No longer a must attend
The Brand Brief 3.26.26: CPAC, Cabinet Meeting, Nicolas Maduro, Sheridan Gorman, Jimmy Kimmel, and Nick Shirley
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
NOTE: No newsletter this Friday. See you next week!
📣 Driving the Conversation…
1,441 words | 6 minute read | Written to be skimmable (12+ hours of media covered in The Brand Brief)
What Matters: CPAC 2026
New Media Voices: Eyes on Chicago and Iran
Leading FOX: Trump Cabinet Meeting
Trending: Cabinet meeting and Dem state fraud
What the Right is Writing: Iranian missiles and big tech in court
✍️ WHAT MATTERS AND WHERE WE’RE GOING…
Nathan’s quick take on where we’re headed…
The 2026 Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) opened Thursday in Texas, but the once-premier “cattle call” for the right has lost its luster. With Trump and Vance skipping the event, top conservative leaders no longer view it as the essential pilgrimage it was during the Tea Party era.
While personality controversies and rival events have dampened the draw, the decline is largely a sign of the conservative movement's maturity. CPAC once felt like the rebel base on Yavin 4, but conservative media has since institutionalized, outgrowing the need for a singular "insurgent" gathering. - NRB
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🎙️ NEW MEDIA VOICES
The Megyn Kelly Show - 3/25
Kelly shames Chicago’s sanctuary city policies and Alderwoman Maria Haden for dismissing Sheridan Gorman’s murder as an accident
She raises questions about potential federal mishandling of Charlie Kirk’s death and the influence of donor interests in his legacy, but reiterates it was Tyler Robinson who killed him
Curt Mills, executive director of the American Conservative, weighs in on Iran and the midterms
Actor Josh Duhamel talks about why he and his family moved to Fargo, why he keeps politics out of his career, and promotes his wellness brand
The Ben Shapiro Show - 3/25
Polls show overwhelming GOP backing of Iran, Shapiro lambasts figures like Joe Kent, Candace Owens, and Tucker Carlson
Shapiro breaks down various claims Carlson has made, claiming the Middle East is tolerant and defending Sharia Law
Shapiro interviews Rep. Byron Donalds on his run for Florida governor, addressing affordability, law and order, and economic growth
The Matt Walsh Show - 3/25
Walsh expresses concerns about foreign truck drivers that can’t speak English, haven’t properly passed safety exams
Walsh reacts to the debate over a Christian influencer posting about his wife being promiscuous before their marriage, while he waited
He sheds light on the Medicaid fraud in Minnesota, costing taxpayers billions annually.
Walsh critiques artificiality in food, music, and social media, says faith, family, and real human experiences can save us from a nihilistic culture
Allie Beth Stuckey’s “Relatable” - 3/25
Stuckey expresses concern over the portrayal of marriage and family in reality shows like Love Is Blind
She reacts to the death of Leonid Redinski, the owner of OnlyFans, and his negative legacy on young men’s psychology and relationships
Stuckey critiques the decriminalization of abortion in the UK, linking it to its harmful effects on mothers and unborn children
After Party with Emily Jashinsky - 3/25
Jashinsky discusses the murder of student Sheridan Gorman by Venezuelan illegal immigrant José Medina
87-year-old Rep. Maxine Waters may become the oldest chair of the powerful House Financial Services Committee, guest Michael Malice notes staff often run offices, not the member
They mock California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s social media attempt to emulate Trump’s posting and comparing himself to American Psycho, and discuss the state’s proposed billionaire tax
Jashinsky argues Tucker Carlson’s quote about Sharia Law is being taken out of context, is being used to stoke the algorithm
Guest Emma Waters discusses her book Lead Like Jael, which pushes back against both “girl boss” feminism and rigid “trad wife” ideals
Jimmy Kimmel shows he’s out of touch by sneering at DHS Sec. Markwayne Mullin’s history as a plumber
📺 LEADING FOX NEWS
The Five
Chuck Schumer claims ICE agents at airports are a precursor to rigged elections, while travelers interviewed say they love their help
The White House says President Trump gets a daily video montage of Iran getting blown up, releases a 15-point plan to end the war
Biden Press Sec. Jen Psaki claims the next president should engage the press “daily or almost daily”
Comedian Vince Vaughn tells podcaster Theo Von why late night shows aren’t funny anymore
United Airlines introduces the option to purchase an entire row of lie-flat seats for napping or playing with children
FOX & Friends
Nicolas Maduro and his wife will appear in court today
Illinois politicians deflect blame for the death of Sheridan Gorman
FLOTUS Melania Trump’s tech summit featured an AI robot
On opening day for the MLB season, the Yankees beat the Giants
In a landmark verdict, the jury finds Meta and Google negligent in the social media addiction trial, $6 million awarded
Former ambassador Nathan Sales explains Iran negotiations, says Trump is fighting for a speedy end to war
Private security group CLEAR stock surges as TSA remains unpaid, will miss second paycheck tomorrow
Jimmy Kimmel mocks DHS Sec. Markwayne Mullin’s working class background
Parents are pursuing legal action after their child died of caffeine overconsumption
Savannah Guthrie says the back porch doors were found propped open at her mom’s house
A new 9/11 flag exhibit opens in New York City for the 25th anniversary
FOX Newsroom
President Trump hosts a cabinet meeting live to discuss an Iran peace deal, CENTCOM says 92% of Iran’s navy is destroyed
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson is heckled during a press conference for not taking Sheridan Gorman’s death seriously
Nicolas Maduro appears in court today
Meta and YouTube are found liable in the social media addiction case
Savannah Guthrie says the back doors were open to her mom’s home
Senate Majority Leader John Thune and former Speaker Kevin McCarthy are interviewed on the DHS shutdown, SAVE America Act
Jimmy Kimmel mocks DHS Sec. Markwayne Mullin for once being a plumber
🍿 TRENDING AND POUNCING
Tomorrow’s news today…
You read that right: the single biggest individual donor to Spanberger Democrats’ Virginia gerrymander is some rando New Yorker named George Soros. [X, Domenech]
The money flown out of the Minneapolis airport by fraudsters has been tracked and used to purchase resorts, homes and cars [X, WallStreetApes]
🗞️ WHAT THE RIGHT IS WRITING
FOX News Digital
More than 90% of Iranian missiles intercepted, but a dangerous imbalance is emerging [FOX News]
Iran’s Navy leader, who commanded the Strait of Hormuz closure, reportedly killed [FOX News]
Trump scores ‘massive court victory’ with appellate ruling on ICE detention [FOX News]
Breitbart
White House Warns: Trump Will ‘Unleash Hell’ if Iran ‘Fails to Understand That They Have Been Defeated’ [Breitbart]
Report: Elite 82nd Airborne Troops May Deploy to Mideast for Support [Breitbart]
WH Warns: Trump ‘Prepared to Unleash Hell’ if Iran Won’t ‘Come to a Deal’ [Breitbart]
Jury: Meta and Google Negligent in Landmark Social Media Addiction Trial [Breitbart]
Wall Street Journal Editorials
The Social-Media Shakedown Begins [WSJ Ed]
Another Supreme Court Knockout [WSJ Ed]
Hochul Wants a Climate Reprieve [WSJ Ed]
Meet the U.N.’s New Human-Rights Authority [WSJ Ed]
New York Post
Shocking closeup images show devastating destruction to Air Canada plane after deadly LaGuardia crash [NYP]
Mystery traders may have bagged $40M-$50M on Trump’s announcement to pause Iran attacks [NYP]
Why Savannah Guthrie’s emotional tell-all interview has kidnapper ‘terrified’: expert [NYP]
Washington Free Beacon
Harvard Business Professor Who Protested at Library Now Teaching Israel Divestment ‘Case’ in Class [WFB]
Washington Reporter
Sen. Tom Cotton wants to prevent illegal immigrants from opening bank accounts [Reporter]
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