggravated by both left and right—calls for effective, adult leadership.
• Returns to his theme of non-partisanship: supportive of both liberal and conservative candidates based on issue, not label.

Quote:

"I don't trust none of them [politicians]... the American people have been used as pawns for far too long." — Stephen A. Smith (53:11)

Interview: Bill Maher on Media, Democrats, and Political Reality (77:10-90:38)

Smith and Maher have their expected sharp, comedic, and candid rapport.

On Kimmel and the Bubble

• Maher clarifies: Kimmel didn’t insult Charlie Kirk but went after MAGA; says late night shows are failing because they dismiss half the country. (77:40)

  Quote:

  "They arrogantly dismiss half the country. They don't speak to them, let alone for them. And that's a problem." — Bill Maher (77:40)

On Free Speech and Political Violence

• Maher sees both left and right as guilty of undermining free speech values.

  "Once you start with, yeah, but you know, what he said was terrible. I don't care. Irrelevant. ...we don't shoot each other in this country." (79:54)

On Trump, Democrats, and Political Strategy

• Maher is most alarmed by Trump now "doing it"—removing officials, weaponizing government.

• Says Democrats need a true outsider, a "ghost brand" relaunch: "People have lost faith in the Democratic Party for very good reasons." (84:34)

• Praises Gavin Newsom’s talents but doubts any far-left figure could win nationally.

  "I'm not a Democrat now. I'm an independent. I don't have a home, a pucks on both your houses because what has been delivered to my children and to my grandchildren nobody should feel good about." — Crystal, caller (93:29)

• Warns Republicans may cling to power regardless of vote outcome.

Late Segment: More Listener Calls and Final Thoughts

• Continued themes: Voters’ weariness with polarization (“I feel like you are the adult in the room...”), fears about generational leadership, lack of strategic vision by the left, the alienation of the middle.
• Smith repeatedly calls for adults in the room and for both parties to stop "using the American public as pawns."
• Takes on the Israel-Gaza issue, noting its complexity and dangers of incomplete narratives.

Notable Quotes & Moments

| Timestamp | Speaker | Quote | |-----------|--------------|-------| | 05:30 | Howard Stern | "When the government says, I'm not pleased with you so we're going to orchestrate a way to silence you, it's the wrong direction for our country." | | 24:12 | Bill O’Reilly| "If you hurt another human being intentionally, you know you're hurting them, and then you have no remorse. That is evil." | | 41:01 | Bill O’Reilly| "Kimmel is the violator of free speech. He's not the victim..." | | 77:40 | Bill Maher | "They arrogantly dismiss half the country. They don't speak to them, let alone for them. And that's a problem." | | 79:54 | Bill Maher | "We don't shoot each other in this country. And anybody who said anything that was mocking his death or anything like that, abhorrent, but not illegal." | | 84:34 | Bill Maher | "People have lost faith in the Democratic Party for very, very good reasons..." | | 93:29 | Crystal, caller| "I'm not a Democrat now. I'm an independent. I don't have a home, a pucks on both your houses because what has been delivered to my children and to my grandchildren nobody should feel good about." |

Episode Structure, Key Timestamps

• 00:51–03:49 Opening, show purpose, Stephen A. informs listeners about independence and recent fallout
• 04:57–06:15 Howard Stern clip about Kimmel’s suspension
• 08:00–11:34 Smith on Trump, political strategy, and monolithic thinking
• 18:04–21:02 Callers discuss presidential choices, Newsom, and everyday voter concerns
• 23:37–45:48 Bill O'Reilly interview: confronting evil, U.S. leadership/presidents, Trump, Putin, free speech
• 50:13–54:57 Smith on partisanship, hypocrisy, independence, and media
• 77:10–90:38 Bill Maher interview: late night TV, Trump, media partisanship, future of Democrats
• 91:10–98:54 Listener calls: polarization, strategic vision, generational anxiety, Israel-Gaza complexity

Tone & Style

• Candid, fiery, and strategic. Stephen A. maintains his signature mix of sharp analysis, relatable language, and unvarnished opinions.
• Direct engagement with tough subjects: "What are you gonna do? ... Think about strategy. How are you going to beat him?" (59:01)
• Atmosphere in the interviews: frank, mutual respect, with playful banter (e.g., Maher and Stephen A. on running for president).

Summary Takeaways

• Free Speech & Media: The episode uses the Kimmel scandal to lay bare contradictions on both sides of the aisle regarding censorship, government overreach, and inconsistent standards.
• Polarization & Hypocrisy: Smith and guests argue that both the right and the left have at times abused power or principles, leaving American voters feeling used and disillusioned.
• Leadership & Strategy: There’s a clarion call for the emergence of "adults in the room," for real strategy over venting, and for leaders who can unite, not just inflame.
• Voters & the Middle: The podcast and its callers underscore the longing for pragmatic, independent thinking—most Americans are not polarized extremists but practical centrists.
• Future Uncertain: Both Maher and O'Reilly, as well as Smith, express deep concerns about the future of the country, the Democratic Party’s viability, and the Republican Party’s loyalty to power.

Closing

Stephen A. leaves listeners with an open line (866-967-6887), encouraging real dialogue, promising more of the same energetic, hard-hitting explorations on politics, media, and what’s next for America—always, as he says, "Straight Shooter with Stephen A."