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
đŁ Driving the ConversationâŚ
1,466 words | 6 minute read | Written to be skimmable (11+ hours of media covered in The Brand Brief)
What Matters: Do the pod bros matter on election day?
New Media Voices: Christiane Amanpour and Christina Applegate
Leading FOX: Roy Cooper, Mike Rogers, and Vivek Ramaswamy
Trending: Ndiaga Diagne, Ilhan Omar, and Marco Rubio
What the Right is Writing: Prince Harry, Angie Nixon, and Russia
âď¸ WHAT MATTERS AND WHERE WEâRE GOINGâŚ
Nathanâs quick take on where weâre headedâŚ
Every 2028 hopeful may want a seat across from Rogan or Von. Ben Shapiro argued this week that they're making the wrong bet.
Ben's math: Gen Z men's swing to Trump in 2024 was worth about 1.7M votes, roughly 1% of the electorate. Ben says the bigger prize is the Hispanic swing that was worth about 4.6M votes, and middle-aged men about 3.4M.
Bottom line: For all the attention legacy media gives to the "manosphere" and their suspected hold on young men, the right's podcast ecosystem is much broader, deeper, and diverse. These shows still drive news and generate moments, but Ben may have a point. - NRB
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đď¸ NEW MEDIA VOICES
The Megyn Kelly Show - 10/20
Kelly discusses allegations of immigration fraud involving Rep. Ilhan Omar, criticizing the FBI and media for their handling of the case
She attacks Ohio gubernatorial candidate Amy Acton for avoiding debates and questions her leadership during COVID-19
Guests from the Ruthless podcast warn Republicans face a difficult 2026 midterm due to President Trumpâs approval ratings, tariffs, and gas prices
Kelly raises concerns about Abdul El-Sayedâs alleged family ties to the Muslim Brotherhood and criticizes Sen. Elissa Slotkinâs remarks about holding Trump admin employees âaccountableâ
Actress Christina Applegateâs MS misdiagnosis led to discussing celebrities sharing health struggles and social mediaâs victimhood culture
The Ben Shapiro Show - 10/20
Shapiro blames European riots on mass migration, unsustainable welfare systems, and progressivism undermining Western values
He warns of Europeâs aging population and declining birth rates, arguing politicians use these trends to justify immigration
Shapiro discusses allegations that Rep. Ilhan Omar committed immigration fraud by marrying her brother
He condemns pro-Palestinian activists for vandalizing Brooklyn subway fare machines and a Capital One branch building
The Liz Wheeler Show - 10/20
Wheeler alleges that the DSA and allied officials are preparing to exploit post-midterm unrest
She accuses left-wing organizations and Democrat governors of coordinating plans to resist federal intervention, linking their strategy to color revolutions
Wheeler alleges that networks funded by Roy Singham helped organize anti-ICE riots, and that USAID was funding political upheaval
She attacks six senators for challenging President Trumpâs military policies and accuses Sen. Elissa Slotkin of discouraging people from working in his administration
Making the Argument with Nick Freitas - 10/20
Freitas and guest Raymond Ibrahim argue that Islamic theology, rather than Western foreign policy alone, contributes to hostility toward the West
Ibrahim rejects the idea that Islam is inherently peaceful, arguing that traditional Islamic jurisprudence conflicts with religious freedom
They criticize European immigration policies, linking mass migration to sexual abuse scandals, church desecrations, and Sharia law
Ibrahim accuses progressives of forming an alliance with Islamists against Christianity, while Freitas criticizes U.S. aid to Egypt despite their ongoing persecution of Christians
The Trish Regan Show - 10/20
Regan discusses reports of major changes at CNN following its ownership transition, including Christiane Amanpourâs departure and possible cost-cutting affecting prominent anchors
She raises concerns about CNN and CBS News now falling under the same corporate umbrella, questioning whether editorial independence would be protected under new ownership
Regan praises independent journalist Nick Shirley for exposing Minnesota fraud, arguing traditional media failed to investigate
She discusses federal allegations of immigration fraud involving Rep. Ilhan Omar and criticizes MN Gov. Tim Walz for his handling of fraud scandals
Regan condemns Sen. Elissa Slotkinâs remarks about Trump administration employees and accuses CNNâs Abby Phillip of defending Slotkin through biased coverage
đş LEADING FOX NEWS
The Five
President Trump warns America will burn like France if Democrats win
James Carville tells The Bulwark Democrats are hostage to the DSA
An NBC poll roundup has Democrats leading in the midterms, from Roy Cooper in North Carolina to James Talarico in Texas
Oversight Democrats vow to probe Elon Musk if they win the midterms, while he pledges a SpaceX share for every American kid
Piers Morgan grills a viral Indiana Democrat candidate who admits âI had three beers, okay!â before a TV interview
A viral TikTok sparks a debate over crashing on a friendâs couch
FOX & Friends
President Zelenskyy tells FOX & Friends Ukraine needs security guarantees and is open to freezing front lines to end the war, as American Stephen Hubbard is released by Russia
President Trump plans 18 rallies in his final midterm push after a stop in Greenville, NC last night
Republican Mike Rogers and socialist Abdul El-Sayed offer clashing economic visions in the tight Michigan Senate race, Tudor Dixon reacts
Florida designates CAIR, an Islamic group, as a terror organization
The WNBA commissioner declares former NBA players as ineligible in the fight for womenâs sports
Jay-Z will allegedly headline the 2027 NFL Super Bowl
Conservative students react to Sen. Elissa Slotkin trying to intimidate young GOP staffers
French President Emmanuel Macron denies foreign influence behind the Paris protests
An attack ad in the Ohio gubernatorial race features Democrat opponent Amy Atkinsâ estranged mother
Martha MacCallum shares her new book, The Book of Valor
Suspects are re-arrested in a terror probe in Fairford, England
Guest Piers Morgan weighs in as Prince Harry says of the royal rift, âI want it to work outâ
đż TRENDING AND POUNCING
Tomorrowâs news todayâŚ
Elon Musk reveals that Ndiaga Diagne, the Muslim man who killed 3 people in Austin, was an ex-Tesla employee whom he fired. Diagne was fired after he assaulted a woman for stepping on his prayer rug. Months later, he carried out the shooting. [X, LibsofTikTok]
Woman says she was âbrainwashed for the first 30 years of my life.â After seeing the France riots, sheâs awake. [X, Wall Street Apes]
Marco Rubio just dropped this truth nuke on Zelenskyy acting ungrateful. âIf it were not for the assistance of the US, there would be no Ukraine right now. Ukraine as a sovereign state would not exist.â [X, Daugherty]
đď¸ WHAT THE RIGHT IS WRITING
FOX News Digital
Imprisoned American teacher Stephen Hubbard released by Russia [FOX News]
Trump rallies in South Carolina with 13 days until midterms [FOX News]
Trump weighs in as France grapples with unrest [FOX News]
Breitbart
Rubio Accuses Iran of âNazi U-Boat Tactics,â Warns Itâs âTough to Make a Dealâ with âRadical Shia Clericsâ [Breitbart]
Trump to Tout âAmerica Firstâ Immigration Victories in North Carolina [Breitbart]
Alyssa Farah Griffin: âThe Next Republicanâ Presidential Nominee Wonât Be MAGA [Breitbart]
Trump Weighs Next Move Against Iran: âThe Nice Way or the Not Nice Wayâ [Breitbart]
Wall Street Journal Editorials
Trumpâs New Global Triumvirate? [WSJ Ed]
Russia Arrests Another Journalist [WSJ Ed]
Flying the Socialist Skies at United [WSJ Ed]
Defining âAffordableâ Housing in New York [WSJ Ed]
New York Post
Todd Blanche tells âPod Force Oneâ Ilhan Omar will be given one right Trump was denied during indictments [NYP]
Prince Harry says reconciling with royals is âkey,â but Charles and William see things differently: sources [NYP]
Kathy Hochul pushing to announce chipmaking plant in Utica, NY, despite AI data center ban: sources [NYP]
Washington Free Beacon
Socialist Angie Nixon Has Received $70K in Unexplained Wages This Year From Obscure Company Run by Anti-ICE Activist [WFB]
Washington Reporter
Dr. Brian Cox: Postponed Palestinian elections expose blunder of âstatehoodâ recognition [Reporter]
FBI and DOJ tout historic success for Indian Country through Operation Not Forgotten [Reporter]
Mike Efaw: Republicans who stand with unions are overperforming electorally [Reporter]
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