The SPLC media gap
The Brand Brief 4.22.26: The SPLC, Ilhan Omar, Abigail Spanberger, Whoopi Goldberg, Mark Cuban, Kevin Warsh, Graham Platner, Xi Jinping, 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…
1,371 words | 6 minute read | Written to be skimmable (13+ hours of media covered in The Brand Brief)
What Matters: Conservatives had it right
New Media Voices: SPLC and Virginia
Leading FOX: Whoopi Goldberg, Virginia elections, Chris Murphy
Trending: Ilhan Omar and Charlie Kirk
What the Right is Writing: Missing scientists and Iran
✍️ WHAT MATTERS AND WHERE WE’RE GOING…
Nathan’s quick take on where we’re headed…
The Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) reckoning this week brought vindication, not surprise, to conservative media. It is a case study in media failure: legacy outlets didn’t just ignore the story, they fundamentally botched it as the right investigated.
For years, conservative reporters documented SPLC corruption, while mainstream peers upheld the group as an unimpeachable authority. The DOJ’s announcement didn’t break news; it simply confirmed what conservatives had known all along. - NRB
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🎙️ NEW MEDIA VOICES
The Megyn Kelly Show - 4/21
Kelly and guests Rich Lowry and Charles C. W. Cooke of the National Review criticize Kamala Harris’ inauthenticity and inconsistent standing in 2028 Democratic primary polls
They discuss President Trump’s likely intentional contradictions on the Iran war as a negotiation tactic
They discuss the future of Republican contenders like JD Vance, Marco Rubio, Donald Trump, Jr. and Ron DeSantis, and Trump’s future influence on the party
The panel addresses the “incestuous” nature of Washington media events like the White House Correspondents’ Dinner
The Ben Shapiro Show - 4/21
Shapiro asserts AI can be used to win against China, and that we must adapt to stay ahead
He warns a pervasive “grievance culture” on both the left and right threaten America’s technological future by fostering dependency
He describes threats including those targeting data centers or essential military contracting
Shapiro criticizes Democrats for employing power-grabbing strategies like gerrymandering, pushing for statehood for Puerto Rico and DC, and packing the Supreme Court
The Michael Knowles Show - 4/21
Knowles describes liberalism as a corrosive acid, associates the decline in young people’s happiness with the lower birth rate
He condemns Israel’s largest LGBTQ Pride Festival that he says is near the location of Sodom and Gomorrah
He describes the Virginia redistricting mandate as a power grab
He reacts to The Onion acquiring Infowars, and Tucker Carlson’s supposed regret for endorsing President Trump
The Tony Kinnett Cast - 4/21
Kinnett reacts to the DOJ indicting the Southern Poverty Law Center for wire fraud, false statements, and laundering money to white supremacist groups
Iran has rejected an extended ceasefire amidst a fragmented regime response, further complicated by the naval blockade and Sen. Chris Murphy’s controversial tweet
He highlights members that have left Congress like Eric Swalwell for sexual abuse, and others that are at risk like Rep. Ilhan Omar for fraud
He associates the Virginia redistricting election with Gov. Abigail Spanberger’s severe decline in popularity
Kinnett expresses concerns about Senate Republicans’ effectiveness at budget reconciliation
He advocates for expanding energy infrastructure, such as a proposed Alaska-Japan/South Korea liquid natural gas pipeline
Timcast IRL - 4/21
Pool addresses how the Southern Poverty Law Center funded white supremacist groups it publicly opposed, describing how NGOs secretly manipulate public discourse, guest Donnie Discerned reacts
The panel critiques both Republican and Democratic strategies regarding gerrymandering, and illegal immigration’s impact on electoral seats
They question Tucker Carlson’s sincerity in regretting voting for Trump, speculating on his political ambitions
The panel discusses the “Great Reset,” the Antichrist, and end-times scenarios involving AI and cashless transactions
📺 LEADING FOX NEWS
The Five
Sen. Chris Murphy tries to say his “awesome” comment about Iranian ships bypassing the American blockade was “sarcasm,” President Trump extends ceasefire
Sen. Bernie Sanders launches a TPUSA alternative
The panel says Gov. Gavin Newsom is “quiet quitting” California by traveling, focusing on his presidential campaign
The View’s Whoopi Goldberg claims the Trump admin will start a draft
FOX & Friends
Three ships were attacked by Iran, peace talks on hold as ceasefire extends, Sen. Chris Murphy defends his “awesome” tweet about Iran bypassing the blockade as sarcasm
The genetic parents of a baby involved in a Florida IVF mixup have been found, leaving the guardian parents potentially in a custody battle
Minnesota eases drinking laws, allowing “happy hours” in nursing homes
Savannah Chrisley spoke at a TPUSA rally in Columbus, OH, Lawrence interviews Vivek Ramaswamy and event attendees
The Southern Poverty Law Center gave millions to white supremacist groups to create racist events to react to
The FAA is investigating yet another close call, this time at JFK airport
OpenAI is under fire for aiding the Florida State shooter
The Virginia redistricting referendum passed at 51.5% of the votes
Steve interviews Mark Cuban on the streets of Pittsburgh, PA
FOX Newsroom
Iran fires on ships in Strait of Hormuz, 30 countries are meeting in London to address reopening the waterway
Southern Poverty Law Center is caught giving more than $3 million to groups like the KKK, Unite the Right
House Majority Whip Tom Emmer calls out Rep. Ilhan Omar’s allegedly fraudulent financial disclosures to Congress
Ruthless Podcast host Josh Holmes calls the Virginia redistricting mandate disenfranchising for the majority of the state residents
Senate Majority Leader John Thune is interviewed on Democrats trying to force a War Powers vote
One killed, 13 injured in a mass shooting in Mexico City
Lori Schott, whose daughter committed suicide due to online bullying, is interviewed on the push for online safety policy
Fed Chair nominee Kevin Warsh faced pressure from Democrats during his nomination hearing over his wealth
Commerce Sec. Howard Lutnick and Treasury Sec. Scott Bessent testify on affordability
A Massachusetts doctor has been indicted for 81 counts of sexual assault
The Artemis III launch faces budget and technical concerns
🍿 TRENDING AND POUNCING
Tomorrow’s news today…
Ilhan Omar lost it on a reporter for asking about her massive net worth change. [X, Sortor]
Elizabeth Warren grilled on support of Graham Platner [X, RNC Research]
A day before Charlie Kirk was ass*ssinated, the SPLC put him and TPUSA in their “HateWatch Newsletter.” They effectively put him on a hit list with a target on his back. [X, LibsofTikTok]
🗞️ WHAT THE RIGHT IS WRITING
FOX News Digital
Ships reportedly attacked in key oil route after Trump extends ceasefire [FOX News]
Virginia vote hands Democrats redistricting power, sparks ‘power grab’ outcry from GOP [FOX News]
US military launches first-ever autonomous warfare command to deploy unmanned systems across Latin America [FOX News]
Breitbart
Virginia Gerrymander Scheme Passes: 49% of Voters Will Get 9% Representation in Congress [Breitbart]
Trump Announces Ceasefire Extension Until Iran Submits ‘Unified Proposal’ [Breitbart]
Marlow: Iran Counting on American Media to Pressure Trump [Breitbart]
Trump: I Won’t Let Democrats Rush Me into Less-Than Optimal Iran Deal [Breitbart]
Wall Street Journal Editorials
Oncologists vs. the FDA and RFK Jr. [WSJ Ed]
When Elizabeth Warren and Donald Trump Agree [WSJ Ed]
A Quiet U.S. Favor for Xi Jinping [WSJ Ed]
Tom Barrack Has His Own Mideast Policy [WSJ Ed]
New York Post
Trump gives promising update on potential new peace talks — as Iran scrambles to come up with ‘unified’ plan [NYP]
Evidence uncovered in New Mexico may help solve at least one disappearance linked to missing scientists [NYP]
Dr. Oz touts ‘Fraud War Room,’ ending payments to 400 hospices in California over fears of $100B fraud [NYP]
Washington Free Beacon
Maryland Governor Wes Moore’s ‘Climate Study’ Is Bankrolled by Left-Wing Rockefeller Fund Amid Push To Force Oil Companies To Pay Billions in Damages [WFB]
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