Trump, the season ticket holder
The Brand Brief 1.20.26: Don Lemon, Davos, Keith Ellison, Indiana University, Greenland, Pam Bondi, Matthew Spalding, and Abigail Spanberger
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…
1,636 words | 7 minute read | Written to be skimmable (13+ hours of media covered in The Brand Brief)
What Matters: Trump knows ball
New Media Voices: Don Lemon pile-on
Leading FOX: Year one of Trump and Davos
Trending and Pouncing: Don Lemon claims to be the victim
What the Right is Writing: The Golden Age
✍️ WHAT MATTERS AND WHERE WE’RE GOING…
Nathan’s quick take on where we’re headed…
Nothing in modern media is bigger than live sports, and President Donald J. Trump understands that instinctively. For perspective, 44 of the 50 most-watched television events of 2025 were live sports (one of the other six was a Trump interview).
Trump showed up accordingly. He attended the National Championship game on Monday, and made appearances at the biggest events of 2025, including the Super Bowl, college football games, and the Ryder Cup. During the 2024 campaign, candidate Trump was a ringside staple at UFC fights.
Looking ahead, Trump’s 2026 sports calendar is already shaping up to be just as active, with marquee events like the FIFA World Cup and UFC hosted at the White House. It’s a sharp contrast from the Biden years, where public sports appearances were limited to falling off bikes and struggling to walk up stairs. - NRB
I would love to hear your feedback - survey here. Thank you!
🎙️ NEW MEDIA VOICES
The Megyn Kelly Show - 1/19
Kelly says protesters’ disruption of a St. Paul church service could violate the FACE Act and is domestic terrorism, accuses former CNN anchor Don Lemon of being complicit and mocking the pastor
While praising the response from AG Pam Bondi and the DOJ’s civil rights division, she criticizes Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey and Gov. Tim Walz for not responding
Guests Michael Knowles and Matt Walsh of the Daily Wire discuss how the church invasion reflects broader issues with immigration enforcement, school indoctrination, and the need for law and order
The Ben Shapiro Show - 1/19
A new CBS poll shows 61% of Americans view ICE as “too tough” during detainments, and 56% believe deportations target innocent people
Shapiro says the storming of Cities Church in St. Paul could replace the public image of ICE with radical leftists instead
Shapiro warns that Trump calling Renee Good a domestic terrorist is not helpful for public opinion going into midterms, says tariff threats on NATO countries will backfire
In other news, Democrats push for a wealth tax, and transgender influencer Dylan Mulvaney has been cast in the “Six” musical as Anne Boleyn
The Matt Walsh Show - 1/19
Walsh says the protesters’ intimidation of church attendees, especially children, is an act of domestic terrorism and violates the FACE Act, condemns Don Lemon for assisting the organizers
Walsh makes fun of how the protesters assumed a pastor was an ICE agent with limited evidence, says demanding papers without authority is like kidnapping
Gov. Tim Walz and Mayor Jacob Frey have done nothing to prevent Minneapolis residents from spying on ICE and tracing their license plates, let alone stealing weapons or tackling agents
Walsh reviews X user Dan Koe’s viral “How to Fix Your Entire Life in One Day” post, saying it’s overhyped and that true success requires consistent work, not just a mindset shift
Allie Beth Stuckey’s “Relatable” - 1/19
Guest apologist Dr. Frank Turek condemns Candace Owens for spreading lies about Charlie Kirk’s death
While not agreeing on all of Israel’s actions, Dr. Turek rejects a two-state solution and condemns any acts of antisemitism
Guest pastor Lucas Miles says church leaders can be categorized into “true,” “traitorous,” or “trembling,” praises his friend Kirk’s evangelism
Guest Blake Neff, producer of the Charlie Kirk Show, describes the emotional impact of AmFest and how he ignores the conspiracies
All guests said Charlie Kirk’s legacy can be continued by cultivating personal responsibility and spreading the Gospel message
After Party with Emily Jashinsky - 1/20
Citing David Leonhardt’s New York Times analysis, Jashinsky says Biden’s presidency allowed for the largest immigration surge in U.S. history
Using KO Institute and Prison Policy Initiative data, Jashinsky says only 5% of ICE detainees have violent convictions, many captured through traffic offenses and documented immigration violations
Jashinsky says the chaos in Minneapolis is partly due to sanctuary city policy, which severely limits local law enforcement coordination
Guest Dr. Matthew Spalding, Hillsdale College’s DC campus dean, discusses how the immigration debate brings up the question of what it means to be an American, as well as the mockery of Christianity by the St. Paul church protesters
Guest Shane Cashman, Timcast panelist, discusses the rise in AI data centers and the danger of its use in civilian surveillance
📺 LEADING FOX NEWS
The Five
Don Lemon worked with St. Paul church protesters, DOJ investigates his involvement
Dan Carville predicts Democrats will win the 2026 midterms, despite WSJ polling showing Americans still trust Republicans more on key issues
Women’s soccer players launch an ad supporting biological men competing in women’s sports
Actor Matt Damon says cancel culture is a worse sentence than prison
Sleep experts now say waking up at 5 a.m. could actually set you up for failure
FOX & Friends
One year since President Trump took office, 1.9 million illegals self-deported, 600,000 were deported, $297 billion were generated from tariffs, DOGE saved $215 billion, gas fell to its lowest price in four years, Iran’s nuclear facilities were destroyed, Israel has a peace treaty, Maduro has been captured, and the military has the best recruitment numbers in 15 years
Israel prepares for potential air strikes from Iran as U.S. assets deploy to the Middle East
A snowstorm in Michigan caused a 100-car pileup
Guest River Valley Church Pastor Kirk Graham condemns the mob invasion of a St. Paul church, Don Lemon stands by recording the protesters
As Tyler Robinson’s legal team attempt to remove prosecution attorneys, Erika Kirk demands a swift trial
The alleged murderer of an Ohio couple faced medical malpractice claims, “disappeared” according to a Las Vegas attorney
Trump pushes for the capture of Greenland to reinforce national security
Guest Sage Steel celebrates Indiana University football players evangelizing after winning their first football national championship, Trump and Sec. of State Marco Rubio attended
Guest Transportation Sec. Sean Duffy reflects one year later on revamping air traffic control systems after the tragic collision of a Black Hawk helicopter with a passenger plane over the Potomac River
FOX Newsroom
President Trump will speak at the World Economic Forum tomorrow, is expected to discuss American fiscal strategy and the importance of Greenland
The DOJ is investigating the mob protest of a St. Paul church, Minnesota AG Keith Ellison dismisses concerns about FACE Act violations
Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu says an Iranian air strike would be met with force, Trump prepares U.S. resources for support in the region
Indiana University wins the CFP title
Guest Nate Morris seeks to win Sen. Mitch McConnell’s Kentucky senator seat, receives $10 million endorsement from Elon Musk
The Supreme Court is expected to rule today on Trump’s ability to implement tariffs
The U.S. House is investigating Rep. Ilhan Omar’s one-year $30 million surge in net worth
Washington state has a $16 billion budget deficit, wants a millionaire tax
Kamala Harris’ team pressed Gov. Tim Walz on his ties with China, asked Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro if he was an Israeli agent
Actor Matt Damon says cancel culture is worse than prison
🍿 TRENDING AND POUNCING
Tomorrow’s news today…
After storming a church in Minnesota, Don Lemon says white Christians are “entitled” and engaged in “white supremacy,” says he is being targeted because he is a gay black man. [X, Rugg]
Don Lemon: “[Nicki Minaj] should be deported … she is not a legal citizen here, she is undocumented.” [X, Elliott]
Gavin Newsom has bizarre MELTDOWN in Davos. “I should have brought a bunch of knee pads for all the world leaders!” [X, Daugherty]
Reporter asks Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent if the UK and European Union have any financial weapons the U.S. should fear. Bessent, simply: “No.” [X, Guest]
🗞️ WHAT THE RIGHT IS WRITING
Leading FOX News Digital
Minnesota AG dismisses FACE Act concerns after anti-ICE agitators storm church [FOX News]
Trump fires off Truth Social posts, beating drum on Greenland acquisition [FOX News]
Manhunt underway after a judge and his wife were shot in their home in broad daylight [FOX News]
Breitbart
Trump’s Top Accomplishments in 1st Year of ‘Golden Age’ [Breitbart]
Socialists Planning to Replicate Minneapolis Chaos to Combat NYC ICE [Breitbart]
DOJ Investigates Violations of FACE Act, KKK Act After MN Church Protest [Breitbart]
Wall Street Journal Editorials
The Greenland War of 2026 [WSJ Ed]
Why the Supreme Court Tariff Case Is Such a Big Deal [WSJ Ed]
Georgia Needs the Right Tax Cut [WSJ Ed]
China Hits the Economic Doldrums [WSJ Ed]
New York Post
Trump trolls European leaders with wild AI image of him planting US flag on Greenland, leaks fawning texts from world leaders [NYP]
LI school board boss, who launched fight to save Chiefs team name, eyes run for state Senate [NYP]
HUD terminates Biden-era DEI deal that ‘forced racial preferencing’ in home appraisal industry [NYP]
Washington Free Beacon
‘Moderate’ Abigail Spanberger Appoints Two Qatari Lobbyists To Serve on George Mason University Board [WFB]
NEED HELP NAVIGATING CONSERVATIVE MEDIA?
On Brand Strategies would love to help you navigate the conservative media ecosystem. Learn more at OnBrandStrategies.com.