The worst topic
The Brand Brief 7.8.26: Graham Platner, Charlie Kirk, NATO, Marco Rubio, Zohran Mamdani, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and Mark Kelly
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…
1,309 words | 6 minute read | Written to be skimmable (11+ hours of media covered in The Brand Brief)
What Matters: Charlie’s killer in court
New Media Voices: The handling of Tyler Robinson’s hearing
Leading FOX: Trump, NATO, and Graham Platner
Trending: Platner and the Odyssey
What the Right is Writing: NATO, Platner, and Mamdani
✍️ WHAT MATTERS AND WHERE WE’RE GOING…
Nathan’s quick take on where we’re headed…
We’re back! And with the worst topic (sorry!).
We’ve gone to great lengths to avoid Candace Owens, largely because she doesn’t host a conservative news and commentary show anymore. It belongs in the fever-dream, fact-free murder mystery genre. Relying on viewer “tips,” Candace has spent EVERY EPISODE this year on one of two topics: the assassination of Charlie Kirk or her grievances with The Daily Wire.
This week, traditional conservative media voices pleaded on-air for her to stop her act as the trial of Tyler Robinson gets underway. But Candace doesn’t care. Here’s why: when she swapped news for this “investigation,” her numbers soared.
Strategic programming note: She might not host a conservative show, but unfortunately, she still draws conservative listeners. - NRB
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🎙️ NEW MEDIA VOICES
The Megyn Kelly Show - 7/7
Kelly argues the rape allegation against Graham Platner is a significant blow to the integrity of Democrats to swing voters
She condemns left-wing outlets like the New York Times for allegedly covering Platner’s history of sexual assault allegations, and endorsers like Sen. Bernie Sanders for denying past red flags
Kelly criticizes the handling of evidence in the Tyler Robinson pretrial hearing, worries about an overreliance on text messages over DNA
She speculates on who would take over Sen. Mitch McConnell’s seat if he passes in the hospital
The Ben Shapiro Show - 7/7
Shapiro argues Candace Owens is irresponsibly promoting conspiracy theories regarding the assassination of Charlie Kirk
He condemns her unfounded claims that Tyler Robinson is innocent, while trying to shift the blame to his widow Erika Kirk
Shapiro argues there is a clear timeline surrounding Kirk’s assassination, as well as proof of matching murder weapons
He condemns Tucker Carlson for floating conspiracies at Kirk’s funeral, and Megyn Kelly for not calling out the behavior of her friends in media
The Isabel Brown Show - 7/7
Brown argues conspiracy theories have distorted the public perception of Tyler Robinson being guilty of assassinating Charlie Kirk
Watching footage of the trial in a Freedom shirt, she argues the prosecution has strong evidence including witnesses and video footage
She points out emotional reactions from the jury and judge upon seeing a new angle of Kirk’s death
Brown criticizes the defense’s attempts to throw out evidence, like claiming certain videos were altered
Human Events Daily - 7/8
As a friend of Charlie Kirk, Posobiec argues the chaos surrounding Tyler Robinson’s hearing highlights the importance of family values
He slams the defense for using delay tactics, saying it undermines justice for the Kirk family
Posobiec calls out the State of Utah for its handling of evidence admissibility, particularly when establishing Robinson’s state of mind
He argues the number of confessions and DNA evidence suggests a plea deal may be the only way for Robinson to avoid the death penalty
Pod Force One - 7/8
Miranda Devine argues the U.S. education system is failing, citing the focus on ideological battles rather than literacy and phonics
She interviews Sec. Linda McMahon on her concerns over parental rights in education, particularly regarding gender identity
Devine and McMahon condemn universities for ignoring antisemitism on campus and for continuing to practice DEI hiring policies
They reflect on the impact of athletes like Riley Gaines for calling out the hypocrisy of trans people competing in women’s sports
McMahon shares her journey working in professional wrestling, reflecting on balancing marriage and business with her husband Vince
📺 LEADING FOX NEWS
The Five
A woman has accused Democrat candidate Graham Platner of rape, Rep. Ro Khanna and Sen. Bernie Sanders rescind their endorsements
Trump arrives in Turkey for NATO Summit after threatening to leave the alliance, resuming strikes in Iran
Team USA loses to Belgium, liberals indifferent after rooting for other countries
FOX & Friends
President Trump says he believes the ceasefire is over during NATO talks in Turkey, speaks live with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy
Sen. Bernie Sanders, other former endorsers tell Graham Platner to drop out from the Maine senatorial race
A family dog saves a young boy from being mauled by a bear in Connecticut
A Manhattan highrise is at risk of collapse due to structural concerns
During the Tyler Robinson trial, new evidence shows him eating at Chick-Fil-A before his alleged assassination of Charlie Kirk, walking around a parking garage with a limp
New Jersey police seek to solve the homicide of Brooke Hanlon
Team USA thanks the country for supporting them in the World Cup
TX Gov. Greg Abbott investigates a hospital for “birth tourism” billboards along the border
🍿 TRENDING AND POUNCING
Tomorrow’s news today…
Here’s one of the 40+ ads made by Fold Agency. It claimed Graham Platner, an alleged rapist, helped pass a rape kit bill in Maine. Was this an early attempt to inoculate their client? [X, Jaspers]
Four innocent Americans kiIIed by foreign truck drivers in just the past two weeks. Democrats sued Trump when he tried passing a rule to stop people we don’t speak English from getting CDLs. These deaths could’ve been prevented. [X, LibsofTikTok]
It’s not “just a podcast,” it’s new media Jerry [X, Bakke]
🗞️ WHAT THE RIGHT IS WRITING
FOX News Digital
US retaliates with 80 targets hit as Strait of Hormuz tensions erupt again [FOX News]
Tyler Robinson, Lance Twiggs’ DNA found on key evidence in Charlie Kirk assassination [FOX News]
Graham Platner slammed with new allegation day after bombshell rape accusation [FOX News]
Breitbart
Trump: Ceasefire with ‘Cuckooo’ Iran Is Over [Breitbart]
Top Democrats Who Backed Graham Platner Through Controversy and Allegations [Breitbart]
Dem. Sen. Mark Kelly Torched for Wearing Mexico Jersey: ‘Clown’ [Breitbart]
Wall Street Journal Editorials
Why Did They Cover for Graham Platner? [WSJ Ed]
No More Oil Sanctions Waiver for Iran [WSJ Ed]
New Jersey Makes a Medicaid Money Grab [WSJ Ed]
French Lawfare and Marine Le Pen [WSJ Ed]
New York Post
Accused rapist Graham Platner spotted at Maine home as he holds Dem party hostage [NYP]
US Education Secretary warns Harvard that she will use the ‘hammer’ if Ivy school doesn’t correct DEI errors [NYP]
Washington Free Beacon
Anatomy of a Hype Job: How the New York Times Boosted Graham Platner [WFB]
Washington Reporter
Senate candidate caught hiding campaign cash he funneled to his wife’s company [Reporter]
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