How to pass the Joe Rogan CEO test
The Brand Brief 6.23.26: Michelle Obama, Jon Ossoff, James Talarico, Brandon Johnson, Nancy Guthrie, Tyler Robinson, and Alan Greenspan
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…
1,185 words | 5 minute read | Written to be skimmable (12+ hours of media covered in The Brand Brief)
What Matters: Palmer Luckey, Alex Karp, Kamala Harris, and Jon Ossoff
New Media Voices: Obamas, reflecting pool, and home prices
Leading FOX: World Cup, Joy Reid, and the reflecting pool
Trending: Talarico, fraud, and DC beautification
What the Right is Writing: Bible in school and abortion ads
✍️ WHAT MATTERS AND WHERE WE’RE GOING…
Nathan’s quick take on where we’re headed…
We’ve often noted that new media isn’t for everyone (looking at you, Kamala Harris).
But the guys at a16z recently shared an excellent long-form media barometer: the “Joe Rogan CEO” test. The premise is simple: Are you interesting enough to sustain a raw, three-hour conversation? They point to figures like Palmer Luckey and Alex Karp as the standard—leaders compelling enough to hold down a fascinating, unscripted dialogue.
Harris ducked the interview entirely because she knew she couldn’t pass. Now, another Democrat presidential hopeful, Jon Ossoff, faces a growing chorus of “Ossoff rally truthers” spotlighting his own inability to excel under that level of unscripted scrutiny. - NRB
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🎙️ NEW MEDIA VOICES
The Megyn Kelly Show - 6/22
Kelly argues new footage proves Karmelo Anthony is guilty of killing Austin Metcalf, as it shows him stabbing him in the heart and fleeing the scene
She condemns politicians like Rep. Jasmine Crockett for claiming Anthony is the victim, says it only makes race relations worse
Kelly makes fun of Joy Reid’s attempts to connect America250 to slavery and Kamala Harris’ horrible dance moves
She reacts to the land acknowledgement at the Obama Library opening, Joe Biden wandering onstage, and Michelle Obama calling it “our” administration
The Ben Shapiro Show - 6/22
Shapiro says President Trump is utilizing “peace through strength” by warning Iran against closing the Strait of Hormuz, threatening further strikes if proxies in Lebanon continue attacks
He argues VP JD Vance appeared weak in Switzerland by waiting for late Iranian officials, praising Pakistan, getting snubbed for handshakes
Shapiro criticizes certain aspects of negotiations, like Iran walking out of talks and refusing enrichment limits
He describes Vance’s deconfliction setup and humanitarian funding as Obama-like, counterproductive
The Matt Walsh Show - 6/22
Walsh reports the national median home price is projected to reach $1 million by 2050, while even high earners struggle to buy independently
He says home sales are at decades-low levels, and mortgage interest rates haven’t lowered due to locked-in owners
Walsh argues the key drivers are urban disorder reducing usable housing supply, illegal immigration increasing housing demand, and zoning restrictions
He criticizes Baby Boomers for hoarding multiple homes, often spending their wealth instead of passing it down, and supporting NIMBY policies while voting against law enforcement
Timcast IRL - 6/22
Pool argues the vandalism over the Washington reflecting pool renovations is a “snowflake avalanche” response from obsessive activists, criticizes liberal media for their selective outrage over dead ducks and algae
The panel discusses new evidence of California voter fraud, with allegations of homeless getting paid to sign ballots, votes counting days after the election, and weak ID verification
They talk about how conservatives can be caught by the gift and audience capture, as seen with influencers promoting the new Animal Farm movie that is actually anti-capitalist
They discuss the decline of Canada in light of the Montreal shooting, and whether a female officer killed an innocent bystander
📺 LEADING FOX NEWS
The Five
VP JD Vance says progress is being made on peace with Iran, while Democrats like Sen. Cory Booker say it’s a bad deal
Kamala Harris claims hope “should be a verb” on the Don Lemon Show
CA Gov. Gavin Newsom defends Joe Biden ahead of the Democrat presidential primary fight
Liberal media is obsessive over the Washington reflecting pool, while vandals attempt to peel up the paint overnight
Joy Reid claims no Black people are excited for the Fourth of July
The New York Times talks about trans men who have children for Father’s Day
FOX & Friends
New York primaries are today, with radical candidates like Brad Lander, Darializa Chevalier, and Claire Valdez on the ballot
Savannah Guthrie believes the two ransom notes sent to her family were real, says she is “buried in nature”
The Tyler Robinson trial judge has delayed the contempt hearing until Friday
President Trump warns Iran to behave, as peace deal is signed but the regime tries to cause problems during nuclear talks
A manhunt is underway in Kansas City for a shooting suspect
Multiple vandals have been arrested for attempting to destroy the DC reflecting pool paint
As much as 91% of Americans favor clearer food labels, 87% want additives removed
USO workers talk about how the FIFA World Cup is rallying the troops
🍿 TRENDING AND POUNCING
Tomorrow’s news today…
Brandon Johnson declared a state of emergency for trans people. Guess how many trans people were kiIIed in Chicago in the past year? One. He was kiIIed by his boyfriend. [X, LibsofTikTok]
@PressSec: “Only the Democrats could hate beautifying our nation’s capital and making it a symbol of pride again.” [X, Rapid Response 47]
In an interview with a self-described “TransQueer” activist theologian, Texas Democrat James Talarico says he “hates” Christianity: “I always think of myself as a Christian who hates Christianity.” [X, RNC Research]
🗞️ WHAT THE RIGHT IS WRITING
FOX News Digital
Voting gets underway for key primary elections across four states [FOX News]
Trump fires warning shot at Iran as new deal faces first major test [FOX News]
Trump sounds off after 39 shot and multiple killed in blue city [FOX News]
Breitbart
Biden Judge Blocks Trump’s New Verification System to Fight Voter Fraud [Breitbart]
Poll: 78 Percent of Americans Want Conflict with Iran to End Now [Breitbart]
Wall Street Journal Editorials
The Myth of Alan Greenspan as the ‘Maestro’ [WSJ Ed]
America’s Immigrant Soccer Team [WSJ Ed]
Chuck Schumer’s Chip Shortage [WSJ Ed]
Iran’s Regime Gets Its First Relief [WSJ Ed]
Do Bible Passages Belong in English Class? [WSJ Ed]
New York Post
Abortion pill advertisement at US Open leaves golf fans appalled: ‘Gross and divisive’ [NYP]
Washington Free Beacon
Texas’s Talarico Scrubbed Website of Statements Supporting ‘Trans Kids’ and ‘Bold, Progressive Ideas’ Ahead of Senate Run [WFB]
Washington Reporter
Democratic nominee’s local ties undercut by property records [Reporter]
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