Olympic-sized culture fight
The Brand Brief 2.9.26: Hunter Hess, Seattle Seahawks, Olive Garden, Bad Bunny, Kevin James, Nancy Guthrie, Lindsey Vonn, James Comer, Mike Tyson, Andy Beshear, and Kid Rock
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…
1,223 words | 5 minute read | Written to be skimmable (15+ hours of media covered in The Brand Brief)
What Matters: Olympians bash America
New Media Voices: Rogan, Von, Ryan, and Olive Garden
Leading FOX: Super Bowl and Guthrie search
Trending and Pouncing: Kid Rock, Andy Beshear, and Super Bowl
What the Right is Writing: Halftime show alternative shines
✍️ WHAT MATTERS AND WHERE WE’RE GOING…
Nathan’s quick take on where we’re headed…
Bad Bunny drew the expected conservative media backlash, but the focus is already shifting to a new sports controversy: anti-American Olympians.
The biggest flash point is Team USA Freestyle Skier Hunter Hess, who told reporters he had “mixed emotions” representing the United States when asked about domestic political policy.
Conservatives were quick to respond. Podcastor Michael Knowles called Hess “the worst of America,” and Trump called him “a real loser.” On his show, Ben Shapiro offered a simple plea to entertainers and athletes representing the United States: just exhibit a love of country.
Skier Lindsey Vonn embodied the contrast, telling CBS News: “It’s a privilege to represent your country.” - NRB
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🎙️ NEW MEDIA VOICES
Mondays mean highlights from long-form interview shows...
The Joe Rogan Experience
Executive Director of the Foundation for Freedom Online Mike Benz shares the Justice Department’s connection to the Epstein Files
The End of Woke author Andrew Doyle explains how “wokeness” exploits humanity’s persuasion to be kind
“Pillars of the Past” YouTuber Raul Bilecky talks about how Peru’s archaeology is being destroyed by looters
Neuroscientist Dr. Tommy Wood shares how dementia is largely preventable though exercise and maintaining neuroplasticity
This Past Weekend with Theo Von
Retired New York City firefighter Tony Bonfiglio shares stories from his 20 years on the job, including on 9/11
Comedian Kevin James talks about superheroes, finding love later in life, and being friends with UFC fighters
The Tucker Carlson Show
“The Why Files” YouTuber AJ Gentile discusses the secrets of the Egyptian pyramids and CIA psychic spies
Carlson interviews various Christians in the Holy Land about the Israeli government’s treatment of the faith
YouTuber Ian Carroll explains a connection between Pizzagate and the newest release of the Epstein Files
The Shawn Ryan Show
Army Special Forces veteran Nick Brokhausen shares stories of his reconnaissance missions in Vietnam and Laos
Ryan says he is being threatened with legal action by Camp Kanakuk for exposing years of pedophilic rape and assault by camp staff
Former Marine Corps combat pilot veteran Michael Lester shares his thoughts on regime change and systemic failures within the military
Culture Apothecary with Alex Clark
Carly Kremer, founder of Beekeeper’s Naturals, explains how bees and pesticides impact our food and health
Nurse Jessie Martin unpacks the co-sleeping debate for young mothers looking to sleep train their baby
Patrick and Ashley Sullivan of Firefly Organic Coffee Shop share how their business nearly got shut down for serving raw milk lattes
The Tim Dillon Show
Dillon discusses the latest Epstein Files drop, FBI Director Kash Patel allegedly lying under oath, the Clintons agreeing to testify, and an Olive Garden fiasco
📺 LEADING FOX NEWS
FOX & Friends
The Seahawks win Super Bowl LX 29-13, Daily Wire podcaster Michael Knowles talks about how TPUSA hosted an alternative to the Bad Bunny Halftime Show
The Guthrie family agreed to pay the ransom in a new video to the abductor this weekend, today marks the second deadline
Energy Sec. Chris Wright plans to visit Venezuela to discuss oil distribution
Bill and Hillary Clinton agree to testify before Congress on the Epstein Files
Lindsey Vonn’s Olympic comeback results in med evac, she remains in stable condition, and some Olympians express mixed emotions about representing the US, in a boycott of President Trump’s policies
Opening statements begin today in the Los Angeles social media addiction trial
The Dept. of War confirms the U.S. military boarded a Venezuelan-linked oil tanker in the Indian Ocean
This year’s Valentine’s Day spending is expected to surpass 2025’s record by $1.6 billion
FOX Newsroom
On Day 9 of the search for Nancy Guthrie, investigators search her yard yet again, vehicle of interest discovered at a Circle K gas station
The Seattle Seahawks win Super Bowl LX against the New England Patriots, sportscaster Jim Gray reacts
The partial shutdown fight continues over DHS funding in the Senate
Providence PD release the Brown University body cam footage
Retired boxer Mike Tyson teams up with MAHA to share his fight against processed food
Virginia Democrats move forward with redistricting plan
Anti-ICE congressional candidate Analilia Mejia leads in the New Jersey Democrat primary
Rep. James Comer announces Hillary Clinton will testify Feb. 27, Bill Clinton will testify March 11
🍿 TRENDING AND POUNCING
Tomorrow’s news today…
TMZ Twitter poll reveals a supermajority of people say Kid Rock had a better halftime show than Bad Bunny — 67% to 33%. [X, Daugherty]
Democrat Governor Andy Beshear uses the Bible to justify gender mutilation of children [X, Brand]
Monday’s ‘CBS Mornings’ and a Variety editor fawned over Bad Bunny as focused on “unity” and “love,” “one of the most unifying performances we’ve ever seen in the Super Bowl.” [X, Houck]
Hillsdale College releases Learn Like Charlie campaign [X, Hillsdale]
Sen. Jon Ossoff — who opposes voter ID and the SAVE Act — required people to show ID to come to his event. You can’t make this crap up. [X, Daugherty]
🗞️ WHAT THE RIGHT IS WRITING
FOX News Digital
Bad Bunny’s halftime show ripped for language barrier, suspected political message [FOX News]
Seahawks win Super Bowl LX after dominant defensive performance against Patriots [FOX News]
Turning Point USA’s alternate halftime show attracts 5M viewers as stars clash [FOX News]
Breitbart
Turning Point USA’s All-American Halftime Show Wins the Super Bowl [Breitbart]
Team USA Olympic Skiers Slammed Over Anti-ICE Comments [Breitbart]
Media Roasted for Claiming JD Vance Was Booed at Olympics [Breitbart]
Team USA’s Amber Glenn: ‘Hard Time’ For LGBTQ Community Under Trump Admin [Breitbart]
Wall Street Journal Editorials
A Failed Climate Coup in the Courts [WSJ Ed]
Jimmy Lai Gets a Death Sentence [WSJ Ed]
Takaichi Rolls to a Landslide Victory in Japan [WSJ Ed]
Texas Parents Rush for School Choice [WSJ Ed]
Trump Sees the Light on Nexstar-Tegna [WSJ Ed]
New York Post
Cops seen leaving Annie Guthrie’s home wearing gloves, carrying brown bags, during night search [NYP]
Trump nears 500 press interactions in second term, blowing past Biden, data show [NYP]
Washington Free Beacon
She Was Dismissed From a Leadership Post at Harvard. Now She’s a Candidate for Columbia’s Edward Said Chair in Arab Studies [WFB]
Washington Reporter
Michele Tafoya discusses going from the NFL sidelines to the fray of politics with her Senate bid [Reporter]
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