Political humiliation, owning the libs, and elite preferences
The Brand Brief 6.18.26: JD Vance, MLB, the Obamas, Janeese Lewis George, Amanda Seyfried, and Kanye West
No Brand Brief on Friday during Juneteenth
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…
1,399 words | 6 minute read | Written to be skimmable (11+ hours of media covered in The Brand Brief)
What Matters: How to go about owning the libs?
New Media Voices: MLB, Iran, and Kanye West
Leading FOX: G-7 and Charlie Kirk’s alleged assassin
Trending: Al Gore and the Lincoln Reflection Pool
What the Right is Writing: Iran and fraud
✍️ WHAT MATTERS AND WHERE WE’RE GOING…
Nathan’s quick take on where we’re headed…
While conservative media voices largely agree on core issues like lower taxes, border security, and limited government, the split comes on tone and style. The Pew Research Center captured this rift in its typology project:
53% of No Apologies Right say they like it when politicians they agree with humiliate opponents. Far smaller shares of Faith First Conservatives (27%) and Unconventional Right (28%) say this. Pragmatic and Polite Right overwhelmingly reject this style of politics – just 5% say they like seeing political opponents humiliated.
For example, conservative voices like Ben Shapiro and Allie Beth Stuckey take a fundamentally different approach than firebrands like Jack Posobiec or Jesse Kelly.
This tonal divide was on full display Thursday morning during a conversation between Ross Douthat and Vice President Vance. - NRB
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🎙️ NEW MEDIA VOICES
The Megyn Kelly Show - 6/17
Kelly argues the Iran deal reveals divides within the Republican Party, particularly among figures like VP Vance and older figures, guests Rich Lowry and Charles CW Cook react
She criticizes the new couple portrait at the Obama Library, suggesting it reflects a strained relationship between Barack and Michelle
They discuss how the UFC White House event showed the cultural disconnect between American celebrities and working-class citizens
Kelly contrasts negative portrayals of America that have been entirely disproven by happy European tourists visiting for the FIFA World Cup
She disparages the MLB for punishing Giants players who wrote Bible verses on their Pride Month baseball hats
The Ben Shapiro Show - 6/17
Shapiro argues VP JD Vance’s appearance on The View showcased his debate skills and ability to handle criticism, while explaining how the Biden admin harmed America with inflation and open borders
He argues Vance is defending what appears to be a weak deal with Iran, and questions it alongside more isolationist figures he traditionally disagrees with like Megyn Kelly and Tucker Carlson
Shapiro draws comparisons between the current deal and the Obama administration’s, saying it’s important to make the deal public
He thanks the FBI for dismantling a terror plot against the UFC event
The Michael Knowles Show - 6/17
Knowles discusses the systematic abuse and trafficking of 250,000 British girls by grooming gangs, arguing the British government betrayed the people by suppressing this info to try to protect migrants
He says the report shows a strong connection to Pakistani Muslims, as noted by guest UK activist Sammy Woodhouse
Knowles argues Christian MLB players are facing religious discrimination for being forced to participate in Pride Month
He stresses the importance of a united conservative movement despite disagreements on Iran, remaining thankful for peace
Knowles praises VP JD Vance for his strong appearance on The View, tackling immigration and Epstein while impressing Joy Behar
Timcast IRL - 6/17
The panel remains hopeful gas prices will drop after President Trump signed the Iran deal in Versailles, guest Steven Al Ebadi reacts and discusses the potential for conflict with China
They express shock at learning Joe Rogan was threatened to leave Spotify by multiple presidents after questioning vaccines
Pool slams the DOJ and FBI for their handling of domestic threats, while remaining grateful the UFC terror attack was prevented
They express concerns about food security, the rise in civil unrest, and joke about Neil deGrasse Tyson demanding answers on aliens
After Party with Emily Jashinsky - 6/17
Jashinsky argues alongside Megyn Kelly that President Trump’s signing of the Iran deal at Versailles has created a significant rift within the MAGA coalition, and react to VP JD Vance’s shift on foreign policy
They react to actress Amanda Seyfried’s foul comments on Charlie Kirk, calling out the left’s celebration of political violence
Jashinsky expresses disgust both over Rep. Scott Weiner defending underage sex changes and the MLB demonizing Christian athletes who boycotted their Pride Month uniforms
She also argues Kanye West shouldn’t be blocked from performing in Tampa by Sen. Rick Scott, posing questions about freedom of speech
📺 LEADING FOX NEWS
The Five
President Trump says he’ll bomb Iran if they don’t uphold the deal
Hillary Clinton describes Joe Biden’s 2024 run as a horrible mistake, despite endorsing him
DC’s mayoral frontrunner Janeese Lewis George is a self-described socialist
The Chicago cross burning hate crime was actually committed by an Asian anti-Trump protester
FOX & Friends
President Trump says at the G-7 summit that he’ll bomb Iran if they misbehave, signs the 14-point memorandum at Versailles
A suspect in the UFC terror plot will appear in court today
The eight deceased men in the B-52 crash at Edwards Air Force Base have been identified
The NYC Knicks accept President Trump’s White House invite
Congress reaches a deal on the 21st Century ROAD to Housing bill, which seeks to make home ownership affordable for young families
Sen. Bernie Sanders and Mayor Zohran Mamdani team up to rally for far-left candidates like Claire Valdez, Darializa Avila Chevalier, and Brad Lander
Luigi Mangione’s defense team is attempting to drop his potential sentence to a manslaughter charge rather than first-degree murder
Charlie Kirk’s alleged assassin’s roommate has been given limited immunity for potential cooperation in his murder
🍿 TRENDING AND POUNCING
Tomorrow’s news today…
JD Vance just nailed it: “President Trump has the best instincts about human beings of anybody I’ve ever met…” [X, Daugherty]
Al Gore compares fighting the ‘climate crisis’ to the “abolition of slavery.”[X, Western]
Yup, you read that right… “A pro algae protest” at the Lincoln Reflection Pool. [X, Eagleman]
🗞️ WHAT THE RIGHT IS WRITING
FOX News Digital
Trump personally signs Iran deal in diplomatic breakthrough [FOX News]
Platner faces dire warning from within his own party over mounting scandals [FOX News]
City deploys 10,000 officers to lock down New York Knicks’ parade [FOX News]
Breitbart
Signed, Sealed, Now to Deliver: U.S.-Iran Talks Begin on Implementing Agreement [Breitbart]
Trump Personally Signs Iran Agreement at Versailles [Breitbart]
Wall Street Journal Editorials
Is Iran Really a ‘Normal Country’? [WSJ Ed]
Warsh’s Bold New Change at the Fed [WSJ Ed]
Around the Strait of Hormuz in 60 Days [WSJ Ed]
Will the Real Dan Sullivan Please Stand Up? [WSJ Ed]
New York Post
Alleged $38M adult day care scam busted in Brooklyn — snaring Pakistani community leaders who cozied up to Dems [NYP]
Giants’ stars tell-all about MLB’s LGBT pride hat scandal — and how staff and MLB betrayed them [NYP]
Sen. Rick Scott asks Trump admin to strip CodePink’s tax-exempt status over China funding ties [NYP]
Washington Free Beacon
Notorious, China-Based American Mogul Is Running Shadowy Influence Campaign to Undermine U.S. AI Efforts, Give Communist China an Edge in Technology Arms Race [WFB]
Washington Reporter
Interior Secretary Doug Burgum lays out “blueprint” that President Donald Trump has for revitalizing cities across America [Reporter]
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