Punchline to president?
The Brand Brief 2.17.26: Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, RFK Jr., Nancy Guthrie, Ron Paul, Wes Huff, Jesse Jackson, Mark Zuckerberg, Jimmy Kimmel, Wes Moore, and Elon Musk
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…
1,562 words | 7 minute read | Written to be skimmable (16+ hours of media covered in The Brand Brief)
What Matters: “AOC is dumb”
New Media Voices: Food pyramid, vaccines, gold, and Epstein
Leading FOX: Obama, Newsom, Jesse Jackson, and Nancy Guthrie
Trending: Newsom and Kimmel
What the Right is Writing: AOC, Munich, and Elon
✍️ WHAT MATTERS AND WHERE WE’RE GOING…
Nathan’s quick take on where we’re headed…
There is a running joke in conservative media about Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (AOC) being dumb. The Babylon Bee turned it into an art form, with hits like “AOC Proposes Nationwide Ban On Straws After Learning Trump Won Straw Poll” (other hilarious examples here, here, here).
But the caricature is increasingly rooted in reality. At the Munich Security Conference, the congresswoman looked out of her depth, fumbling through commentary on Taiwan, the equator, the history of cowboys, and Gaza (See Matt Whitlock’s Supercut). And of course, The Babylon Bee predictably pounced on her international debut with the headline: “AOC Condemns Spain For Stealing Mexico’s Language.”
The “AOC is dumb” joke is funny; however, it is alarming when one realizes she is now a frontrunner for the 2028 Democrat nomination. - NRB
I would love to hear your feedback - survey here. Thank you!
🎙️ NEW MEDIA VOICES
Highlights from the long-form interview shows. Regular news shows (Shapiro, Kelly, etc) will be back tomorrow…
The Joe Rogan Experience
Actress and HHS Sec. RFK Jr.’s wife Cheryl Hines shares her thoughts on anger in politics, how COVID made her rethink, and the future effects of AI
Pulp Fiction screenwriter Roger Avary talks conspiracy theories, audiences’ depleted attentions spans, and space
Black Rifle Coffee Company executive chair Evan Hafer discusses how coffee shops became a liberal mecca, the mind-body connection of sports, and the sulfuric acid on Epstein Island
mRNA vaccine inventor Dr. Robert Malone reflects on the insanity and government corruption of the COVID years
This Past Weekend with Theo Von
HHS Sec. RFK, Jr. discusses what it was like being an outsider going into the government, the fraud he uncovered, and the food pyramid
The Tucker Carlson Show
Billionaire hedge fund manager Ray Dalio argues why gold is the best investment in case of disaster, and if we should worry about a civil war
Former Rep. Ron Paul reflects on how his warning about endless debt and war came true
Arcium CEO Yannik Schrade explains how your phone is listening, if Signal is safe, and whether there are any truly secure devices
Congressional candidate Ryan Zink explains how he was convicted for January 6th, and claims he was almost killed in jail
The Shawn Ryan Show
Ryan gives a preview of an exclusive Patreon episode interviewing Masha Bucher, Jeffrey Epstein’s former publicist
Christian apologist Wes Huff discusses his medical miracle, the difference between Christianity and Islam, and the ancient Book of Enoch
CIA counterterrorism agent Sarah Adams breaks down the Taliban, terror cells on US soil, a Benghazi update, and Havana syndrome
Culture Apothecary with Alex Clark
Author Max Lugavere explains how to prevent dementia before it begins
Dr. Jack Wolfson argues against common medical beliefs on heart disease and its causes
Attorney R. Brent Wisner discusses the Monsanto Papers and how they exposed a company that knew its product caused cancer
The Tim Dillon Show
Dillon talks about AG Pam Bondi’s controversial response to questioning on Jeffrey Epstein, the Nancy Guthrie case, Epstein’s sulfuric acid hoard, and the family history of Jared Kushner
📺 LEADING FOX NEWS
The Five
DNA results of a glove in the Nancy Guthrie case are expected soon, the entire family is cleared as suspects
Barack Obama blasted California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s homeless “atrocity,” says it’s time for another generation of Democrats in separate interview
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer repeats his “Jim Crow 2.0” claim about the SAVE Act, Democrats make demands on ICE during the partial government shutdown
AOC stumbles on the world stage when asked about foreign policy at the Munich Security Conference
People are taking AI chatbots on real-life dates
FOX & Friends
Civil rights leader Rev. Jesse Jackson passed away at 84, Alveda King phones in to give her thoughts on his legacy
Pima County law enforcement confirms the Guthrie family is cleared of suspicion, Trump says the abductors could face the death penalty if Nancy is found dead, a bluetooth scanner is being used to scan for her pacemaker, former Laci Peterson investigator Jon Buehler reacts
A man accused of impersonating an FBI agent to break Luigi Mangione out of jail is due in court today
The DHS funding lapse threatens Spring Break travel plans, as TSA agents go without pay
Barack Obama calls the Democrats the party of “unity,” says Trump and his supporters are divisive
President Trump expresses support for both JD Vance and Marco Rubio, gives no preference when asked about the 2028 election
Trump slams Maryland Gov. Wes Moore for the Potomac River sewage spill, Moore claims the federal government has control of the broken interceptor
A transgender Rhode Island father murdered his family at a kids’ hockey game
Early voting for the 2026 Texas primaries begin Tuesday, with voting on governor, lieutenant governor, Sen. John Cornyn’s seat, and a few reps
US Ambassador to NATO Matt Whitaker gives his analysis of the upcoming Russia-Ukraine peace talks in Geneva, Switzerland
Actor Robert Duvall passed away at the age of 95, known for his role in The Godfather
Mark Zuckerberg will testify on teen social media addiction tomorrow
Plastic surgeon Dr. Sheila Nazarian and women’s sports advocate Riley Gaines warn against teen gender transitions
NYC hosts the world’s first AI dating cafe
FOX Newsroom
Civil rights leader Rev. Jesse Jackson passed away last night at 84
The Pima County sheriff rules out Nancy Guthrie’s family as suspects, former FBI Assistant Director Chris Swecker explains how the abductor’s glove is undergoing DNA testing
Rhode Island police identify the man who murdered his family at a hockey game as Robert Dorgan, called himself Roberta Esposito
Axios says Nancy Pelosi is betting on a Gavin Newsom 2028 run, Barack Obama bashes the California governor’s homelessness issue
AOC defends her trip to the Munich Security Conference after blundering foreign policy questions, Ben Shapiro reacts
A Florida sheriff rescued an unconscious woman from her burning home
Former FDA Commissioner Dr. David Kessler admits processed foods alter metabolisms, as HHS Sec. RFK Jr. fights against food additives
A sewage pipeline burst resulted in 200 million gallons of sewage water infecting the Potomac River, the Washington Times questions why Democrats aren’t outraged over the pollution
Former CIA Chief of Stations Dan Hoffman reports on the U.S. sending a second aircraft carrier to the Persian Gulf, the upcoming Russia-Ukraine peace talks
Democrats dig in their heels over ICE reform demands as the partial government shutdown enters day 4
Apocalypse Now and The Godfather actor Robert Duvall dies at 95
Energy Sec. Chris Wright discusses the admin’s plans to push American nuclear power globally
A Maryland woman reported teens to Child Protective Services after they attempted to host a TPUSA meeting
Mark Zuckerberg will testify tomorrow in the teen social media addiction trial
🍿 TRENDING AND POUNCING
Tomorrow’s news today…
I’m outside the Obama Center museum tower right now. The new letters are a tough read to me, giving off the lorem ipsum vibes. [X, Bey]
Gavin Newsom mocked for tweeting confusion about being dyslexic and “illiterate” vs being “historically illiterate” [X, Newsom]
Jimmy Kimmel hosts fundraiser for congressional Democrats [X, Schleifer]
Old clip of Schumer resurfaces talking about the importance of voter ID in fighting fraud [Daugherty, X]
🗞️ WHAT THE RIGHT IS WRITING
FOX News Digital
Civil rights leader Rev Jesse Jackson dead at 84 [FOX News]
FBI official gives update on DNA from glove in Nancy Guthrie case [FOX News]
DHS shutdown drags into 4th day as Senate Democrats block funding [FOX News]
Breitbart
Democrats Call to Censure Rep. Randy Fine for Saying America Will Choose Pet Dogs over Muslim Supremacy [Breitbart]
School-Led Anti-ICE Protests Grow Increasingly Violent [Breitbart]
ICE ‘Detention Reengineering’ Plan Will Expand Capacity, Speed Deportation [Breitbart]
Schumer: MAGA Right Doesn’t Want Poor People or People of Color to Vote [Breitbart]
Wall Street Journal Editorials
Judge Leon Educates Pete Hegseth [WSJ Ed]
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Does Geopolitics [WSJ Ed]
What Washington Won’t Talk About [WSJ Ed]
Rubio’s Tough Love for Europe [WSJ Ed]
New York Post
Pulse-pounding video shows heroes wrestle trans dad who opened fire at Rhode Island high school hockey game [NYP]
Dad of slain football teen claims Mamdani is failing to keep NYers safe — and has yet to make this one important gesture [NYP]
Elon Musk’s Starlink crackdown cripples attacks on Ukraine as Russian casualty rates soar [NYP]
Washington Free Beacon
Democrat Wes Moore Stumbles During CBS Town Hall When Asked To Address Free Beacon Reporting About Exaggerations and Falsehoods in His Life Story [WFB]
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.