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The Brand Brief 5.5.26: Spencer Pratt, Marco Rubio, Gavin Newsom, Tiger Woods, Bill Maher, Blake Lively, and Hasan Piker
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…
1,466 words | 6 minute read | Written to be skimmable (12+ hours of media covered in The Brand Brief)
What Matters: Covering a movement
New Media Voices: Bongino, Tucker, and FISA
Leading FOX: LA and NYC
Trending: DJ Rubio and Trump’s workout plan
What the Right is Writing: Strait of Hormuz and 2028
✍️ WHAT MATTERS AND WHERE WE’RE GOING…
Nathan’s quick take on where we’re headed…
Covering conservative media is a tall order; covering the entire conservative movement is even tougher. Emily Brook’s The Movement newsletter does exactly that—and does it well.
Today marks one year since the launch of her weekly briefing, which provides essential insights into the right’s think tanks, advocacy groups, and key media voices driving the conversation. Balanced coverage of the American right is rare, but Emily delivers. Congrats on a year of success! - NRB
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🎙️ NEW MEDIA VOICES
The Megyn Kelly Show - 5/4
Kelly celebrates the Kentucky Derby victory of underdog Golden Tempo
Guest Emily Jashinsky analyzes Tucker Carlson’s New York Times interview, including his perceived regrets about Nick Fuentes, the media’s representation of his views, and how the “uni-party” narrative shapes public discourse
They discuss the ongoing Iran conflict, negotiation efforts, and ramifications of oil prices on the midterms
Kelly argues “mission creep” and its heavy pro-Israel stance led to the decline in viewership of The Daily Wire and its subsequent layoffs
They dive into the Blake Lively v. Justin Baldoni lawsuit, the role of media epistemology, and the power of foreign and military lobbying groups
The Ben Shapiro Show - 5/4
Shapiro announces a Daily Wire investigation into Medicaid fraud in Ohio
He defends free markets, using Spirit Airlines’ bankruptcy and the debate over government intervention to critique antitrust theory
He critiques Tucker Carlson as an anti-capitalist and demagogue, drawing comparisons to Hasan Piker’s anti-establishment viewpoints and antisemitism, explaining his broader “grievance party” theory
Shapiro supports President Trump’s firm stance against Iran’s aggression while briefly touching on AI’s societal implications
Making the Argument with Nick Freitas - 5/4
Freitas dissects ongoing controversy surrounding Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA), arguing its reauthorization poses a threat to the Fourth Amendment
He recalls abuses exposed by the Church Committee and Watergate scandal, argues the FISA court’s secrecy and near-unanimous approval could permit similar infringements
Freitas champions the Government Surveillance Reform Act, which would mandate warrants for searching American data and block agencies from acquiring info from data brokers
He criticizes Congress for not implementing adjusted safeguards, and encourages the public to develop boundaries especially with AI complicating surveillance further
The Dan Bongino Show - 5/4
Bongino praises Rudy Giuliani’s legacy as NYC mayor as he remains sick in the hospital, contrasting his “broken windows” policing and leadership during 9/11 to Zohran Mamdani’s failures
He analyzes footage from the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, explaining Secret Service protocol
Bongino criticizes the Biden Admin’s DOJ for spying on Christians and misusing prosecutorial discretion, based on new documents
He argues the media and progressives have systematically rewritten history, misrepresenting the GOP and the true nature of ideologies like national socialism and communism
After Party with Emily Jashinsky - 5/4
Jashinsky delves into America’s growing political violence, using Professor Robert Pape’s research on populist violence driven by structural changes
Jashinsky promotes Spencer Pratt’s unconventional mayoral campaign in Los Angeles, which utilizes new media to criticize existing approaches to homelessness and incumbent Mayor Karen Bass
She highlights radical Graham Platner’s run in Maine against incumbent Sen. Susan Collins, and the role of cultural issues in contemporary politics
She reacts to comedian Michael Rapaport’s recent attack on podcaster Joe Rogan for alleged antisemetic jokes, and discusses the broader debate on free speech within comedy
📺 LEADING FOX NEWS
The Five
President Trump warns Iran will be “blown off the face of the Earth” if they interfere with the Strait of Hormuz reopening, RI Sen. Jack Reed says the US is giving Iran a “more reasons to push for a nuke weapon”
CA Gov. Gavin Newsom tried to dress up as a construction worker, Bill Maher questions his record on cost of living and the train to his face
Sen. Bernie Sanders says the Democrats are unpopular because they’re not standing up for American issues
The Trump admin says Joe Biden and former Transportation Sec. Pete Buttigieg are to blame for the death of Spirit Airlines
Anti-ICE mob attacks the NYPD outside a hospital
Sec. of State Marco Rubio goes viral for DJing at a family wedding
FOX & Friends
Two U.S. Navy cruise destroyers made it through the Strait of Hormuz last night, Sec. of War Pete Hegseth gives live updates
A federal judge apologizes to the WHCD shooter for supposed mistreatment in jail, U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro fires back on X, 85% of Americans agree motivated violence is increasing
Meta faces $3.7B in penalties over New Mexico lawsuit
The MV Hondius cruise has been infected with hantavirus, three dead off the coast of West Africa
LA Mayor Karen Bass accuses opponent Spencer Pratt of “exploiting grief” of Palisades victims, despite losing his own home to the fire
Alabama and Tennessee look to join Texas, Florida in redistricting to add red seats
Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni settle their It Ends With Us lawsuit
Tiger Woods’ DUI case is back in court
Numerous popular peptides lack FDA approval
FOX Newsroom
Two American ships dodge Iranian fire in the Strait of Hormuz
The federal judge overseeing the WHCD shooting case apologized to Cole Allen for his supposed “poor treatment” in jail
NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani doubles down on his sanctuary city policy following anti-ICE attacks on the NYPD, New York gubernatorial candidate Bruce Blakeman reacts
FOX investigates hospice fraud in Los Angeles
Bret Baier shares his new book The Case for America
Five NYC locations were tagged with antisemetic vandalism, including a synagogue, Jewish community center, and private home
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signs the new redistricting map into law
Kamala Harris refuses to endorse anyone for California governor
Travel influencer Jake Rosmarin shares an emotional video trapped aboard a cruise ship infected with hantavirus off the coast of Africa
A “migration of wealth” is flooding to the South thanks to its better taxes
The suspected Palisades Fires arsonist was inspired by Luigi Mangione, Spencer Pratt condemns incumbent Mayor Karen Bass’ claims that he is using victims to promote his campaign, when he lost his own home
Starbucks CEO defends a cup of coffee costing $9 for the “premium experience”
It Ends With Us costars Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni end their lawsuit
🍿 TRENDING AND POUNCING
Tomorrow’s news today…
Your DJ name? … Marco Rubio: You’re not ready for my DJ name. [X, FOX News]
Trump teaches a group of kids the “Trump dance” [X, RR47]
LA is worth saving. Vote Spencer Pratt. [X, Curran]
🗞️ WHAT THE RIGHT IS WRITING
FOX News Digital
Trump opens Strait of Hormuz with ‘Project Freedom’ [FOX News]
Trail cam captures Special Forces-trained fugitive as feds join rural search [FOX News]
Judge apologizes to suspect accused of attempting to assassinate Trump [FOX News]
Breitbart
Breitbart News to Host Policy Event with Secretary Doug Burgum on Harnessing American Power [Breitbart]
Trump Says U.S. Will ‘Guide’ Stranded Ships Through Strait of Hormuz [Breitbart]
Trump: Iranian People Need Guns, ‘I Think They’re Getting Some’ [Breitbart]
Wall Street Journal Editorials
Iran’s Regime Ends the Cease-Fire [WSJ Ed]
Making Public Unions More Accountable [WSJ Ed]
GameStop, eBay and the Bet on Debt [WSJ Ed]
How to Make Vladimir Putin’s Year [WSJ Ed]
New York Post
The rise of the manosphere divorce: Meet the women ditching Joe Rogan- and Clavicular-influenced hubbies [NYP]
DeSantis making moves for 2028 White House bid — but will MAGA embrace Trump’s former foe? [NYP]
Massive moving memento of 9/11 reaches Long Island: ‘You can feel the weight of that day’ [NYP]
Washington Free Beacon
Georgetown ‘Islamophobia’ Initiative Required To ‘Consult’ With Qatar on Guest Speakers, University Contract With Qatari Regime Reveals [WFB]
Washington Reporter
Path clears for Rep. Andy Barr to win Senate primary [Reporter]
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