Bill O’Reilly recently criticized the “woke movement,” calling it “anti-American” and harmful to the country. Speaking on NewsNation’s On Balance, O’Reilly argued that the movement is predatory, punishing those it targets through accusations.
He expressed concern over the growing influence of “woke” ideology, which he believes undermines American values.
The term “woke” has become a focal point in the political debate, particularly among Republican figures. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has defined “woke” as the belief that there are systemic injustices in American society and a need to address them.
In a 2022 speech, DeSantis declared, “We reject woke ideology… We will never surrender to the woke agenda,” emphasizing his stance against it as part of his political appeal.
The term gained widespread attention in the wake of George Floyd’s murder, evolving into a symbol of awareness regarding cultural diversity and social inequality.
However, critics like O’Reilly and former President Donald Trump have used it more negatively, often associating it with excessive political correctness.
Trump’s administration, in particular, targeted “woke” influences, with appointed Cabinet members pledging to remove such ideologies from federal policies.
O’Reilly also took aim at MSNBC, accusing the network of damaging the NBC News brand irreparably, particularly in light of its significant audience decline since the 2024 election.
He stated that while he had no concrete evidence to support his claim, he firmly believed that MSNBC’s reputation could not recover from the damage.