New media poll: who conservatives actually like (and have heard of)
The Brand Brief 2.18.26: Mark Wahlberg, Margot Robbie, JD Vance, Rhode Island shooter, Gavin Newsom, AOC, Nancy Guthrie, and Mamdani
Actionable media intel to keep you ahead: 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…
1,543 words | 7 minute read | Written to be skimmable (14+ hours of media covered in The Brand Brief)
What Matters: Rogan, Shapiro, Loomer, and Fuentes
New Media Voices: Rhode Island trans shooter
Leading FOX: Nancy Guthrie, James Talarico, and Mark Wahlberg
Trending: Mamdani and Schumer
What the Right is Writing: Guthrie and Wes Moore
✍️ WHAT MATTERS AND WHERE WE’RE GOING…
Nathan’s quick take on where we’re headed…
Breitbart had an exclusive look at new polling this week on how Republicans view media personalities. My takeaways:
Not surprising: Charlie Kirk is well known and well liked (74% view favorably, and known by 90% of Republicans)... I’d be curious to see Erika Kirk numbers.
Joe Rogan, Ben Shapiro, and Tucker Carlson are also highly recognizable and broadly popular (each known by 70%+ of Republicans, with strong favorables).
Despite all the online hoopla, Laura Loomer and Nick Fuentes remain largely unknown amongst Republicans (nearly 60% have no opinion or never heard of them).
These internet personalities may generate headlines, but that doesn’t necessarily translate into real-world reach. - NRB
I would love to hear your feedback - survey here. Thank you!
🎙️ NEW MEDIA VOICES
The Megyn Kelly Show - 2/17
Kelly opens with two recent shootings: the one in Rhode Island, the other Canada, both committed by female-identifying men
Buck Sexton joins to promote his book Manufacturing Delusion, which explains how progressives use brainwashing techniques to promote trans, BLM, and COVID ideology, saying that insisting logical falsehoods are true and public shaming is how historical totalitarian regimes gained power
Former law enforcement officers Maureen O’Connell, Chad Ayers, and Jonathan Gilliam discuss discrepancies in the Pima County sheriff’s handling of the Nancy Guthrie case, and how purchase records could lead to finding her abductor
The Ben Shapiro Show - 2/17
Shapiro praises Sec. of State Marco Rubio’s speech at the Munich Security Conference, highlighting his defense of Western civilization and insistence on self-reliant alliances
The host contrasts this with Democrats like AOC and Hillary Clinton, mocking AOC’s foreign policy stumbles regarding Taiwan and criticizing Clinton’s claims that Trump betrayed the West
Shapiro disparages Gavin Newsom and Barack Obama, arguing they offer empty platitudes and divisive social justice activism
Sen. Tim Scott joins to commend Rubio’s articulation of Judeo-Christian values, asserting American success relies on these foundational principles
The Michael Knowles Show - 2/17
Knowles analyzes the Rhode Island trans shooter, arguing it fits a pattern of untreated mental illness the Left ignores.
He defends Trump nominee Jeremy Carl against Sen. Chris Murphy, supporting the claim that white Americans face systemic legal discrimination
Knowles contrasts Sec. of State Marco Rubio’s defense of Western civilization at the Munich Security Conference with AOC’s performance
The host critiques Obama’s belief in aliens, arguing liberals use extraterrestrials to undermine the unique spiritual dignity of humanity
Dr. Robert Epstein joins to expose how Big Tech algorithms could manipulate future elections
Allie Beth Stuckey’s “Relatable” - 2/17
Stuckey critiques the new Wuthering Heights adaptation, arguing its marketing campaign glamorizes sadomasochism as the “greatest love story.”
She analyzes how stars Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi blur fiction and reality in interviews, promoting a toxic narrative of codependency and jealousy to young audiences
Stuckey connects this trend to franchises like Twilight and Fifty Shades of Grey, citing studies that link consumption of such media to increased tolerance of domestic abuse among women
After Party with Emily Jashinsky - 2/17
Jashinsky opens with a humorous reading of a resurfaced erotic poem by Rep. Eric Swalwell before welcoming guest Hadley Heath Manning
Manning discusses her report on “The Dating Decade,” analyzing the widening gap between sexual debut and marriage alongside the cultural implications of delayed family formation
The pair dissect viral clips from the Munich Security Conference, critiquing AOC’s framing of cultural wars as class distractions and Hillary Clinton’s tense exchange regarding gender ideology
They explore data linking marriage to happiness, challenging modern narratives that prioritize career over family
📺 LEADING FOX NEWS
The Five
The Pima County sheriff confirms the Nancy Guthrie case isn’t a burglary gone wrong, no glove DNA match with FBI database
Trump makes fun of AOC’s foreign policy blunder at the Munich Security Conference, she runs to the NYT to explain herself
President Trump is rebooting his affordability tour in Rome, Georgia
Rosie O’Donnell says she visited her family in the U.S. to see if it was “safe”
Rep. Eric Swalwell’s old erotic poetry from 19 years old resurfaces
FOX & Friends
Nine skiers are trapped in a California Sierra Nevada avalanche, six previously rescued
Mark Zuckerberg testifies for Meta in the social media trial today
The Pima County sheriff says they have not narrowed down the Nancy Guthrie suspect list, after the glove DNA didn’t match anyone in the FBI database
Four people killed and 29 hospitalized in a massive car crash pileup in Pueblo, CO
Guest Michael Knowles says Christianity is on the rise, particularly when it comes to church attendance among young, educated men
The U.S. and Iran continue nuclear talks
Rep. Buddy Carter responds to a Georgia teacher who got killed by an illegal immigrant fleeing ICE by car
AOC complains to the NYT about bipartisan criticism of her Munich talk
NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani is backtracking on policy, announces property tax increases that would raise the cost of living for all residents
President Trump will hold an affordability rally in Georgia tomorrow
Mark Wahlberg and The Chosen’s Jonathan Roumie discuss the Hallow app’s 40-day Lent challenge beginning today, Ash Wednesday
FOX Newsroom
Nine skiers are missing in an avalanche near Lake Tahoe
Law enforcement confirms the glove discovered by the FBI doesn’t match the DNA at Nancy Guthrie’s home
Mark Zuckerberg testifies today in the social media addiction trial
Zohran Mamdani is asking NY Gov. Kathy Hochul to raise the income tax after he dips into the rainy day fund just a month into his administration, threatens a 9.5% property tax increase
As Republicans face a narrow congressional majority, Ruthless podcast co-host Josh Holmes discusses midterms messaging
VP JD Vance said this week the U.S. is looking to use diplomacy as the solution in Iran nuclear talks, but “all options on the table,” former Sec. of State Mike Pompeo reacts
DHS confirms a Georgia woman was killed in a car accident by an illegal immigrant fleeing ICE
MAHA is now targeting processed food following new dietary guidelines release, new research casts doubt on the benefits of intermittent fasting
Stephen Colbert is angry with his own network for enforcing the equal-time rule, not allowing him to interview James Talarico, guest former Speaker Kevin McCarthy reacts to Texas Senate primaries
Two dead and three injured following the Rhode Island hockey game shooting
MD Gov. Wes Moore claims the Potomac River sewage spill is “basically contained,” Trump slams Democrat leadership
As President Trump travels to Georgia for a rally tomorrow, VP JD Vance says the administration is prioritizing housing affordability
Young people are prioritizing catching up on sleep while on vacation
🍿 TRENDING AND POUNCING
Tomorrow’s news today…
President Trump just exposed Chuck Schumer, posting a 1996 video where he supported ID to prevent fraud. [X, Daugherty]
Mayor Zohran Mamdani has declared that property taxes will require a 9.5% hike across NYC to make up for Gov. Kathy Hochul’s refusal to hike taxes on NY’s wealthy. [X, NYP]
“I wish we lived in a world where Thomas Crooks didn’t miss [Trump].” Lefties on TikTok are calling for more violence. [X, LibsofTikTok]
Anti-American “queer” Team USA skater Amber Glenn finishes 13th at the Winter Olympics, cries when it happens. [X, Daugherty]
🗞️ WHAT THE RIGHT IS WRITING
FOX News Digital
Sheriff says Guthrie case far from ‘cold’ as new leads emerge [FOX News]
World’s top scientists hold convention where true feelings on DEI, Trump come out [FOX News]
Billionaire Victoria’s Secret mogul Les Wexner to testify in House Jeffrey Epstein probe [FOX News]
Breitbart
Self-Described ‘Woke B*tch’ US Skater Overcome with Emotion After Finishing 13th in Women’s Short Program [Breitbart]
Police: Man Who Shot His Family at Ice Rink Went by ‘Roberta’ [Breitbart]
Schumer Pushes to Make Pride Flag ‘Congressionally Authorized Symbol’ [Breitbart]
Wall Street Journal Editorials
Iran Wants Trump to Pull an Obama [WSJ Ed]
Jesse Jackson, 1941-2026 [WSJ Ed]
The UAW’s Southern Strategy [WSJ Ed]
Europe Fills U.S. Aid Loss to Ukraine [WSJ Ed]
New York Post
Epstein masterminded ‘girls weekends’ in ritzy Hamptons with weird overnight stays: emails [NYP]
Mamdani brings back homeless encampment sweeps — turning on key campaign promise [NYP]
Omar needs to be investigated over ‘misleading disclosures’ to Congress on husband’s $30M net worth: watchdog [NYP]
Washington Free Beacon
Wes Moore 2028 Drowning in River of Bullshit [WFB]
Washington Reporter
Anti-Israel “die in” makes waves in Iowa Senate race [Reporter]
NEED HELP NAVIGATING CONSERVATIVE MEDIA?
On Brand Strategies can assist you in getting booked on shows, placing op-eds, and navigating the conservative media. Learn more at OnBrandStrategies.com.