They just refuse to leave
The Brand Brief 5.6.26: Meghan Markle, Sarah Huckabee Sanders, Heidi Klum, Vivek Ramaswamy, Zohran Mamdani, Xavier Becerra, Aaron Rose Philip, and Ted Turner
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…
1,642 words | 7 minute read | Written to be skimmable (12+ hours of media covered in The Brand Brief)
What Matters: Obama is back
New Media Voices: Red Scare and the Met Gala
Leading FOX: Indiana and Ohio primaries
Trending: Melania Trump draws laughs
What the Right is Writing: Iran and the City of Angels
✍️ WHAT MATTERS AND WHERE WE’RE GOING…
Nathan’s quick take on where we’re headed…
A new wave of Democrats is emerging ahead of 2028, but conservative media remains fixated on the household names that refuse to leave the stage: Obama, Biden, and Harris.
While fresh less familiar faces like Pritzker and Buttigieg are easy targets, nothing stirs the base like the “old guard.” From Obama’s library-opening “lecture tour” to Biden’s primary meddling and Harris’s recently wrapped book circuit, these figures remain the ultimate engagement drivers.
For conservative audiences, deep-seated familiarity breeds immediate contempt—placing these three at the top of every conservative topic list. - NRB
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🎙️ NEW MEDIA VOICES
The Megyn Kelly Show - 5/5
Kelly critiques Blake Lively’s and Meghan Markle’s public relations strategies, and offers advice on handling negative media.
She argues the 2026 Met Gala theme was underwhelming, notes the declining quality of attendees and “out of touch” fashion choices
Guests from the Red Scare podcast Dasha Nekrasova and Anna Khachiyan talk about being “canceled” for interviewing Nick Fuentes
Kelly provides an update on the JP Morgan sexual harassment lawsuit, expressing skepticism about its credibility
The Ben Shapiro Show - 5/5
Shapiro views the Met Gala as a manifestation of the secular left’s hypocrisy and decadence
He highlights The Daily Wire’s investigative journalism exposing Medicaid fraud in Ohio, underscoring the unchecked growth of the welfare state that leads to national debt and lack of responsibility
Shapiro throws his support behind Vivek Ramaswamy in the Ohio gubernatorial primary
He warns that left-wing rhetoric creates “permission structures” for political violence
Shapiro advocates for reopening the Strait of Hormuz, and increasing economic pressure against Iran
The Matt Walsh Show - 5/5
Using a Daily Wire investigation, Walsh alleges widespread Medicaid fraud in the home healthcare industry, even in red states like Ohio
He argues both Republican and Democrat-run governments can suffer from severe lack of government oversight, and the Somali culture’s dependency on government services contributes to the prevalence of fraud schemes
Walsh says accusations of racism are frequently employed to deflect inquiries into fraud, which are facilitated by programs like the Office of Refugee Resettlement and CCAP
He calls for the mass deportation of Somalis, citing the negative ratio of limited contributions to the economy while taking billions in tax dollars
The Brett Cooper Show - 5/5
Cooper celebrates Emma Chamberlain, Gracie Abrams, and Mona Patel as the best-dressed at the Met Gala
She criticizes Karlie Kloss, Heidi Klum, and Cardi B for uninspired or visually displeasing outfits that failed the “fashion is art” theme
She particularly calls out a trio of unflattering red dresses worn by Lena Dunham, Alysa Liu, and Serena Williams
Cooper concludes by calling Aaron Rose Philip the “most oppressed person in America”, as a black quadriplegic trans person
The Riley Gaines Show - 5/5
Gaines hears Sarah Huckabee Sanders’ career journey from White House Press Secretary to Arkansas Governor
Sanders outlines Arkansas’s conservative policy successes, including tax cuts, border security, pro-life initiatives, and universal school choice
They discuss the “Razorback Ready 2026” fitness challenge, reducing screen time, and the positive impact of the “Bell to Bell No Cell Bill”
The two agree there is a bright future for women and mothers within the Republican Party, especially for those who balance home and work
📺 LEADING FOX NEWS
The Five
Sec. of State Marco Rubio says if Iran had a nuke they’d use it to hold the Strait of Hormuz hostage
CA Gov. Gavin Newsom claims President Trump is exploiting the WHCD shooting to get his ballroom
Kamala Harris endorses incumbent Karen Bass for LA mayor
IL Gov. JB Pritzker asserts Trump has dementia, when he should be more worried about his diet
Barack Obama admits Trump is causing “genuine tension” in his marriage
The internet is trying to popularize “rage workouts,” and it’s primarily middle aged women participating
FOX & Friends
Five President Trump-backed candidates beat incumbents who voted against the Indiana redistricting map, Vivek Ramaswamy will go against Amy Acton in the Ohio gubernatorial race
Trump pauses Operation Freedom in a push for a peace deal with Iran
During his day subbing as press secretary, Marco Rubio said the world is “not ready for my DJ name,” referencing his viral wedding appearance
Steve visits Lenexa, KS on his America250 roadtrip
Multiple cruise ship passengers test positive for the deadly Hantavirus, after three already passed from the disease
Barack Obama praises socialist Mayor Zohran Mamdani as an “extraordinary talent”
Country singer Ella Langley is up for seven ACM awards this year
WHCD shooter Cole Allen is indicted on an additional federal charge, could face life imprisonment
Xavier Becerra and Steve Hilton are tied in polling as the crowded California gubernatorial race gives Republicans an unlikely edge
“Looksmaxxing” is popular among young men looking to maximize their attractiveness using methods as extreme as bonesmashing
OH Gov. Mike DeWine denies allegations of state medicaid fraud
Socialist Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson blames CCTVs for racism rather than two delinquents who attacked a 77-year-old man
The U.S. hiring rate increased to 3.5% in March
Chipotle CEO Scott Boatwright defends the restaurant’s diminishing portion sizes
FOX Newsroom
President Trump pauses Operation Freedom, citing peace talk progress with answers expected within 48 hours, says Iranians want to protest but don’t own guns, Iran’s foreign minister is meeting in Beijing
Two airplanes come within 500 feet of each other at the JFK airport
VP JD Vance shares midterm messaging in Des Moines, IA, former Speaker Kevin McCarthy reacts
Barack Obama praises Zohran Mamdani on CBS
FBI Director Kash Patel calls out the incompetence of Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos
Three passengers with the deadly Hantavirus have been evacuated from the ill-fated cruise ship off the coast of West Africa
Pro-Palestine protesters swarm a Manhattan synagogue, following multiple antisemitic vandalism attacks across the city
IL Gov. JB Pritzker blames President Trump’s tone for the assassination attempts against him, while Rep. Brendan Boyle claims he is focused on the ballroom over the needs of Americans
Tennessee and Alabama will hold redistricting votes before midterms
Trump revives the Presidential Physical Fitness Award in an effort to get kids off their screens and outside, while the Army introduces a new combat field fitness test
CNN founder Ted Turner passes away at 87 years old
California gubernatorial candidate Katie Porter defends her wicked temperament in the primary debates last night
More than 30 states have banned cell phone usage in classrooms
Cornell University’s president was harassed by students after a debate
The looksmaxxing trend takes over social media
🍿 TRENDING AND POUNCING
Tomorrow’s news today…
Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-WA) announces she has been working with foreign countries to supply oil to Cuba, in defiance of President Trump. [X, Breitbart]
President Trump’s smirk as Melania discusses his “empathy” is amazing content. [X, Johnny]
Becerra: “The Trump campaign in 2024 talked about ‘lost kids’ when there were no lost kids.” The Biden DHS’ own Inspector General found that over 300,000 migrant children went missing under their watch. [X, Price]
🗞️ WHAT THE RIGHT IS WRITING
FOX News Digital
Trump announces temporary pause of ‘Project Freedom’ amid progress toward Iran deal [FOX News]
Former Dem senator ousted in 2024 wins primary in rebound bid that could flip majority [FOX News]
Patel accuses FBI of lying to obtain warrants to illegally spy on Trump’s 2016 campaign [FOX News]
Breitbart
Trump Hints Final Agreement with Iran May Be Close: Project Freedom on Pause [Breitbart]
Karen Bass: Fire Victim Spencer Pratt ‘Exploiting Grief’ of Fire Victims [Breitbart]
U.S. Becomes World’s Biggest Oil Producer During Strait of Hormuz [Breitbart]
Wall Street Journal Editorials
Another Marty Makary Mistake [WSJ Ed]
Trump Halts the Blockade of U.S. Ports [WSJ Ed]
Justice Alito’s Intriguing Footnote [WSJ Ed]
Voters Get No Say on a Washington State Income Tax [WSJ Ed]
New York Post
Trump tells The Post it’s ‘too soon’ to prep for Iran peace signing after reports deal near [NYP]
Jew-hating violence hits all-time high in LA as ‘most violent’ year exposes California’s shame [NYP]
GOP lawmakers urge Trump administration to defund ‘woke’ National Academies [NYP]
Washington Free Beacon
‘Antiracist Critical Pedagogy’: Penn State Law School’s New Strategic Plan, Devoted to ‘Antiracism,’ Raises Legal Questions [WFB]
Washington Reporter
Conservative organizations put Europe in the trade hot seat, saying that Trump is ready to end the regulatory assault on U.S. companies [Reporter]
NEED HELP NAVIGATING CONSERVATIVE MEDIA?
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