Feuds vs focus
The Brand Brief 3.16.26: Megyn Kelly, Luke Grimes, David Spade, Strait of Hormuz, Michigan synagogue, Susie Wiles, the Oscars, and Joy Reid
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
đŁ Driving the ConversationâŚ
1,392 words | 6 minute read | Written to be skimmable (17+ hours of media covered in The Brand Brief)
What Matters: Conservative civil war?
New Media Voices: Rogan, Von, and Ryan
Leading FOX: War updates
Trending: Susie Wiles, Joy Reid, and CENTCOM
What the Right is Writing: Trumpâs priceless reaction
âď¸ WHAT MATTERS AND WHERE WEâRE GOINGâŚ
Nathanâs quick take on where weâre headedâŚ
A viral article by Matt Van Swol is circulating today on X criticizing feuds among conservative new media voices. The 2,000-word piece argues the right is unfocused and prone to bickering (largely on social media).
Where he is right: conservative voices differ on two issues: who belongs in the tent and the conflict in Iran. He is correct that if a podcaster is telling you to vote for Democrats, that person is not a conservative (The Brand Brief doesnât include those shows). And on the Iran conflict, while new media voices differ, conservative voters overwhelmingly trust Trumpâs handling of it.
Where Van Swol is wrong: Much of this debate has played out on X rather than in the podcast episodes ordinary listeners hear, meaning the magnitude of the feud is overblown.
Final point: Conservative media has historically flourished by exposing the left: talk radio, Drudge, and FOX News in the â90s-â00s; Breitbart and Daily Wire in the '10s; and new media in the â20s. Itâs a good playbook to stick with.- NRB
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đď¸ NEW MEDIA VOICES
The Joe Rogan Experience
University of Austin politics chair Michael Shellenberger claims Epstein wasnât involved in intelligence operations, talks about voter ID and ICE operations
Triggernometry hosts Francis Foster and Konstantin Kisin discuss the War in Iran, the microwave weapon, and Trumpâs election trial
Author Michael Pollen shares his new book A World Appears: A Journey into Consciousness, discusses tariffs, AI, and the power of plants
âYellowstoneâ actor Luke Grimes discusses his dual career in acting and music, the challenges of touring with family life
This Past Weekend with Theo Von
Grammy-nominated musician Chris Robinson talks about the early days of the Black Crowes, his nostalgia for childhood music, and the songwriting process
In a solo episode, Von shares his upcoming movie with David Spade Busboys, his love of St. Patrickâs Day, and staying optimistic in a crazy world
The Shawn Ryan Show
Ethan Thornton, the 22âyear-old founder of Mach Industries, discusses how he went from building homemade rifles to founding a hydrogen-powered weapons business
Astronaut Butch Wilmore shares the time he was lost in space for 286 days on the International Space Station
Culture Apothecary with Alex Clark
Dr. Charlie Fagenholz explains the issue with glyphosate, and why people are getting diagnosed with POTS and histamine issues
Dr. Staci Whitman, co-founder of the Institute for Functional Dentistry, explains how your mouth health affects your entire body
The Tim Dillon Show
Dillon expresses his serious concerns about the War in Iran, influencers trapped in Dubai, Trumpâs endorsement of Jake Paul, and what Clavicular says about our world
đş LEADING FOX NEWS
FOX & Friends
Trump says the countries that get the oil should keep the Strait of Hormuz open, Israel predicts three more weeks of war, Khameneiâs son remains unseen, former Obama aide Ben Rhodes calls for primaries against Democrats who support the war
The IDF reports the Michigan synagogue assailant was the brother of a Hezbollah commander
Karoline Leavitt reports live that the US will use 172 million barrels of strategic oil reserves, says the president will sign an executive order establishing the Fraud Task Force
Multiple Iranian womenâs soccer players reject Australiaâs asylum offer after reports of their families getting attacked by the government
Cuban protesters rage against the communist government as power outages persist
The House cancels votes as the mid-Atlantic braces for a powerful storm that could create tornados from Washington, DC to South Carolina
As DHS faces its third shutdown in six months, airline travelers experience multiple-hour long lines at TSA
A fugitive killed by Dallas SWAT officers was a former security guard for Rep. Jasmine Crockett
Team USA wins the World Baseball Classic
Michael B. Jordan and Jessie Buckley win their first Oscars
Gen Z is seeing a massive resurgence in church attendance, influencer Bryce Crawford is interviewed
Nicotine pouch usage is surging among young people as products like Zyns are used as an energy boost or to quit vaping
UFC fighter Michael Chandler is interviewed on his upcoming fight on the White House lawn for America250
FOX Newsroom
CENTCOM Commander Brad Cooper says Iranâs missile capabilities are nearly destroyed, IDF begins ground operations in Lebanon, Trump calls on allies to secure Strait of Hormuz, more than 7,000 targets hit including on Kharg Island, Ayatollahâs son was reportedly weary of taking power
The IDF confirms the Michigan synagogue attacker was the brother of a Hezbollah commander
Sen. Eric Schmitt explains national security concerns, hours-long lines for TSA thanks to the DHS shutdown, Airlines for America President Chris Sununu reacts
Guest Ben Shapiro reacts to Rep. Ro Khanna claiming itâs fine for Iran to obtain nukes as long as they canât strike the U.S.
Five of the seven Iranian womenâs soccer players are rejecting asylum after reports of their families being harmed for their protests
After a weekend of violent protests in Cuba, Trump says the communist nation could be next for the Donroe Doctrine
After pulling a gun on officers, Rep. Jasmine Crockettâs former security officer was killed by the Dallas SWAT team
đż TRENDING AND POUNCING
Tomorrowâs news todayâŚ
Trump announces Susie Wiles breast cancer diagnosis, praises her ongoing work [X, Leavitt]
Security lines in Fort Lauderdale stretched out the door this morning as Democrats continue to force our patriotic TSA officers to work without pay â for the third time in nearly six months. [X, DHS]
Joy Reid: America is a Christian form of Iran & women may have been better off there [X, EndWokeness]
Democrat Senator John Fetterman says he will vote to confirm Senator Markwayne Mullin as DHS Secretary. [X, RNC Research]
đď¸ WHAT THE RIGHT IS WRITING
FOX News Digital
Iranian top official shares why he thinks President Trump started attacking his country [FOX News]
All the winners and losers of Oscars 2026 [FOX News]
Man accused of crucifying pastor begs judge for death penalty [FOX News]
Breitbart
Hollywood Celebrities Protest Trump, ICE, and Israel on Oscars Red Carpet [Breitbart]
Trump: âMany Countriesâ Will Send Warships to Patrol the Strait of Hormuz [Breitbart]
Oscars 2026: Jimmy Kimmel Bashes CBS for Canceling Colbert Show [Breitbart]
Lee: Planned Vote on SAVE Act to Show Who Is Fighting for Secure Elections [Breitbart]
Wall Street Journal Editorials
The Real Nuclear History of Iran [WSJ Ed]
Put Chuck Schumer on TSA Duty [WSJ Ed]
Andy Beshear Bows to the Teachers Union [WSJ Ed]
A Judicial Climate Science Scandal [WSJ Ed]
New York Post
Trump briefed that Iranâs new supreme leader is probably gay â and president has priceless reaction [NYP]
Trump to formally name Vance chair of fraud task force â with these states in crosshairs [NYP]
Mueller probe cut corners, broke rules to âget Trump,â whistleblower claims [NYP]
Mamdani to meet with hand-picked Jewish leaders to discuss concerns â but critics fume itâs nothing more than âphoto opâ [NYP]
Washington Free Beacon
NYC Congestion Pricing Scheme Prioritizes âEnvironmental Justice Communities,â Pumps Money Into Minority Neighborhoods in What Could Be Illegal Discrimination [WFB]
Washington Reporter
Cabinet Officials, GOP Senators Chart Path to AI, Energy, and Workforce Dominance at BlackRock Summit [Reporter]
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