“There will be a marble bust of me in Congress”
The Brand Brief 12.9.25: Kamala Harris, Erika Kirk, Jasmine Crockett, Tim Walz, Ilhan Omar, Gavin Newsom, Luigi Mangione, and Zohran Mamdani
Actionable media intel to keep you ahead: 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…
1,793 words | 8 minute read | Written to be skimmable (12+ hours of media covered in The Brand Brief)
What Matters: Kamala Harris grapples with irrelevancy
New Media Voices: Another Charlotte stabbing, Minnesota fraud, and Candace Owens
Leading FOX: Kirk, Mangione, and Maduro
Trending and Pouncing: Walz, Newsom, Omar
What the Right is Writing: Jasmine Crockett and Erika Kirk
✍️ WHAT MATTERS AND WHERE WE’RE GOING…
Nathan’s quick take on where we’re headed…
Some enter public service for the right reasons. Others clearly do not.
Kamala Harris, off a string of viral moments on her book tour, is convinced she’s secured her place in the history books. In a widely mocked quote to the NYTs, she declared:
“But there will be a marble bust of me in Congress. I am a historic figure like any vice president of the United States ever was.”
For someone defined by border failures and one of the shortest, weakest presidential campaigns in modern history, a marble bust may be the only legacy she gets. How sad. - NRB
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🎙️ NEW MEDIA VOICES
The Megyn Kelly Show - 12/8
Guest Walter Kirn shames the New York Times for waiting years to cover the Biden border disaster
Rep. Ilhan Omar calls Jewish Trump advisor Stephen Miller a Nazi, media hosts like Margaret Brennan and Abby Phillip give no pushback
Autism services in Minnesota ballooned from $3 million to nearly $400 million, and housing aid from $2.6 million to more than $100 million
A whistleblower report shares evidence of similar Somali fraud in Maine by Gateway Community Services CEO Abdullah Ali
MSNBC’s Rachel Maddow is under fire for denying the network’s liberal bias, as is Jimmy Kimmel’s wife Molly McNearney for calling him a “free speech victim”
The Ben Shapiro Show - 12/8
While the economy remains strong with a high stock market and low inflation and unemployment rates, Americans are still pressed by embedded inflation by Biden and high housing costs
A twice-deported Honduran immigrant allegedly stabbed a man, making it the second Charlotte, NC light rail stabbing this year
Despite clear evidence of a Somali fraud ring in Minnesota, the mainstream media is calling “racism”
Trump receives a new FIFA Peace Award for securing the 2026 World Cup, pardons ex-Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernández and Rep. Henry Cuellar
Sec. of War Pete Hegseth defends the “double-tap” drug boat strike, while Democrat Sen. Adam Schiff says it’s unconstitutional
After Party with Emily Jashinsky - 12/8
Jashinsky hosts a “Casual Monday” episode alongside guest Mark Halperin wearing gym gear, where they discuss an upcoming Big Tech debate with Ryan Grim and meeting fans
Rep. Jasmine Crockett has entered the Texas Senate primary, Halperin predicts she won’t break the Democrats’ losing streak
A NYT profile of podcaster Jennifer Welch fails to criticize her hateful remarks toward Charlie and Erika Kirk, Jimmy Kimmel’s contract is extended to 2027
Podcaster Tim Pool breaks on Candace Owens, says she is seeking to tear apart the conservative movement from within
Halperin predicts MTG’s influence will rapidly diminish, how GOP women are criticizing Speaker Mike Johnson, and the potential for expanded executive branch firing power
Singer Tish Hyman, from the Gold’s Gym trans abuser video, confronts Rep. Ro Khanna at a town hall on his views on women’s spaces
Allie Beth Stuckey’s “Relatable” - 12/8
Stuckey looks back at Jezebel Magazine hiring witches to curse Charlie Kirk, and how attacks on conservatives continue
Referencing both the Jezebel curses and a false rapture prediction, Stuckey says it’s important to place faith in God over man-made fears
Stuckey emphasizes the importance of focusing on Charlie Kirk’s legacy of evangelizing over recent internet conspiracies by Candace Owens
As Christians in politics, Stuckey says we can use trials for good (Romans 8:28) and to remember God’s hand in all things
While critics call Charlie’s memorial Christian nationalism, Stuckey says it was a testament to his love of both God and country
The Matt Walsh Show - 12/8
A Wisconsin Cinnabon employee was fired for saying the n-word to an angry Somali customer, Walsh questions the context
A jury acquitted a black man named Gary Edwards of second-degree assault after finding out his victim used the n-word after the attack
Sen. Tammy Duckworth and Rep. Seth Moulton both accuse Trump of war crimes for the “double-tap” strike in the Caribbean
Actress Sydney Sweeney addresses the American Eagle ad controversy, says she just loves the brand and was sad about the backlash
Walsh jokingly shames Trump for his bit about renaming American football to allow soccer to be called “football” in all countries
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey struggled to keep down Somali food in an effort to pander to his voters
📺 LEADING FOX NEWS
A look inside the FOX editorial decision-making…
The Five
Trump says he’ll do a better job at hosting the Kennedy Center Honors than Jimmy Kimmel, showed off his showman skills onstage
The NYT finally covers the Biden border disorder
Democrat Rep. Seth Moulton claims Trump will strike Americans next, after Venezuelan drug boat double-tap controversy
Somali Rep. Ilhan Omar plays victim in response to the Minnesota fraud case, calls Jewish Trump admin official Stephen Miller a Nazi
Actress Sydney Sweeney says in a People Magazine interview that she did the American Eagle ad because she loves the brand, is disappointed in the assumed white supremacist narrative
FOX & Friends
Guest Erika Kirk says life is more than a checklist, it’s about trusting in God and finding relationships, says the family is hanging in there, that faith is a muscle, the strength of motherhood
Guest Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt previews Trump’s Pennsylvania affordability rally today
Chicago’s AG claims they always cooperated with federal ICE officials
The Luigi Mangione trial resumes today
Venezuelan Dictator Nicolás Maduro is trying to “wait out” Trump’s actions
Investigative reporter Miranda Devine says how the FBI has accused the Biden White House of ignoring the January 6th pipe bomb case
Sen. Josh Hawley and Rep. Riley Moore are hosting an emergency summit on international Christian persecution today
Trump will sign a bill preventing states from creating individual AI regulations
The Miami mayoral race is looking close, as Democrat Eileen Higgins focuses on immigration and Republican Emilio Gonzalez targets affordability
Transportation Sec. Sean Duffy partners with HHS Sec. RFK, Jr. to finance exercise areas, playgrounds, and healthier food at airports
A family is suing Royal Caribbean cruise line after a man died from being served 33 drinks
Guest Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman shames NYC mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani, announces run for NY governor
Capitol Hill seeks to target Obamacare and healthcare affordability in 2026
FOX Newsroom
Preview of President Trump taking economic agenda on the road, updates on Fed rates, lower gas prices, and tariffs with Maria Bartiromo, and interview with White Deputy Chief of Staff James Blair
Luigi Mangione trial continues, update on the case including journals about escape plans after murder
Guest Karl Rove discusses the historical precedent for losing the president’s party’s majority in Congress during midterm elections
Rep. Jasmine Crockett joins the Texas Senator Democrat primary
The Supreme Court is expected to back Trump in the FTC court ruling
Guest ICE Director Todd Lyons says the second Charlotte light rail stabber is an illegal alien, says Illinois to release criminals
The DOJ is suing a Virginia school board for violating religious freedom with LGBTQ ideology
Department of Transportation unveils efforts to make airports healthier and friendlier with events including pull ups at the airport
Mamdani resists ICE, and appoints criminals to transition team
The Wall Street Journal reports on the mental health risks of using an AI chatbot for relational or therapeutic needs
Guest and “angel mom” Jennifer Bos says illegal immigration is what killed her daughter, blames Illinois government for ignoring federal law
Trump says on Truth Social that a SCOTUS decision ending tariffs would be a threat to national security
Guests Erin Maguire and Caroline Downey shame California Gov. Gavin Newsom for his immigration policy, discuss controversy around Pantone color of the year
🍿 TRENDING AND POUNCING
Tomorrow’s news today: highlights from the conversation on the right and what conservatives are “pouncing” on…
Tampon Tim Walz on his masculinity: “I think I scare them a little bit.” [X, RNC Research]
Trump grades his time in office: A-plus. A plus-plus-plus-plus-plus. [X, FactPost]
Trump rips Ilhan Omar for marrying her brother during Politico interview [X, RR47]
Randi Weingarten is blaming Trump for schools not reopening during COVID. Yes… the same woman who fought to keep schools closed. Unreal. [X, Libs of TikTok]
Cringe: Rapper performs song about Jasmine Crockett during her campaign launch [X, Daily Caller]
Kamala Harris to the NYT: “There will be a marble bust of me in Congress. I am a historic figure like any Vice President of the United States ever was.” [X, Price]
Sherrod Brown pitches himself as blue-collar populist while raking in cash from Hollywood celebrities [FOX News]
Democrat Rep. Adam Smith: “They’re treating that cocaine like it’s a weapon... and that too is kind of absurd.” [X, RNC Research]
🗞️ WHAT THE RIGHT IS WRITING
Leading FOX News Digital
Erika Kirk shares the message behind Charlie’s final book [FOX News]
Far-left firebrand mocked for Senate campaign launch [FOX News]
Trump threatens new 5% tariff on Mexico [FOX News]
Top of Breitbart
Teenage Afghan Illegal Migrants Convicted of Filming Rape of 15-Year-Old in England [Breitbart]
WATCH: Zohran Mamdani Tells Illegal Aliens How to ‘Stand Up’ to ICE Agents [Breitbart]
‘We’re Not Backing Down’: Owner of Pro-ICE Idaho Bar Undeterred by Threats [Breitbart]
Report: Jasmine Crockett Files Paperwork to Run for U.S. Senate [Breitbart]
Wall Street Journal Editorials
A Trump Doctrine of Contradictions [WSJ Ed]
A Miami Republican’s Immigration Dissent [WSJ Ed]
Let Warner’s Shareholders Decide [WSJ Ed]
The Decline of Europe in Gallic Profile [WSJ Ed]
DO YOU HAVE SOMETHING TO SAY ABOUT THE NEWS?
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Say hello by reaching out to Nathan (@NathanBrandWA on X or Nathan@OnBrandStrategies.com) and Carly (@realCarlyMoran on X or Carly@OnBrandStrategies.com).
