The one issue uniting all of conservative media
The Brand Brief 6.10.26: Jesse Ridgway, Bill Gates, Karmelo Anthony, Spencer Pratt, Graham Platner, Tim Walz, and missing scientists
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…
1,283 words | 6 minute read | Written to be skimmable (12+ hours of media covered in The Brand Brief)
What Matters: So slow
New Media Voices: California, Karmelo Anthony, and Jesse Ridgway
Leading FOX: Platner, Walz, and the SPLC
Trending: Crockett and Platner
What the Right is Writing: Maine, California, and missing scientists
✍️ WHAT MATTERS AND WHERE WE’RE GOING…
Nathan’s quick take on where we’re headed…
It’s rare for the conservative new media ecosystem to speak with one voice. The unifying exception? The mess that is California’s election system.
This week, dozens of the conservative commentators we track are highlighting the slow trickle of mail-in ballots, homeless voters, alleged fraud, and Spencer Pratt slipping to third place after Nithya Raman surged with late-arriving votes.
But while California’s process is unpopular on the right, some Democrats view it as a model. Graham Platner just admitted, “If I had my way, elections would last two months.” - NRB
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🎙️ NEW MEDIA VOICES
The Megyn Kelly Show - 6/9
Kelly discusses the verdict of Karmelo Anthony, noting how the judge allowed the jury to consider a manslaughter charge
She reflects on race relations in America, referencing the legacies of figures like Barack Obama and John McCain in shaping discourse
Guest Buckley Carlson reacts to the beheading attempt in Northern Ireland by an African migrant, shares stories of growing up with Tucker and their father
They discuss President Trump’s relationship with Benjamin Netanyahu, Mark Levin, and other pro-Israel commentators
Kelly criticizes California election integrity, pointing to perceived vote manipulation and Gov. Gavin Newsom’s impact on crime, homelessness
The Ben Shapiro Show - 6/9
Shapiro argues the left’s perception of Trump-supporting men has hindered their ability to connect with male voters, as highlighted by James Talarico’s contradictions and effeminate nature
Graham Platner is endorsed by Bernie Sanders despite his past being wrought with racism, sexism, and hatred for fellow vets
He argues the masculinity crisis has been exacerbated by figures like Andrew Tate, who promotes domestic abuse and financial exploitation
Shapiro says smartphone pornography has caused declining birth rates and an upside down dating culture
He also says ballot harvesting and the potential for voter fraud in California only adds legitimate fuel to the fire for conspiracy theorists
The Isabel Brown Show - 6/9
Brown discusses the rising trend of birth control usage among young women, but also those who are looking for healthier alternatives
Dr. Sarah Hill emphasizes the importance of understanding the side effects on mental health and chronic conditions like PCOS
One college student panelist points out the stigma surrounding birth control in conservative communities, the inability to discuss alternatives
Another student points out the generational shift in attitudes towards seeking medical help for unexplained infertility
Two women stress the importance of informed consent and comprehensive education about reproductive health in schools
The Liz Wheeler Show - 6/9
Wheeler reacts to election fraud claims in the Los Angeles mayoral race between Nithya Raman and Spencer Pratt
She argues extensive mail-in voting creates vulnerabilities, including issues with signature verification, ballot harvesting by the DSA, and paying homeless people to vote
Wheeler points out how Speaker Mike Johnson has proposed withholding federal funding from California until reforms are enacted
The Brett Cooper Show - 6/9
Cooper shames YouTuber Jesse Ridgway and his wife for choosing to abort their child due to him potentially having Downs Syndrome
She says it raises ethical questions about the exploitation of personal tragedies for content, especially given his history of scripted videos
Cooper argues the public’s reaction to Ridgway’s announcement illustrates the complex interplay between social media and personal decision-making
📺 LEADING FOX NEWS
The Five
Democrats try to blame President Trump for the Knicks’ loss at the NBA Finals
Maine takes the bait for Graham Platner
The U.S. brings back strikes against Iran after they took down an Apache helicopter, all passengers lived
James Talarico tries to claim he’s a “border security Democrat” and never wanted gender reassignment surgeries for minors
MN Gov. Tim Walz could face a criminal investigation
FOX & Friends
Iran attacks Kuwait, Bahrain, and Jordan, a drone boat rescued the downed U.S. Apache helicopter
Graham Platner beats Janet Mills in the Maine Democrat Senate primary by 72%, activists admit they missed the Nazi tattoo during the vetting process
Bill Gates will testify on the Epstein Files
NASA announces the crew for the Artemis III mission
Karmelo Anthony is sentenced to 35 years in prison for the first-degree murder of Austin Metcalf
William Pulte will take over current DNI Tulsi Gabbard’s position June 30th
The DOJ reports the SPLC funneled $4M to the KKK and other hate groups, the SPLC doubles down on its view of TPUSA
First Lady Melania Trump honors student AI innovators
🍿 TRENDING AND POUNCING
Tomorrow’s news today…
Crockett: “Black women live in agony every day that I promise the Metcalfs had never lived through.” [X, End Wokeness]
Platner: “There is nothing out there that’s actually concerning.” [X, MSNOW]
Austin Metcalf’s father delivered a very powerful message straight to his son’s murderer, Karmelo Anthony, after the 35-year prison sentence. “You can’t look me in the eyes but you can stab my f*cking son!” [X, Daugherty]
🗞️ WHAT THE RIGHT IS WRITING
FOX News Digital
Top takeaways from primary elections in Maine, South Carolina [FOX News]
US military strikes 20 targets inside Iran [FOX News]
Family of slain track star confronts Karmelo Anthony after guilty verdict, sentencing [FOX News]
Breitbart
Trump Warns Iran the Time for Talks Is Over: Act Now or ‘Pay the Price’ [Breitbart]
Texas Jury Finds Karmelo Anthony Guilty in the Murder of Austin Metcalf [Breitbart]
Poll: 55 Percent of Democrats Would Rather Live Outside the United States [Breitbart]
Wall Street Journal Editorials
Trump’s Latest Big Tax Increase [WSJ Ed]
Trump Nears the Big 8-0 [WSJ Ed]
Down Goes International Criminal Court Prosecutor Karim Khan [WSJ Ed]
Is California’s Election ‘Rigged’? [WSJ Ed]
New York Post
Bombshell videos of homeless on Skid Row confessing to getting paid to vote for Nithya Raman, Karen Bass emerge [NYP]
Reps. Laura Gillen, Mike Lawler push bipartisan bill that would slash New Yorkers’ federal taxes [NYP]
Skeletal remains of ‘missing scientist’ could indicate suicide — or murder: sources [NYP]
Washington Free Beacon
Hamas Turns Gaza Hospitals and Schools Into Torture Chambers as It Reestablishes Police State: Gazans Describe Horrific Interrogations, Beatings [WFB]
Washington Reporter
Sen. Eric Schmitt and Reps. August Pfluger and Greg Steube prep for the Congressional Baseball Game [Reporter]
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