Summary of "Interview Only: Bill O'Reilly Grades President Trump. He Dismisses Steve Bannon's Trump for a 3rd Term Talk."

Released on March 26, 2025, on The Stephen A. Smith Show hosted by Stephen A. Smith and produced by iHeartPodcasts, this episode features an in-depth interview with renowned political commentator Bill O'Reilly. The discussion delves into various topics, including President Donald Trump's administration, the feasibility of a third term for Trump, Elon Musk's involvement in the government, federal debt concerns, and the upcoming "Three Americans Live" event.

1. Introduction and Guest Background

Stephen A. Smith opens the show by introducing Bill O'Reilly, highlighting his extensive career as a political commentator, author, and former host of The O'Reilly Factor on Fox News Channel. He emphasizes O'Reilly's independent stance and his current role at No Spin News.

• Notable Quote:
  Stephen A. Smith [01:10]: "He's a political commentator, doesn't call himself conservative. He says he's independent on television and radio."

2. Bill O'Reilly's Self-Perception and Audience

The conversation begins with Stephen A. Smith asking O'Reilly to describe himself, to which O'Reilly responds with terms like "independent," "thinker," "bloviator," "provocateur," and "judgmental," also noting his Irish American heritage.

O'Reilly discusses his audience demographics, noting that while his previous show at Fox News had a balanced viewership with a majority being traditional rather than strictly conservative, the current political climate has shifted his audience to being predominantly conservative. He emphasizes that his appeal extends beyond typical conservative circles, citing his appearances on shows like Jon Stewart's and David Letterman's, where he garnered respect despite differing political views.

• Notable Quote:
  Bill O'Reilly [03:38]: "I think that I have a broader appeal. But I agree with you that a lot of people think that I'm some kind of conservative ideologue."

3. Upcoming "Three Americans Live" Event

Stephen A. Smith introduces the upcoming event, "Three Americans Live," featuring himself, Bill O'Reilly, and Chris Cuomo. They discuss the objectives of the event, aiming to blend diverse audiences into a single, engaging dialogue without the usual partisan divides.

O'Reilly expresses his desire to move away from tribalism, advocating for robust debate and diverse viewpoints. He shares a personal anecdote about attending a predominantly black concert where he received a warm reception, illustrating his vision of an inclusive America.

• Notable Quote:
  Bill O'Reilly [09:52]: "I don't want tribalism in this country. Tribalism is a weakness, not a strength."

4. The Feasibility of Donald Trump’s Third Term

Stephen A. Smith brings up Steve Bannon's recent statement suggesting Donald Trump might run for a third term in 2028. He challenges O'Reilly to explain why he dismisses this possibility.

O'Reilly firmly addresses the constitutional limitations, explaining that the U.S. Constitution prohibits a president from serving more than two terms. He critiques Bannon's assertion as a mere provocation aimed at unsettling opponents without any realistic basis.

• Notable Quotes:
  Bill O'Reilly [12:00]: "Because in the Constitution, it says you can't do it."
  Stephen A. Smith [12:00]: "When pressed by Cuomo that Trump is termed out, Bannon said the team is developing ways to elect Trump a third time."

5. Elon Musk’s Role in the Trump Administration

The discussion shifts to Elon Musk's unprecedented role as a chief advisor in President Trump's administration. Stephen A. Smith questions the appropriateness and potential implications of granting Musk such access.

O'Reilly shares his neutral stance on Musk, acknowledging his admiration for Musk's achievements, such as the successful mission to bring astronauts back from space. He underscores the importance of methodical government downsizing and expresses cautious optimism about Musk's impact, while also highlighting his own limited personal knowledge of Musk.

• Notable Quote:
  Bill O'Reilly [16:56]: "I admire Musk's success. Everybody should. He brought those astronauts down and the media didn't give him nearly as much credit. That was a brilliant, brilliant operation to get those two astronauts down and Musk was behind that."

6. Federal Debt and Government Downsizing

Stephen A. Smith raises concerns about the United States' escalating federal debt, currently at $36 trillion, questioning the culpability of political parties and the efficacy of Trump's administration in addressing this issue.

O'Reilly responds by attributing responsibility to both major political parties, criticizing them for vote-buying scandals and excessive spending. He advocates for precise government cuts to eliminate waste and emphasizes the necessity of reducing the national debt to prevent economic collapse.

• Notable Quotes:
  Stephen A. Smith [23:08]: "When you think about our $37 trillion debt, who's most culpable for that? Bill O'Reilly."
  Bill O'Reilly [24:36]: "All of them. I mean, vote buying is just a scandal. We'll give you this, we'll give you that..."

7. Critique of Political Approaches and Media Influence

The conversation touches on the inefficacy of both Democratic and Republican parties in managing federal finances, with O'Reilly condemning the Democratic push towards socialist policies and the Republican reluctance to curb spending. He criticizes the corporate media for their favoritism towards progressive figures like Bernie Sanders and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, despite their socialist leanings.

• Notable Quote:
  Bill O'Reilly [26:33]: "Sanders is 83, so he's not going to do anything. Ocasio Cortez is a socialist, hardcore, maybe a communist... I don't think Americans want that kind of oppressive government."

8. The Future of Political Discourse and Upcoming Event Expectations

As the interview nears its conclusion, Stephen A. Smith inquires about the anticipated outcomes of the "Three Americans Live" event. O'Reilly expresses excitement about fostering genuine dialogue and humor, aiming for an authentic and memorable experience for attendees. He emphasizes the importance of presenting unfiltered perspectives without pretense.

• Notable Quotes:
  Bill O'Reilly [27:54]: "We're going to have a 2 hour, 15 minute show that you remember the rest of your life."
  Stephen A. Smith [28:53]: "The suit that you have on now looks pretty sharp... you're gonna have to do better Sunday."

9. Concluding Remarks and Final Thoughts

The interview wraps up with mutual respect between Smith and O'Reilly. They acknowledge each other's authenticity and commitment to truthful discourse. O'Reilly expresses confidence in the success of their collaborative event and looks forward to engaging with the audience.

• Notable Quote:
  Bill O'Reilly [29:56]: "So Cuomo and Stephen A. They're not phonies. Me, it's almost horrifying. I'm the way I am."

Conclusion

This episode of The Stephen A. Smith Show offers a comprehensive dialogue between Stephen A. Smith and Bill O'Reilly, navigating through critical political landscapes, personal insights, and future endeavors. The conversation sheds light on O'Reilly's perspectives on presidential term limits, administrative decisions, federal debt management, and the state of political media. Additionally, it highlights their collaborative efforts to foster inclusive and meaningful discourse through the upcoming "Three Americans Live" event.

Notable Timestamped Quotes:

• Stephen A. Smith [01:10]: Introduction of Bill O'Reilly.
• Bill O'Reilly [03:38]: Discussing his broader appeal beyond conservative labels.
• Bill O'Reilly [09:52]: Advocating against tribalism in America.
• Bill O'Reilly [12:00]: Addressing constitutional limitations on presidential terms.
• Bill O'Reilly [16:56]: Neutral stance on Elon Musk's achievements.
• Stephen A. Smith [23:08]: Questioning culpability for federal debt.
• Bill O'Reilly [26:33]: Critiquing progressive politicians and media favoritism.
• Bill O'Reilly [27:54]: Expectations for "Three Americans Live."
• Bill O'Reilly [29:56]: Affirming authenticity alongside hosts.

This summary encapsulates the key discussions and insights from the episode, providing a clear and comprehensive overview for listeners and non-listeners alike.