New media madness
The Brand Brief 3.19.26: March Madness, Gavin Newsom, Joe Kent, Tulsi Gabbard, JB Pritzker, and Pearl Harbor
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…
1,359 words | 6 minute read | Written to be skimmable (13+ hours of media covered in The Brand Brief)
What Matters: Independence and the truth
New Media Voices: Joe Kent media blitz
Leading FOX: Iran, Tulsi, and a missing spring breaker
Trending: Pearl Harbor
What the Right is Writing: Polling on Iran conflict
✍️ WHAT MATTERS AND WHERE WE’RE GOING…
Nathan’s quick take on where we’re headed…
We touched on the infighting within conservative new media earlier in the week, but I want to highlight an important point from The Babylon Bee’s Seth Dillon. Responding to Matt Walsh's video regarding Candace Owen, he writes:
He’s right that independent creators can be just as dishonest as the mainstream media, but there’s a key difference. The independent creators sold us their lies while claiming to be the truth-telling alternative. That was their whole value proposition; it was their reason for being in the first place. So they haven’t just failed to tell the truth. They’ve intentionally exploited our hunger for it. I don’t know what you call that, other than evil.
I’m thankful this madness is being called out. - NRB
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🎙️ NEW MEDIA VOICES
The Ben Shapiro Show - 3/18
Shapiro addresses Joe Kent’s resignation over his views on U.S. military involvement in Iran
Citing presidential approval ratings, he argues disapproval over Iran is exaggerated
Shapiro compares the situation to Marjorie Taylor Greene’s standing in the media and with MAGA leadership
He speculates on the potential for uprisings in Iran, the role of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and the Strait of Hormuz
Shapiro looks into protesters in Cuba and the increasing tensions with the Democratic Socialists of America for their support of the regime
The Isabel Brown Show - 3/18
Nick Shirley reveals a staggering $170 million in Medicare fraud in California, particularly in hospice and daycare services
One adult daycare group received $19 million despite not being operational, and voter fraud has been tied to abandoned buildings in the state
Brown criticizes Gov. Gavin Newsom’s policies for contributing to the ongoing poverty and homeless crisis
After Party with Emily Jashinsky - 3/18
Jashinsky opens with polling showing President Trump retains almost total support among MAGA voters amid the Iran conflict, but argues this doesn’t extend to the broader GOP or Independents
John Daniel Davidson, senior editor at The Federalist discusses the resignation of National Counterterrorism Center Director Joe Kent and his appearance with Tucker Carlson, and Intelligence Director Tulsi Gabbard testifying before Congress
They briefly talk about UFOs and Peter Thiel’s claims about the Antichrist
Texas Senate hopeful James Talarico’s claims his message reflects “biblical Christianity,” and panders about veganism
Jashinsky and Davidson analyze CBS News’ rating struggles and why they won’t be surprised if there are changes in the future
Timcast IRL - 3/18
Guests Kyla Turner and Matthew Marsden join the panel to discuss the decline of progressives in Illinois and the impact of AIPAC funding on election outcomes
They discuss the implications of Joe Kent’s leaked communications concerning national security
The panel reacts to corporate influence of platforms like YouTube affecting public opinion
Former Trump staffer Jenna Ellis faces RICO charges, the panel frames this in the context of disenchantment among voters
Stats show the outmigration of wealthy individuals from high-tax areas like New York while they still vote for high-tax candidates
📺 LEADING FOX NEWS
The Five
Democrat senators rip into heads of intelligence during a hearing on Iran, Trump disparages NATO for not assisting at Strait of Hormuz, CENTCOM confirms 7,800 targets hit
Spring break travelers face hours-long lines as TSA remains without pay
Kat Abughazaleh, a far-left congressional candidate, bombs in the Illinois primary, Gov. JB Pritzker outlines “Project 2029”
Gen Z is nostalgic for the 90s as they repeat fashion trends and watch Love Story
FOX & Friends
Israel strikes an Iranian gas field near Qatar, Iran completely closes off the Strait of Hormuz to the U.S., oil barrel prices surge to $110, War Sec. Pete Hegseth gives live updates, Cuba is entering talks with the U.S.
DHS confirms 366 TSA agents have quit, Sen. Markwayne Mullin pledges the department won’t “make headline everyday” under his leadership, committee votes today
A University of Alabama student is missing in Barcelona
A group of U.S. governors, AGs sign a letter in favor of SAVE America Act
Intelligence Director Tulsi Gabbard continues her hearing today live
FOX Newsroom
Intelligence Director Tulsi Gabbard, FBI Director Kash Patel testify live before Congress
Sen. Katie Britt is interviewed on the continued DHS shutdown
President Trump hosts Japanese PM Sanae Takaichi today
According to a 911 call by his ex-wife, the Michigan synagogue attacker’s family died in an airstrike in Lebanon
The Senate resumes debate on the SAVE America Act
Some European allies say they’re now ready to help reopen the Strait of Hormuz, Iran hits energy sites in Kuwait and Saudi Arabia, former Mossad counterterrorism head Oded Ailam reacts
A University of Alabama student is missing abroad from his Spring Break trip in Barcelona, Spain
The Senate Homeland Security Committee advancesSen. Markwayne Mullin’s nomination for DHS secretary
🍿 TRENDING AND POUNCING
Tomorrow’s news today…
Nick Shirley: The Governor of California is an enemy to the people of California. He’s literally working to support the fraudsters… when he could be exposing the fraud! [X, Eagleman]
Report on the Somalia property boom: “Amid an economic boom in the country, construction is taking place all over Somalia.” They’re robbing U.S. taxpayers blind to build up their own country. [X, Libs of TikTok]
The woman in charge of Newsom’s $114 million bridge to nowhere which was supposed to be completed last year says it’s the “world’s most hopeful construction project.” [X, Libs of TikTok]
Pete Hegseth: May Almighty God continue to bless our troops in this fight, to the American people please pray for them every day on bended knee, with your family, in your schools, in your churches, in the name of Jesus Christ. [X, Daugherty]
🗞️ WHAT THE RIGHT IS WRITING
FOX News Digital
Former counterterrorism chief Joe Kent under FBI investigation [FOX News]
University of Alabama student James Gracey disappears in Barcelona [FOX News]
Trump warns the US will ‘blow up the entirety’ of major Iran gas field [FOX News]
Breitbart
FBI Investigating Joe Kent Over Alleged Leak of Classified Information, Probe Pre-dates His Departure [Breitbart]
Polls: MAGA, GOP Overwhelmingly Back Trump’s Iran ‘Operation Epic Fury’ [Breitbart]
Joe Kent Previously Pushed to Wipe Out Iran’s Nuclear, Missile Capabilities [Breitbart]
Wall Street Journal Editorials
Brendan Carr and the TikTok Dodge [WSJ Ed]
The Fed on a Wing and a Prayer [WSJ Ed]
Tulsi Gabbard’s Resistance Shop [WSJ Ed]
A Glimmer of Hope in Illinois [WSJ Ed]
New York Post
Republicans overwhelmingly back Trump over Tucker Carlson, Megyn Kelly on Iran war, poll finds [NYP]
Apple News stories from conservative outlets rise to a paltry 2% in February from 0% ahead of possible fed crackdown [NYP]
DHS shutdown has caused at least $2.5B in losses so far — but damage expected to be far worse, economists say [NYP]
Washington Free Beacon
Zohran Mamdani’s Wife Celebrated Palestinian Terrorists, Including Plane Hijacker, In Social Media Posts From Early Adulthood [WFB]
Washington Reporter
Club for Growth releases report on importance of “educational freedom” [Reporter]
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