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The Brand Brief 12.12.25: Nicki Minaj, Gavin Newsom, University of Michigan football, Erika Kirk, Jeffrey Epstein, and Sean Duffy
Actionable media intel to keep you ahead: The Brand Brief delivers a daily snapshot of the conservative media ecosystem - FOX News, podcasts, and more. | Brought to you by On Brand Strategies | Written by Carly Moran and Nathan Brand
📣 Driving the Conversation…
1,670 words | 7 minute read | Written to be skimmable (13+ hours of media covered in The Brand Brief)
What Matters: SuperBased
New Media Voices: Erika Kirk and Gavin Newsom
Leading FOX: Minnesota fraud, Newsom, and U of Michigan coach
Trending and Pouncing: Tim Walz fraud scandal
What the Right is Writing: Epstein and the Michigan coach
✍️ WHAT MATTERS AND WHERE WE’RE GOING…
Nathan’s quick take on where we’re headed…
Conservative media icon Nicki Minaj?
The pop superstar slammed Gavin Newsom today for a now viral clip (which we highlighted yesterday) of him saying he “wants to see trans kids.” The clip is as weird as it sounds, and Nicki didn’t hold back:
Imagine being the guy running on wanting to see trans kids. Haha. Not even a trans ADULT would run on that. Normal adults wake up & think they want to see HEALTHY, SAFE, HAPPY kids. … Not Gav … The Gav Nots … GavOUT … Send in the next guy, I’m bored.
The post follows her friendly banter with JD Vance online, appearing with Ambassador Mike Waltz at the UN, and an extended interview with Harris Faulkner on FOX News yesterday to discuss the killing of Nigerian Christians.
Nigerian Christians, protecting kids, and Vance memes - all in one week! Welcome, Nicki. - NRB
I would love to hear your feedback - survey here.
🎙️ NEW MEDIA VOICES
The Megyn Kelly Show - 12/11
Kelly criticises TIME Magazine for selecting “architects of AI” as the Person of the Year, arguing on behalf of Charlie Kirk’s influence
Erika Kirk publicly addressed for the first time conspiracy theories surrounding her husband’s death on FOX this week
California Gov. Gavin Newsom promotes his new book as a story of his modest upbringing, despite growing up with the wealthy Getty family
Kelly is joined by the RealClearPolitics hosts to cover MSNBC show host Rachel Maddow winning this year’s Walter Cronkite Award
Guest Doug Brunt promotes his book The Lost Empire of Emanuel Nobel, the story of a Swedish oil baron lost to the Russian Revolution
The Benny Show - 12/12
Johnson shares his experience at the White House Christmas party, says he was encouraged to see Trump in high spirits
Johnson shames anyone propping up conspiracies against Erika Kirk, encourages conservative to focus on Kirk’s positive legacy like national leaders professing the Gospel in front of millions
As the Tyler Robinson case drags on, Johnson warns against the trial becoming “a circus” like OJ Simpson’s
Guest Rep. Greg Steube discusses proof that Rep. Ilhan Omar did marry her brother out of immigration fraud
The FBI charges Tashella Sheri Amore Dickerson for using Oklahoma BLM funds for vacations, shopping, six homes, a car, and food delivery
Guest street interviewer Shane Ginsberg gives his thoughts on Indiana RINOs rejecting the state house redistricting map
The Ben Shapiro Show - 12/11
The U.S. military seizes a Venezuelan oil tanker with ties to Iran
Shapiro says Trump’s threats against Venezuela and Colombia represent establishing dominance over the Western Hemisphere
Shapiro expresses concern over conceding to Russia in the War in Ukraine peace deal, easing export controls on Nvidia chips to China
The Federal Reserve cut interest rates by 0.25%, Shapiro argues tariffs are spiking inflation and debates the extension of Obamacare subsidies
Trump denies any plans to fire DHS Sec. Kristi Noem, instead praises the closed border, $1 million “Gold Card” visas, fight against Somali fraud
Netflix and Paramount continue their acquisition battle for Warner Bros. Discovery
C.J. Pearson’s Family Matters - 12/11
Guest Josh Williams, an Ohio state rep running for Congress, shares his story of earning three college degrees and becoming a professor and attorney despite growing up without his dad, being disabled for years
Williams, as State House Majority Whip, hopes to replace the 9th district’s career politician and Democrat Marcy Kaptur
While Williams says he has never faced discrimination from a fellow Republican, he has dealt with prejudice from white liberals
Some of Williams’ policies include workforce development, supporting pro-life causes, school choice, and reversing EV mandates
Williams hopes his message resonates with inner-city Toledo, and cites role models like Reps. Byron Donalds and Jim Jordan as his inspiration
The Matt Walsh Show - 12/11
Walsh argues filmmakers like documentarian Ken Burns are rewriting history and inverting traditional hero narratives
Using the 2021 Cruella remake of 101 Dalmatians, and the upcoming Netflix Cinderella retelling Steps, Walsh warns against humanizing villains
Movies like Wicked and Maleficent use children’s naivety, Walsh says, to remake good vs. evil distinctions, confusing their moral development
Anti-hero messaging promotes the idea that wickedness is “thrust upon” people due to their circumstances rather than a choice
Walsh references his love of Gaston from Beauty and the Beast, arguing in a traditional story he would be the hero
📺 LEADING FOX NEWS
A look inside the FOX editorial decision-making…
The Five
California Gov. Gavin Newsom describes Trump as “the most destructive president ever,” says he “wants to see trans kids”
Homeland Security Sec. Kristi Noem had some intense standoffs with Democrat lawmakers during her hearing on domestic terror threats
Illinois Gov. J.D. Pritzker says he’ll fight to end ICE raids at courthouses
Jimmy Kimmel tries to create rumors about Trump’s health
Senate-hopeful Democrat Rep. Haley Stevens calls for articles of impeachment against HHS Sec. RFK, Jr.
FOX & Friends
Trump predicts billions in investments in at the WH Christmas party
A Democrat congressman called the National Guard shooting an “unfortunate accident”
911 dispatch audio reveals the moment before former U of Michigan coach arrest
Erika Kirk requests a courtroom cameras in the legal battle, Tyler Robinson shows zero remorse
School groups sues NY AG Letitia James for her trans student policy
Abrego Garcia goes to court, NYC mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani says giving tips on ICE’s whereabouts is “an American thing to do”
Yesterday, former Sen. Kyrsten Sinema and Sec. of Interior Doug Burgum discussed the importance of AI investments
The White House is weighing seizing more Venezuelan oil tankers
Ukrainian President Zelenskyy offers Trump a revised peace deal
Guest DNI Tulsi Gabbard says their reviewing all 23,000 Afghans who entered under Biden
Investigations into the Minnesota fraud case reveal Somalis spent Covid assistance on travel, luxury cars, and mansions
Tennis star Aryna Sabalenka said on Piers Morgan show that biological men should not compete in women’s sports
FOX Newsroom
Erika Kirk emphasizes the need for cameras in the Tyler Robinson trial as he made his first court appearance yesterday
Disgraced former U of Michigan football coach to appear in court today over sexual harassment, stalking charges
A Maryland electrical transmission line sparks a legal battle over family farm land
Guest former Speaker Kevin McCarthy talks about the failed healthcare vote, 2026 redistricting battles
A new proposal in Massachusetts seeks to reverse the state’s recreational marijuana legalization
Young men are being targeted in online “sextortion” scams
There have now been two stabbings on the Charlotte, NC light rail by repeat violent offenders, both in court facing federal charges
Walmart seeks to remove all artificial food dyes by 2027
Democrat strategist James Carville says Senate hopeful Rep. Jasmine Crockett “tends to focus on herself,” as Michelle Obama says “old leaders” in the party are staying in power too long
A BLM Oklahoma City leader has been charged with money laundering for using tens of thousands toward vacations, luxury homes
Sec. of Transportation Sean Duffy says 53% of New York state CDLs were issued illegally
Today marks Day 8 of the Luigi Mangione pretrial evidence hearing
VP J.D. Vance pokes fun at the 6-7 meme in a recent tweet
The Dept. of Homeland Security announces 2.5 million illegals have left the country in the first year of Trump’s presidency
Following the U.S. military takeover of a Venezuelan oil tanker, Trump advises Colombia to “wise up” on drug trade
Guest. Sen. Majority Leader John Thune breaks down fraud abuses under Biden’s Covid-era Obamacare bonuses
The closing arguments in suspected murderer Brian Walshe’s trial are today
🍿 TRENDING AND POUNCING
Tomorrow’s news today…
Q: Do you want Somali leaders to speak out against the fraud?.. Walz: The majority of this crime is committed by white men. [X, Daugherty]
Illegal immigrant truck driver arrested for killing Washington resident [X, Melugin]
How the Grinch (Nearly) Stole Christmas: Student Aid Edition [X, Sec. McMahon]
US Attorney tells CBS that the highest levels of MN government are responsible for the fraud [X, RR47]
🗞️ WHAT THE RIGHT IS WRITING
FOX News Digital
Disturbing allegations surface in chilling 911 audio after Michigan coach’s firing [FOX News]
Harris, Newsom, Pritzker take center stage at crucial summit [FOX News]
Accused Charlie Kirk assassin tries to hide from publicity [FOX News]
Breitbart
Nicki Minaj Blasts Newsom Saying He Wants to ‘See Trans Kids’ [Breitbart]
Democrat Files Impeachment Articles Against Robert F. Kennedy [Breitbart]
Data: 81% of Somali Households in Minnesota Are on Taxpayer-Funded Welfare [Breitbart]
Wall Street Journal Editorials
The Real Reason Europe Is ‘Decaying’ [WSJ Ed]
Trump Puts the Oil Squeeze on Maduro [WSJ Ed]
New York’s Lack of AI Intelligence [WSJ Ed]
Another $12 Billion for a Tariff Bailout [WSJ Ed]
NY Post Exclusives
Woody Allen, Ex-Prince Andrew, Bill Gates, Clinton, Trump featured in new trove of Epstein photos [NYP]
Hidden horrors Jeffrey Epstein’s antique desk kept inside NYC home heads to auction — latest in secret sale that has netted $100K [NYP]
Washington Free Beacon
Yes, Ilhan Omar Married Her Brother [WFB]
NEED HELP NAVIGATING CONSERVATIVE MEDIA?
On Brand Strategies would love to help you navigate the conservative media ecosystem. Learn more at OnBrandStrategies.com, or connect with Nathan (Nathan@OnBrandStrategies.com) and Carly (Carly@OnBrandStrategies.com).
