From Clinton to Weiner to Swalwell
The Brand Brief 4.14.26: Jesus, Eric Swalwell, Justin Bieber, Hasan Piker, Lena Dunham, Pope Leo, Graham Platner, Tom Steyer, Joy Behar, and Ruben Gallego
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…
1,544 words | 7 minute read | Written to be skimmable (14+ hours of media covered in The Brand Brief)
What Matters: Democrat sex scandals
New Media Voices: Eric Swalwell, Jesus, and Viktor Orban
Leading FOX: McDonald’s, Justin Bieber, and Hasan Piker
Trending: Friends of Swalwell
What the Right is Writing: Greece, Cuba, and Iran
✍️ WHAT MATTERS AND WHERE WE’RE GOING…
Nathan’s quick take on where we’re headed…
The history of conservative media and Democrat sex scandals can’t be told without the other. As a long-standing left-wing cartoon villain, Eric Swalwell provided the perfect opportunity for the right to run a victory lap this week.
From the “vast right-wing conspiracy” of the Lewinsky era to the Andrew Breitbart-led takedown of Anthony Weiner, conservatives have perfected the playbook for Democrat scandal.
The stench of Swalwell will no longer linger in the halls of Congress. - NRB
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🎙️ NEW MEDIA VOICES
The Megyn Kelly Show - 4/13
Kelly and guest Brandon Weichert criticize the Navy blockage of the Strait of Hormuz as risky, following failed negotiations with Iran
She argues President Trump has been offensive to Christians due to his recent post depicting himself as a Christ-like healer, and for attacking Pope Leo XIV’s comments concerning war
Citing a poll showing 36% approval of the Iran conflict, Kelly argues Republicans must make a drastic shift back toward domestic policy to maintain the House and Senate majority
Kelly details the allegations against Rep. Eric Swalwell, she suggests Democrat insiders timed the revelations to clear the field for a Tom Steyer endorsement
The Ben Shapiro Show - 4/13
Shapiro applauds Trump’s blockade strategy against Iran, criticizes the “Bipartisan Grievance Party” for engaging in media demoralization
He denounces Pope Leo XIV’s comments on war, noting President Trump’s public rebukes ranging from crime to global affairs
In light of allegations against Rep. Eric Swalwell, Shapiro condemns what he calls a one-sided “believe all women” standard and calls karma after years of Swalwell making fun of Shapiro
He responds to the end of Viktor Orbán’s leadership in Hungary, the rise of Peter Magyar, and Maine Senate candidate Graham Platner’s Nazi tattoo
The Michael Knowles Show - 4/13
Knowles draws parallels between Rep. Eric Swalwell to previous scandals involving Al Franken and Bill Clinton, relating it back to the vicious internal politics of Democrats
He reacts to Trump’s recent conflict with Pope Leo, and his Truth Social post depicting himself as a Christ-like figure, calling it blasphemous
Knowles discusses the unexpected defeat of Viktor Orbán in the Hungarian election and the subsequent reactions from the global left
He explores the divergence in birth rates between conservative and liberal women
The Isabel Brown Show - 4/13
Brown speculates the timing of the allegations against Rep. Eric Swalwell, coinciding with his lead in the California gubernatorial race, was a politically convenient move to force his withdrawal
She strongly criticizes the Democrat establishment, including Sen. Adam Schiff and corporate media, for allegedly knowing about his predatory behavior for years
Brown condemns California’s legislative actions, such as “compassionate release” laws for their undue leniency towards sex offenders
After Party with Emily Jashinsky - 4/13
Jashinsky is joined by Dave Smith, comedian and host of “Part Of The Problem” Podcast, to discuss the ongoing war with Iran and dissenting voices among podcasters who supported President Trump in 2024
They also discuss backlash over a controversial Truth Social post by the president that appeared to depict him as Jesus
They condemn Rep. Eric Swalwell’s sexual assault allegations
Smith reacts to the cringeworthy appearance by Justin Trudeau and Katy Perry at Coachella, and Islamophobia accusations against Sabrina Carpenter
Jashinsky rounds out the show with a look at Lena Dunham’s new publicity tour as she reflects on backlash during her “Girls” era.
📺 LEADING FOX NEWS
The Five
President Trump doordashed McDonald’s to promote no tax on tips, then threatened Iran on the doorstep
The House Ethics Committee is opening an investigation into sexual assault allegations made against Rep. Eric Swalwell, after he announced both the end of his gubernatorial campaign and his resignation from Congress
MI Sen. Elissa Slotkin distances herself from radical streamer Hasan Piker, unlike candidate Abdul El-Sayed
A machete-wielding man attacked three on the New York subway, journalist criticizes the NYPD for using lethal force
Some criticize Justin Bieber for his “lazy” Coachella performance, while others argue it’s a throwback to his start on YouTube
FOX & Friends
Both Reps. Eric Swalwell and Tony Gonzalez announce their resignations, Rep. Anna Paulina Luna says there could be more allegations coming
As the U.S. Navy blockades the Strait of Hormuz, oil prices near $100 a barrel
A TPUSA reporter was attacked at a Minnesota anti-ICE rally
A man in Fairfield, CA broke into a man’s house during a potential schizophrenic episode, the homeowner hit him with a shovel
An American woman is still missing in the Bahamas
After Meta and YouTube were ruled liable in the social media addiction trial, Roblox is adding additional child safety mechanisms
The White House celebrates “no tax on tips” with a food delivery straight to the Oval Office, DoorDash Grandma is interviewed
Hinge reports a 75% increase in the word whimsy in people’s profiles
Anna Kepner’s stepbrother has been charged in her murder aboard a Carnival cruise ship last fall
Gang suspects will be arraigned today after a 7-month old baby was murdered by a stray bullet meant for her father
TX AG Ken Paxton is opening an investigation into Lululemon over PFAS in their clothing
FOX Newsroom
President Trump threatens a 50% tariff on China if they aid Iran, U.S. hosting Israel-Lebanon peace talks today, more than 15 Navy boats are blockading the Strait of Hormuz
Reps. Eric Swalwell and Tony Gonzalez have announced their resignations over sexual assault allegations
Socialist streamer Hasan Piker denounces Republicans as terrorists, says even Hamas is better than Israel
California, New Jersey, and New York have the most business regulations, while Iowa, Kansas, and South Dakota have the least amount
The missing vacationing woman’s husband Brian Hooker refuses to answer media questions, released from jail
A Fairfield, CA man claiming to be a “wizard detective,” screaming on the Ring camera, broke into a man’s home and so the homeowner hit him with a shovel
VP JD Vance and Erika Kirk are coming to the University of Georgia for a TPUSA event
AG Todd Blanche reacts to pro-life activist Mark Houck winning a settlement after the Biden DOJ raided his home, and Melania Trump’s disparagement of claims tying her to Jeffrey Epstein
🍿 TRENDING AND POUNCING
Tomorrow’s news today…
Legal entries at the border down 99.9%. This deserves way more attention. [X, End Wokeness]
The View’s Joy Behar calls Jesus a “narcissistic” [X, Fondacaro]
Ilhan Omar requested a $1 million earmark for a “substance abuse clinic” that was actually a restaurant run by Somalis [X, LibsofTikTok]
🗞️ WHAT THE RIGHT IS WRITING
FOX News Digital
JD Vance says the ball is ‘in Iran’s court’ after Pakistan peace talks stall [FOX News]
Fresh Iran-US talks could happen Thursday before ceasefire expires [FOX News]
Reps Swalwell, Gonzales announce resignations from Congress [FOX News]
Breitbart
Greek Official Reveals How Trump, Guilfoyle Severed China’s ‘Dragon’s Head’ Port Advantage in ‘Gateway to Europe’ [Breitbart]
‘Locked and Loaded’ -- Trump: U.S. Navy Blockades Strait of Hormuz [Breitbart]
Trump Slams Pope Leo XIV: ‘Weak on Crime’ and ‘Terrible for Foreign Policy’ [Breitbart]
CENTCOM Confirms U.S. Navy to Block Ships Entering, Exiting Iranian Ports [Breitbart]
Wall Street Journal Editorials
Playing National Security Roulette [WSJ Ed]
Democracy Lives in Europe, After All [WSJ Ed]
Los Angeles Schools Can’t Do Math [WSJ Ed]
A Tax Day Lesson for Booker and Van Hollen [WSJ Ed]
New York Post
Bleary-eyed Eric Swalwell wears a robe, parties with ‘yacht girls’ during ‘hush hush’ St. Tropez blow-out, wild video shows [NYP]
Cops’ chilling warning for a bloody summer as depravity of hellish LA street takeovers revealed: ‘Rapes, shootings, murders’ [NYP]
Washington Free Beacon
UNC Officials Accused of Not Protecting Students or Defending Free Speech After April Fools’ ICE Article, ‘Sorority Girl’ Skit Lead to Death Threats, Campus Uproar [WFB]
Washington Reporter
Roy Cooper abandons Eric Swalwell, rejects Remedy PAC’s support after Michael Whatley’s criticisms [Reporter]
Danielle Alvarez: The Left must stop legitimizing Cuba’s brutal regime [Reporter]
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