Reality check
The Brand Brief 4.30.26: Artemis II Crew, James Comey, Graham Platner, Taylor Swift, Jimmy Kimmel, Bernie Sanders, and King Charles III
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…
1,421 words | 6 minute read | Written to be skimmable (12+ hours of media covered in The Brand Brief)
What Matters: TV still rules
New Media Voices: King Charles III, WHCD shooter, and James Comey
Leading FOX: Artemis II and the WHCD attacker
Trending: Seattle and Los Angeles
What the Right is Writing: Quality Learing Center
✍️ WHAT MATTERS AND WHERE WE’RE GOING…
Nathan’s quick take on where we’re headed…
The Media Insight Project with the Associated Press just released a thorough study about news consumption.
Some interesting nuggets: 57% of Americans said they avoid national politics news. Even more, 69%, say they avoid news on social media. Even in the era of New Media, only 28% said they listen to podcasts to get their news.
While the shift is coming to alternative platforms - especially among younger viewers - television remains the dominant medium for older Americans. - NRB
What do you think of The Brand Brief? Let us know.
🎙️ NEW MEDIA VOICES
The Megyn Kelly Show - 4/29
Kelly and guest Tristan Harris of the Center for Humane Technology discuss the need to protect humanity against AI’s potential for autonomous self-preservation and hacking
She analyzes the indictment of former FBI Director James Comey for threatening President Trump via an 86-47 post, raises concerns about Secret Service failures and the influence of inflammatory rhetoric
Kelly describes selective justice between January 6th versus the Black Lives Matter riots
Guest Victor Davis Hanson discusses a potential deal with Iran, OPEC’s role in global oil prices, and gives an update on his cancer diagnosis
The Ben Shapiro Show - 4/29
Shapiro criticizes King Charles III as hypocritical, arguing Great Britain’s decline is due to its embrace of pacifism, socialism, and open borders
He argues left-wing rhetoric is fueling violence against President Trump, as seen in Cole Allen’s manifesto
Shapiro contends the United States’ economic blockade and actions against Iran’s shadow banking are superior to past foreign policy
He blames academic decline at American universities to foreign funding and antisemitism, calls for legal reform
Shapiro weighs the effectiveness of FCC action against ABC over Jimmy Kimmel, arguing in favor of social ostracization
The Michael Knowles Show - 4/29
Knowles argues the mainstream left has normalized or justified violence, exemplified by Cole Allen and a jihadist’s plot against a Taylor Swift concert
He aligns with President Trump’s emphasis on American heritage being rooted in British connections rather than solely an abstract idea, lamenting the decline of intellectualism and historical literacy
Knowles emphasizes the necessity of executive power to reestablish order, touching on issues ranging from January 6th to Iran
Allie Beth Stuckey’s “Relatable” - 4/29
Stuckey raises concerns about influencer Neeza Powers’ retransitioning narrative, after months of claiming a conversion to the Catholic faith
She condemns the “soul sickness” exhibited by self-proclaimed Christians who mocked Erika Kirk’s distress at the WHCD shooting
Stuckey critiques a viral trend of mothers influencing their sons’ childhood in an attempt to make them grow up to be gay
She stresses the significance of Christian heritage for Western nations in light of King Charles III’s visit from the UK
After Party with Emily Jashinsky - 4/29
Jashinsky and guests Scott Jennings of CNN and Ryan Grim of Drop Site debate American immigration and citizenship
She cites concerns about Biden’s handling of an open border, unmanageable surges in human population, and increases in human trafficking
The panel references contentions over ICE, the extent of free speech for international students on visas, and the belief in American exceptionalism
📺 LEADING FOX NEWS
The Five
Just days after the assassination attempt against President Trump, IL Gov. JB Pritzker claims he’s inciting violence, VP JD Vance demands liberals tone down rhetoric
FBI Director Kash Patel calls out MN Gov. Tim Walz for attempting to take credit for his department’s fraud investigation
War Sec. Pete Hegseth testified before Congress for the first time since the start of the Iran conflict yesterday
The panel talks about attending the state dinner with King Charles III
FOX & Friends
FOX interviews the Artemis II crew after they visited the Oval Office
The WHCD attacker is due in court today, took selfies with weapons in hotel room
President Trump says Iran will have to admit defeat, says the naval blockade is impenetrable, weighs reducing troops in Germany
Man in London stabs two Jewish men
Sheridan Gorman’s parents face in court the man accused of murdering their daughter
King Charles and Queen Camilla visit Virginia today
The Supreme Court strikes down a Louisiana redistricting map based on race, upholds Texas map
A hobby drone may have struck a United Airlines flight in San Diego
Only half of the 4,157 Pacific Palisade fire rebuilding permits have been approved, and 30 homes rebuilt, Spencer Pratt is outraising incumbent Karen Bass in the LA mayoral race
Steve tours Springfield, MO on his Route 66 tour
The House GOP approves ICE funding framework
The Tokyo airport uses humanoid robots to load baggage
Sen. Bernie Sanders hosts CCP-funded scientists at an AI hearing
Federal agents raid 22 fraud-affiliated Minneapolis businesses
Illinois lawmakers defend the Safe-T Act, which eliminated cash bail, after a police officer is killed
A Louisiana sheriff is indicted for jailbreaking 10 inmates
FOX Newsroom
The Royal Family lays a wreath at Arlington Cemetery
Florida passes Gov. Ron DeSantis’ redistricting map, after the Supreme Court knocks down Louisiana map, approves Texas plan
US-Venezuela flights resume after a seven year hiatus
Iranian oil tankers pile up outside US blockade, Ayatollah issues new threats, US seeks to deploy hypersonic missile
Maine Gov. Janet Mills suspends her senatorial campaign, leaving Nazi-tattoo clad Graham Platner left as the sole Democrat contender
Saudi Arabia pulls funding on PGA rival golf league LIV
Illinois politicians are under fire for supporting policies that led to the death of a police officer
Republican Spencer Pratt is gaining ground against incumbent LA Mayor Karen Bass, state high speed rail budget jumps to $231 billion
Sen. Bernie Sanders hosts an AI forum with CCP-sided scientists
FBI raids target more than 20 fraudulent Minnesota businesses, TPUSA reporter Savannah Hernandez is interviewed about getting attacked in St. Paul
Erika Kirk speaks out against political violence against her family and President Trump, California gubernatorial candidate Katie Porter is under fire for threatening Trump in fundraising email just days after the WHCD shooting, Guest US Attorney Jeanine Pirro confirms the shooter hit Secret Service
Dana Perino’s Purple State is now a New York Times bestseller
Guest NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman hopes for moon return trip before end of Trump’s term
🍿 TRENDING AND POUNCING
Tomorrow’s news today…
California gubernatorial candidate Chad Bianco torches Katie Porter after she apparently tried recreating Kamala Harris’ “I’m speaking” moment. [X, Rugg]
Jasmine Crockett: I am one of the 535 most powerful people in this country. And for some reason, you think we on the same level, but you gonna disrespect me? [X, Lensman]
Seattle’s Socialist Mayor responds to exodus of wealth from Washington state by saying “BYE” ... then laughing. We’re doomed. [X, Kruse]
🗞️ WHAT THE RIGHT IS WRITING
FOX News Digital
Maritime spies catch $800M oil scheme as Trump’s naval blockade squeezes Iran [FOX News]
US weighs deploying ‘Dark Eagle’ hypersonic missile for possible Iran strike [FOX News]
TPUSA reporter speaks out for first time after three indicted in viral assault case [FOX News]
Breitbart
House Dem Floats Execution for Hegseth: ‘Guilty’ of War Crimes Like Nazi Submarine Captains [Breitbart]
DOJ Ups Ante, Issues Arrest Warrant For Former FBI Director James Comey [Breitbart]
Wall Street Journal Editorials
A Victory for Voting Rights at the Supreme Court [WSJ Ed]
A 9-0 Ruling for Pregnancy Center Donors [WSJ Ed]
Kevin Warsh Inherits a Fracturing Fed [WSJ Ed]
A Medicaid Fraud Check-Up [WSJ Ed]
New York Post
Infamous ‘Quality Learing Center’ is now totally abandoned after FBI conducts massive fraud raid in Minneapolis [NYP]
Washington Free Beacon
Mayor Mamdani Unleashes Door-Knocking Campaign To Advance Rent Freeze [WFB]
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