The 19-point jump
The Brand Brief 5.14.26: Alex Murdaugh, Xi Jinping, Zohran Mamdani, Gavin Newsom, Kevin Warsh, and the CIA
NOTE: No Brand Brief this Friday or Monday. See you next Tuesday!
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…
1,415 words | 6 minute read | Written to be skimmable (12+ hours of media covered in The Brand Brief)
What Matters: Peak faith influence
New Media Voices: Moms, Murdaugh, and Mamdani
Leading FOX: China and South Carolina
Trending: Trump and Xi
What the Right is Writing: Taiwan, AOC, and Farage
✍️ WHAT MATTERS AND WHERE WE’RE GOING…
Nathan’s quick take on where we’re headed…
A recurring theme at The Brand Brief is the profound influence of faith on conservative new media. New Pew Research data underscores why:
Growing Influence: 37% of Americans say religion is gaining influence—a 19-point jump in just two years and the highest level Pew has ever recorded.
The Partisan Gap: 75% of Republicans view religion as a net positive for American life, nearly double the 38% of Democrats who feel the same.
Looking ahead: This Sunday’s Rededicate 250 event on the National Mall will draw a massive crowd of conservative leaders and faith figures. Expect a heavy presence from everyone from FOX News to the biggest stars in new media.
Bottom line: Faith is a pillar of the Right, and conservative new media is leaning into that reality. - NRB
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🎙️ NEW MEDIA VOICES
The Megyn Kelly Show - 5/13
Kelly reports on the South Carolina Supreme Court unanimously reversing Alex Murdaugh’s murder convictions for killing his wife Maggie and son Paul
Dr. Deborah Soh, author of Sextinction attributes a global decline in sex among young adults with porn, SSRIs and toxins lowering libido, and mental health
Kelly argues women’s rising success clashes with DEI policies suppressing male achievement, while social media creates unrealistic standards
Referencing Michael Jackson’s grooming allegations, Kelly sheds light on the importance of protecting your kids
Kelly shames cases like Bryon Noem favoring his sex life over the dignity of his children and defending the country
The Ben Shapiro Show - 5/13
Shapiro defends President Trump’s comments on the American economy and the Iran war, interpreting it as a strategic message to Iran regarding denuclearization
He contrasts the negative public sentiment on inflation and cost of living to polls showing greater trust in the GOP over Democrats
Shapiro criticizes NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s fiscal mismanagement and policies proposed by California gubernatorial candidates like Xavier Becerra
He condemns celebrity political activism, analyzes HBO’s Euphoria as a cautionary tale about OnlyFans, and questions historical narratives surrounding MLK Jr.
The Michael Knowles Show - 5/13
Knowles criticizes Christopher Nolan’s Odyssey adaptation for casting Lupita Nyong’o as Helen of Troy and trans actor Elliot Page as Achilles
He makes fun of LA Mayor Karen Bass’ proposed free prosthetic teeth for homeless drug addicts
Knowles highlights AOC’s surprising lead over establishment figures like Gavin Newsom and Kamala Harris, while also discussing Republican contenders like JD Vance and Marco Rubio
He dissects how propaganda can intercept American coverage of war, criticizing media outlets for misrepresenting President Trump’s statements on Iran, and reaffirms the admin’s opposition to “replacement migration”
After Party with Emily Jashinsky - 5/13
Jashinsky expresses concern over the SPLC’s federal fraud indictment, guest Gad Saad explores his concept of “suicidal empathy”
She and guest Joe Weil dive into the politicization of Big Tech and the mission of Unplugged to offer privacy-focused alternatives against pervasive surveillance
Jashinsky highlights data harvesting through commercial purchases, and the potential for “kill switch” technology in cars
She criticizes the censorship of the COVID-19 lab leak theory, which increasingly appears to have been suppressed by government agencies
Allie Beth Stuckey’s “Relatable” - 5/13
Stuckey acknowledges the positive aspects of President Trump’s new Moms.gov initiative, which aims to support expectant mothers with pregnancy care centers, but expresses disappointment with its promotion of IVF
She argues IVF is immoral for discarding human embryos, and argues the ability to choose based on traits is a form of eugenics
She criticizes both the Biden admin for removing in-person doctor visit requirements for the abortion pill, and the Trump admin for failing to reverse these changes
While frustrated, Stuckey notes Republicans are still significantly better at promoting pro-life policy than Democrats
She extends the conversation to a broader disdain for the TikTok-ification of relationships, assigning arbitrary rules to the unquantifiable process of finding your spouse
📺 LEADING FOX NEWS
The Five
President Trump says “I have a great relationship with Xi,” is greeted with flag-waving students in Beijing, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer claims Trump will concede to China
CNN warns Democrats could be facing an uphill battle for November, Michigan Democrat Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed called himself a physician without proof of credentials
Spencer Pratt says he’ll bring an end to pooping on the street in LA, incumbent Mayor Karen Bass promises free dentures to homeless
University of Central Florida graduates boo pro-AI commencement speaker out of fear new tech will take entry-level white collar jobs
Subscription fatigue is setting in as Americans have to pay multiple companies for just a few show options
FOX & Friends
President Trump arrives live at the Beijing state banquet, Xi Jinping offers a toast to being partners not rivals, China calls Taiwan the biggest risk to an alliance with America
VP JD Vance says the US is making progress toward peace with Iran, says fraud is not a “red state or blue state issue” ahead of his visit to Maine
Alex Murdaugh, a powerful South Carolina attorney charged with killing his son and wife, will get a second trial after a court clerk was accused of tainting the jury, his defense team is interviewed
Rep. Jim Jordan is interviewed on Virginia prosecutor Steve Descano being accused of favoring illegal immigrants over justice
FOX Newsroom
President Trump announces Xi Jinping will visit America in September, hold a two hour policy meeting, Bill explores the Beijing subway system, Rep. John Moolenaar interviewed on foreign relations, Jimmy Lai’s son demands his release
The Senate confirms Kevin Warsh as the next Federal Reserve chairman
The South Carolina Supreme Court overturns Alex Murdaugh’s double murder conviction, will go to retrial
Hundreds of electronically-monitored criminals have gone missing in Chicago
CIA whistleblower James Erdman testified on a COVID lab leak coverup yesterday
A ship seizure escalates tensions in the Strait of Hormuz
A plane crashes off the coast of Florida, all 11 passengers survive
VP JD Vance heads to Maine to look into $45M in alleged fraud
Education Sec. Linda McMahon testifies before Congress live on chronic absenteeism and low test scores
🍿 TRENDING AND POUNCING
Tomorrow’s news today…
They had the People’s Liberation Army military band play the YMCA at the end of the State Banquet. [X, Hou]
Bernie Moreno teased for spending bitcoins when they were worth $3,000 [TFC]
This is hilarious. They have literally changed Rubio’s name to get around the fact that he remains sanctioned (and therefore barred from) China. [X, Pulford]
🗞️ WHAT THE RIGHT IS WRITING
FOX News Digital
Trump, Xi align on key points in conflict with Iran [FOX News]
Iran tightens grip on key oil route, bringing traffic to ‘total halt’ [FOX News]
GOP senators demand Fauci indictment after explosive hearing [FOX News]
Breitbart
Nigel-Mentum! Report: Reform U.K. Would Oust Five Cabinet Ministers, over 110 Labour MPs in Election [Breitbart]
Poll Shows AOC Leading Field of Potential 2028 Democrat [Breitbart]
Doug Burgum: ‘Energy Island’ California’s Policies Increase National [Breitbart]
Wall Street Journal Editorials
The Truth About Hamas [WSJ Ed]
Pennsylvania’s New Education Hope [WSJ Ed]
Colorado Joins the Tax Increase Line [WSJ Ed]
Taiwan’s Advance on Self-Defense [WSJ Ed]
New York Post
Taiwan becomes flashpoint of Trump-Xi summit as Rubio warns Beijing of ‘repercussions’ for invasion [NYP]
Washington Free Beacon
A Texas Military Vet Dropped Out of Penn State Law School Rather Than Submit to Its Mandatory Anti-Racism Course [WFB]
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