Travel guide: China edition
The Brand Brief 5.12.26: Spencer Pratt, Pete Hegseth, Xi Jinping, Hasan Piker, Eileen Wang, AOC, Joe Rogan, Nancy Guthrie, and Elon Musk
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…
1,607 words | 7 minute read | Written to be skimmable (11+ hours of media covered in The Brand Brief)
What Matters: China trip
New Media Voices: Dr. Fauci and Spencer Pratt
Leading FOX: Arcadia and Iran
Trending: AOC and Indiana Football
What the Right is Writing: Nancy Guthrie and Hunter Biden
✍️ WHAT MATTERS AND WHERE WE’RE GOING…
Nathan’s quick take on where we’re headed…
While the Right doesn’t always see eye to eye on foreign policy, their stance on the CCP is clear: they are an adversary and rival. President Trump’s upcoming trip is expected to be a unifying moment for conservatives.
That unity stands in sharp contrast to leftist Hasan Piker, who drew heavy criticism for his gushing praise of the CCP during and after a trip to the communist country. While in China, Piker admitted, “I don’t have any patriotism in my heart for America.” - NRB
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🎙️ NEW MEDIA VOICES
The Megyn Kelly Show - 5/11
Kelly criticizes CBS News allegedly editing interviews with Benjamin Netanyahu and Spencer Pratt
She argues the Israeli government has caused thousands of civilian casualties in Gaza and Lebanon
Kelly condemns the proposed Durbin-Marshall Credit Card Mandates as disproportionately benefiting mega-stores like Walmart and Target
Guest Michael Knowles discusses President Trump’s negotiation strategy, while critiquing the Democrats’ extremism
They both express disbelief regarding a sexual harassment lawsuit against JPMorgan, and condemn actor Jerry O’Connell’s cowardly stance on trans individuals in women’s bathrooms
The Ben Shapiro Show - 5/11
Shapiro asserts President Trump possesses a strong negotiating hand against China due to their internal economic and population crises, describing their government as an “autocratic, economically fascist one-party state”
He criticizes “multi-polarity,” championed by China and Russia, as a dangerous and hypocritical attempt to diminish US global power
Shapiro argues dominance in AI, superior military technology, and leverage over Iran will give the U.S. an advantage during Beijing talks
He underscores strong private sector job growth and a resurgence in high-skilled manufacturing under the Trump administration
Tony Kinnett Cast - 5/11
Kinnett reacts to Arcadia Mayor Eileen Wang pleading guilty to acting as an illegal agent for the People’s Republic of China
He says Pakistan was reportedly caught harboring Iranian military aircraft, and is criticized for serving as China’s mouthpiece
Kinnett argues Supreme Court rulings on racially gerrymandered districts will help maintain Republican control of the House
He says AOC’s controversial policies, alongside internal Democrat concerns over antisemitism, reveal deeper critiques of the progressive agenda
Kinnett highlights potential bias in the DOJ’s handling of the Hunter Biden case, and looks into U.S. funding for biolabs abroad
He addresses global oil market volatility and growing concerns about corporate mergers in key industries like media and tech
Timcast IRL - 5/11
Tim Pool and guest Libby Emmons of The Post Millennial react to recent Supreme Court rulings on redistricting and efforts to protect figures like Lindsey Graham
The panel debates the erosion of individual liberty and free speech, the dangers of state control over information, and the breakdown of classical liberalism
They scrutinize the COVID-19 pandemic in light of the Hantavirus making headlines
The group discusses transhumanism, the self-serving agendas of powerful elites, and the implications of tech for human well-being
Allie Beth Stuckey’s “Relatable” - 5/11
Jashinsky and guest Dr. Drew Pinsky discuss the looming deadline for Dr. Anthony Fauci’s indictment, as well as the settlement in the Alex Berenson v. Biden case
Pinsky critiques mainstream media’s role in creating public anxiety over health scares like the Hantavirus
They highlight Spencer Pratt’s shocking performance against Karen Bass and Nithya Raman as he fights homelessness, addiction, and crime
The two critique MD Gov. Wes Moore’s stance on gender transitioning minors
Jashinsky looks into Bumble’s potential removal of the “swipe” feature due to dating app fatigue
📺 LEADING FOX NEWS
The Five
President Trump describes the Iranian peace deal as “on life support,” Sen. Cory Booker calls him an embarrassment on the world stage
AOC claims the American Revolution was against billionaires, while Maine senate candidate Graham Platner says corporations aren’t paying their fair share
A left-wing ad attacking LA mayoral candidate Spencer Pratt backfires, highlighting his fight against homelessness and drug addiction
Joe Rogan says people are programmed with Trump Derangement Syndrome, while a third of Democrats believe the assassination attempts were staged
Studies show anxious people may live longer
FOX & Friends
18 Hantavirus passengers have returned to the US, with one testing positive, one showing symptoms, and the remaining 16 isolating in Nebraska
President Trump is set to meet with President Xi Jinping Thursday to discuss AI, tariffs, Iran, and Taiwan, as China surpasses America as South America’s top trade partner, Interior Sec. Doug Burgum reacts
The United Arab Emirates has been secretly conducting strikes on Iran, Trump weighs restarting Project Freedom amid stalled negotiations
The admin weighs suspending the gas tax to combat surging prices
Career criminal Tyler Brown opens fire on cars near Harvard University
Gov. Josh Shapiro and AOC’s fight over primary candidates represents broader party divisions, says Axios
Arcadia, CA Mayor Eileen Wang admits to being an actor for the CCP
Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella testifies in the Elon Musk v. OpenAI trial
War Sec. Pete Hegseth and Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Dan Caine testify live on the defense budget
Pro-Palestine protesters yell out antisemetic remarks outside a synagogue
57% of young adults say it’s a bad time to find a job
FOX Newsroom
President Trump departs today for his Beijing Summit, brings a delegation of 17 CEOs including Elon Musk, Tim Cook of Apple, Larry Fink of Blackrock, and Dina Powell McCormick of Meta; US Ambassador to China David Perdue explains
Former Arcadia Mayor Eileen Wang admits to assisting the CCP, Sen. Ron Johnson reacts
Iran stands defiant against peace talks, Kuwait claims the regime launched an attack against one of their islands, President Trump poses pausing the national gas tax
More than 25 have been charged in a Tren de Aragua takedown
Two critically injured following a Cambridge, MA shooting, assailant taken down by a state trooper and a Marine vet with concealed carry
16 Hantavirus evacuees are isolating at a Nebraska hospital
Anti-Israel protesters and counterprotesters clash in NYC, with more than 4,000 antisemetic harassment claims filed in 2025 alone
Sen. John Fetterman says the Democrats have become anti-men, GOP now sees an advantage against Democrats in the midterm elections
Tiger Woods’ attorney appears in court today for a subpoena hearing
The search for Nancy Guthrie reaches the 100 day mark
Liberal justices condemn the Alabama redistricting ruling
An audit shows 38% of Ohio Medicaid funds go to Columbus’s county alone
China attempts to control Panama Canal through land purchases
🍿 TRENDING AND POUNCING
Tomorrow’s news today…
AOC slanders law enforcement officers enforcing immigration laws as “Jim Crow.” [RNC Research]
Trump shares Declaration of Independence with the Indiana football team [Daugherty]
🗞️ WHAT THE RIGHT IS WRITING
FOX News Digital
Trump reportedly eyes renewed military action as Iran negotiations break down [FOX News]
Hantavirus watch spreads to at least 7 states as passengers quarantined [FOX News]
Nancy Guthrie missing 100 days as sheriff says ‘nothing new’ and volunteer groups are shut out of search [FOX News]
Breitbart
Virginia Democrats Seek Supreme Court’s Intervention over VA Supreme Court Gerrymander Ruling [Breitbart]
‘Totally Unacceptable’: Trump Rejects Iran Reply – ‘Laughing No Longer’ [Breitbart]
‘Harnessing American Power’ Breitbart Speaks with Doug Burgum [Breitbart]
Wall Street Journal Editorials
Affordability Brainstorms, Good and Bad [WSJ Ed]
The U.S. Postal Service Is Going Bust. Blame Congress [WSJ Ed]
Iran Thinks Trump Is Bluffing [WSJ Ed]
Gavin Newsom Offers Diaper Service [WSJ Ed]
New York Post
Dead voters’ signatures appear on Dem candidate’s forms: ‘Our democracy nowadays’ [NYP]
Moment wide-eyed Hunter Biden panics over plea deal in leaked clip from new documentary [NYP]
DOJ weighing new criminal case against Dr. Fauci — despite Biden’s autopen pardon and statute of limitations running out [NYP]
‘Emotional’ Savannah Guthrie has been tearing up off-camera at ‘Today’ as search for missing mom Nancy continues [NYP]
Washington Free Beacon
Abigail Spanberger’s Faceplant [WFB]
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