Redeem the time
The Brand Brief 2.19.26: Ben Sasse, Prince Andrew, JD Vance, Jasmine Crockett, Mark Zuckerberg, Stephen Colbert, Stephen A. Smith, Zohran Mamdani, and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez
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…
1,496 words | 7 minute read | Written to be skimmable (13+ hours of media covered in The Brand Brief)
What Matters: “We don’t build storehouses that last”
New Media Voices: Epstein and Rhode Island shooter
Leading FOX: Epstein, Guthrie, and Jasmine Crockett
Trending: Ossoff, Potomac poop, and Prince Andrew
What the Right is Writing: Prince Andrew, Mamdani, and Colbert
✍️ WHAT MATTERS AND WHERE WE’RE GOING…
Nathan’s quick take on where we’re headed…
When death is close, candor follows.
Ben Sasse knows this, and his recent podcast appearances aren’t just interviews - they’re clarifying and instructive.
As he battles pancreatic cancer, his candid reflection on life, faith, and politics is not only an incredible testimony but a reminder of something often lacking in media: authenticity.
Watch the interviews. Take stock of what matters most. And be more like Ben Sasse - you have nothing to lose. - NRB
I would love to hear your feedback - survey here. Thank you!
🎙️ NEW MEDIA VOICES
The Megyn Kelly Show - 2/18
Following the massive Epstein files dump, documents show no evidence of his child trafficking after 2008, shifting to adult women who may have been earlier victims or also trafficked
Guests Emily Jashinsky, Ryan Grim, and Michael Shellenberger say the files show strong connections to Bill Clinton, Prince Andrew, Larry Summers, Bill Gates, and Israeli officials
In the Nancy Guthrie case, the glove DNA doesn’t match any family or FBI data, and there are no breakthroughs on gun store or Walmart purchase history
Google Trends data shows multiple prior searches from Arizona for Nancy’s address and Savannah’s salary shortly before the abduction
Kelly and panelists Jim Fitzgerald, Maureen O’Connell, and Will Geddes say the sheriff repeatedly gave ambiguous or contradictory answers
TMZ’s Harvey Levin received another ransom note demanding $6 million in crypto, despite him promising not to announce more letters
The Ben Shapiro Show - 2/18
Shapiro critiques the legacy media for obscuring the transgender identity and neo-Nazi ideology of a Rhode Island shooter to protect political narratives
He analyzes Stephen Colbert’s criticism of CBS for spiking an interview with Democrat James Talarico to avoid triggering FCC equal time rules.
Shapiro shames Dave Chappelle’s activism and Spike Lee’s pro-Palestinian attire at an NBA game.
Guest Buck Sexton discusses his book, Manufacturing Delusion, exploring how mass hysteria and propaganda techniques are used to manipulate public perception on issues like COVID and gender
The Brett Cooper Show - 2/18
Cooper analyzes the Rhode Island hockey rink shooting committed by Robert Dorgan, characterizing it as a tragedy fueled by domestic violence and severe mental illness
She details the shooter’s contradictory background as a transgender individual who supported far-right figures, arguing online radicalization targets mentally unstable people regardless of their ideology
Cooper criticizes the “toxic empathy” of affirming delusions, which she believes prevents necessary psychiatric treatment
Allie Beth Stuckey’s “Relatable” - 2/18
Allie celebrates her 34th birthday by highlighting Scarlet Hope, a ministry serving exploited women
She exposes the falsehood behind Stephen Colbert’s claim the FCC tried to censor his James Talarico interview, explaining it was standard equal-time legal guidance from CBS
Stuckey refutes Talarico’s progressive theology, citing Scripture to counter his assertions that the Bible implies support for abortion or gay marriage
She recaps moderating the Texas Republican Attorney General debate, focusing on the candidates’ stances regarding border security, federal overreach, and pro-life enforcement
Stuckey criticizes the bizarre trend of adults using American Girl dolls to stage protests against ICE
After Party with Emily Jashinsky - 2/18
Jashinsky and guest Ana Kasparian analyze the Stephen Colbert and James Talarico controversy, concluding CBS likely self-censored due to corporate legal fears rather than a direct FCC ban
They discuss a New York Times focus group where Democrat voters unanimously preferred a progressive candidate over a moderate
Kasparian agrees with Stephen A. Smith’s comments downplaying the idea of systemic racism
The pair critique AOC’s foreign policy knowledge and discuss Zohran Mamdani’s reversal on homeless encampment sweeps in New York City
Jashinsky highlights new Jeffrey Epstein emails that appear to show a professional trafficking operation involving code words and procurement for elite associates
📺 LEADING FOX NEWS
The Five
The FBI reached out to the Mexican government on the Nancy Guthrie case, no connection found
CBS says Stephen Colbert lied about being told to shelve his James Talarico interview, other Democrat TX Senate candidate Jasmine Crockett tries to get involved
Trump tells state Democrat leaders to “call me and ask politely” about helping with the Potomac River sewage disaster
IL Gov. JB Pritzker is offended by question about whether he’s on a GLP-1 medication, numerous 2028 candidates release memoirs
HHS Sec. RFK, Jr. and Kid Rock team up to create a humorous video encouraging Americans to exercise, Kennedy jumps in a pool in jeans
A judge rules that boneless wings are still chicken wings, in a Buffalo Wild Wings lawsuit
FOX & Friends
Ex-Prince Andrew has been arrested for his connections to Jeffrey Epstein, former Margaret Thatcher advisor Nile Gardiner responds
Retired Brig. Gen. John Teichert reacts as U.S. airstrikes could hit Iran this weekend, and President Trump plans first Board of Peace meeting
The FBI is looking to use vehicle data to find Nancy Guthrie, still no motive given
After cutting 5,000 NYPD officers, NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani pours millions into “racial equity” positions
NYU Langone Hospital has discontinued its minor transgender treatment program
Mark Zuckerberg testified yesterday on teen social media addiction
Good Samaritan Michael Black is interviewed on disarming the Rhode Island hockey rink shooter
Guest AR Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders reacts to a new op-ed warning Democrats they may have already lost 2028, Trump heads to Georgia today to address affordability
In the deadliest U.S. avalanche in decades, at least eight skiers were killed and six were rescued near Lake Tahoe, CA
FOX Newsroom
President Trump speaks live at the first Board of Peace meeting, says U.S. will pledge $10 billion toward the council, EU nations warn citizens to leave Iran, former NSC Chief of Staff Alex Gray discusses negotiations
Ex-Prince Andrew has been arrested for “misconduct” tied to the Jeffrey Epstein files, the family of an Epstein victim reacts
Nancy Guthrie’s investigators are using genetic genealogy to find her abductor
Politicians point fingers after hundreds of millions of gallons of raw sewage poured into the Potomac River this month
Guest Rep. Bryan Steil discusses Democrat efforts to block the SAVE Act, which would institute voter ID in federal elections
Mark Zuckerberg testified in Los Angeles yesterday in the teen social media addiction
President Trump visits Georgia today to address the economy
🍿 TRENDING AND POUNCING
Tomorrow’s news today…
JD Vance obliterates AOC at Board of Peace meeting: [X, LibsofTikTok]
Jon Ossoff tells Colbert that Trump being elected is the symptom of a “deeper disease” in US society. [X, Lensman]
Joe Rogan calls Zohran Mamdani “F*CKING PSYCHOPATH” [X, Cohen]
Nick Shirley gives update on arrest in Minnesota’s Feeding Our Future scandal [X, Shirley]
Watch as an anti-Trump protester attacks a Trump supporter with a flag pole in West Palm Beach. He immediately gets arrested by the police. [X, LibsofTikTok]
Pro-Trump woman calls out media at White House Black History Month event [X, Daugherty]
🗞️ WHAT THE RIGHT IS WRITING
FOX News Digital
Former Prince Andrew of the UK has been arrested [FOX News]
Trump convenes first ‘Board of Peace’ meeting [FOX News]
Authorities’ next move after no DNA match in Guthrie case [FOX News]
Breitbart
Stephen Colbert Trashes CBS’ Response on Pulled Talarico Interview [Breitbart]
Ghislaine Maxwell Played Substantial Role in Clinton Global Initiative [Breitbart]
Bruce Springsteen Calls Trump ‘Wannabe King’ While Announcing U.S. Tour [Breitbart]
Wall Street Journal Editorials
Mamdani Takes New York Hostage [WSJ Ed]
Xi Tries to Bully Trump on Taiwan [WSJ Ed]
A Welcome FDA Walkback on a Flu Vaccine [WSJ Ed]
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Does Geopolitics [WSJ Ed]
New York Post
Sheriff accused of turning Nancy Guthrie case into bungling ego trip — and FBI is desperate to take over [NYP]
NYC’s most poop-filled areas revealed — as dog waste complaints hit record highs [NYP]
Pro-ICE ads reminding Americans of ‘dangerous illegal immigrants’ Biden let in to run in swing states ahead of State of the Union [NYP]
Feds launch probe into California’s ‘blind eye’ on unemployment fraud [NYP]
Washington Free Beacon
New York Times Columnist Tom Friedman Plays His Readers for Fools—Again [WFB]
Washington Reporter
Vulnerable Dem lawmaker Laura Gillen under fire from both parties [Reporter]
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