California Dreamin'
The Brand Brief 6.4.26: Shawn Ryan, Elton John, Bari Weiss, Spencer Pratt, James Talarico, and Scott Bessent
Actionable media intel: 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…
1,188 words | 5 minute read | Written to be skimmable (11+ hours of media covered in The Brand Brief)
What Matters: The Golden State appeal
New Media Voices: Shawn Ryan, Bari Weiss, and Adam Carolla
Leading FOX: California results and blockbuster flops
Trending: Trump and California
What the Right is Writing: Iran, Spanberger, and fraud
✍️ WHAT MATTERS AND WHERE WE’RE GOING…
Nathan’s quick take on where we’re headed…
Part II: Conservative media loves California (Part I: Why we tilt west).
Spencer Pratt and Steve Hilton have become media stars on the right for exposing the insanity of left-wing Golden State leadership. Republicans might not win the LA mayoral office or the governor’s mansion in Sacramento, but they will pull in a massive raw vote total.
The math is simple: California has more Republicans - meaning more conservative listeners and viewers - than any other state in the union. Plus, Cali Dems are simply insane. - NRB
What do you think of The Brand Brief? Let us know.
🎙️ NEW MEDIA VOICES
The Megyn Kelly Show - 6/3
Kelly shames California’s slow vote counting process, holding out hope Steve Hilton and Spencer Pratt stay ahead
She reacts to Bari Weiss’ recent firing of Scott Pelley amidst CBS management changes and declining ratings
Guest Adam Carolla gives his thoughts on celebrity involvement in political issues, such as by fellow comedian Jimmy Kimmel
Kelly addresses the racial dynamics behind the murder of 18-year-old UK citizen Henry Nowak and the public’s reaction to crime narratives
The Ben Shapiro Show - 6/3
Shapiro describes Scott Pelley’s firing by Bari Weiss as a loss of institutional control by the left, celebrates Nick Bilton’s appointment as executive producer of 60 Minutes
He looks into the personal issues of Democrat primary winner Adam Hamawy and the radical views of Darrializa Avila Chevalier
Shapiro argues Bernie Sanders and Ro Khanna are playing pivotal roles in the progressive transformation of Democrats
He claims Megyn Kelly and Shawn Ryan, players in the New Right, are actually just the New Left
The Michael Knowles Show - 6/3
Knowles expresses outrage at the stabbing of 18-year-old Henry Nowak by a 23-year-old Punjabi man, body cam footage shows the police ignoring Nowak bleeding out
He draws parallels between Nowak’s situation and the case of George Floyd, arguing allegations of racial slurs and claims of self-defense from the attacker led to the police’s negligence toward Nowak
Knowles reacts to recent interactions between President Trump and Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu, and escalating tensions in Lebanon
He gives his general thoughts on the declining birth rate and the impact of government policies on marriage
Tony Kinnett Cast - 6/3
Kinnett connects the tragic murder of Henry Nowak to failures of the British police in addressing rising crime linked to immigration, celebrating figures like Nigel Farage calling for political action
He argues the UK’s Labour Party and America’s Democrats have been implicit by ignoring migrant crime, particularly regarding Pakistani rape gangs
Kinnett encourages citizens to rise up against injustice, thanking prominent figures like Elon Musk and Pierre Poilievre for joining the conversation
Allie Beth Stuckey’s “Relatable” - 6/3
As Ken Paxton faces off against James Talarico, Stuckey expresses concerns about the latter’s progressive views
She condemns Talarico’s association with a church that supports Planned Parenthood and gay marriage
Stuckey also questions Paxton’s personal moral failings, but also his lawsuits against the NCAA regarding transgender minors
Her brother Justin Simmons, US Attorney for the Western District of Texas, gives his thoughts on border security and immigration
📺 LEADING FOX NEWS
The Five
Katie Porter concedes in the California gubernatorial primary, taking fifth place
Karen Bass proceeds to the LA mayoral runoff, while Spencer Pratt and Nithya Raman compete for second in the primary
President Trump describes James Talarico as “worse” than Graham Platner, The Atlantic has to teach Talarcio how to talk sports
Star Wars Director Tony Gilroy tries to compare President Trump to the Empire, meanwhile The Mandalorian and Grogu flops at the box office
A survey finds 52% of college graduates regret their degrees
FOX & Friends
Republican governor candidate Steve Hilton says there’s “no excuse” for California’s prolonged ballot counting
AOC defends New Jersey candidate with ties to terrorism, Democrats refuse to disavow Graham Platner
President Trump mentions peace talks progress, Israel and Lebanon agree to a ceasefire, House votes to curb executive wartime powers, CEO Jamshid Ghomi has been charged with supplying equipment to Iran
UK teen Henry Nowak’s murder has sparked protests across the country
Knicks win the NBA Finals Game 1 by one point
Ohio State Auditor Keith Faber is interviewed on Medicaid fraud
College graduates boo at AI mentioned in commencement speeches, fearing the loss of their entry level jobs
🍿 TRENDING AND POUNCING
Tomorrow’s news today…
Bessent: Your son’s largest investment position was Rick’s Cabaret. Did your son and Epstein talk about poll dancing? [X, Price]
British police seem a lot tougher on ordinary English people than they ever were on grooming gangs or the people murdering Brits. [X, De Lorraine]
🗞️ WHAT THE RIGHT IS WRITING
FOX News Digital
President Trump announces pick for next attorney general [FOX News]
US announces breakthrough deal between Israel and Lebanon [FOX News]
Spencer Pratt surges after angry voters send message [FOX News]
Breitbart
Post-Iran War Economic Boom Could Set Stage for Revival of Washington Agreement on Kosovo [Breitbart]
Elton John Urges Queers to Fight Political ‘Hostility’ During Pride Month [Breitbart]
Carville: Democrat Talarico Must ‘Deal’ with Past Weird Statements [Breitbart]
Democrat Who Worked with Al-Qaeda-Linked Group Wins NJ Primary [Breitbart]
Wall Street Journal Editorials
Bill Pulte and the Too Deep State [WSJ Ed]
November Portents From the Primaries [WSJ Ed]
The Woke Murder of Henry Nowak [WSJ Ed]
Trump Talks, Iran Escalates [WSJ Ed]
New York Post
Victim of vile antisemitic attack in NYC relives horrific moment hair was ripped out by maniac screaming: ‘Jews are eating kids’ [NYP]
Why Trump isn’t rushing back into war with Iran — despite Tehran’s provocations [NYP]
Mamdani shuttering homeless drop-in center, sending people onto the streets amid a spiraling crisis [NYP]
Washington Free Beacon
‘Moderate’ Abigail Spanberger Taps Soros-Tied Activist Who Says She’s ‘Self-Conscious’ About Her ‘Whiteness’ To Serve on Virginia Criminal Justice Board [WFB]
Washington Reporter
Trump-Vance task force on fraud has overwhelming support, poll finds [Reporter]
NEED HELP NAVIGATING CONSERVATIVE MEDIA?
On Brand Strategies can assist you in getting booked on shows, placing op-eds, and navigating the conservative media. Learn more at OnBrandStrategies.com.