Vance vs. Cheney: Thursday media matchup
The Brand Brief 11.19.25: Stacey Plaskett, Olivia Nuzzi, Tucker Carlson’s son, Ken Burns, Mamdani, and another serving of McDonald’s
Actionable media intel to cut through the noise and keep you ahead: The Brand Brief delivers a daily snapshot of trending stories in 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…
1,802 words | 8 minute read | Written to be skimmable (x+ hours of media covered in The Brand Brief)
What Matters: Scheduling and the media divide
New Media Voices: Olivia Nuzzi, Bill Ackman, and more Epstein
Leading FOX: Nicki Minaj and Mamdani
Trending and Pouncing: Stacy Plaskett, Ken Burns, Brandon Johnson
What the Right is Writing: Jeffries, Epstein, Saudis, and McDonald’s
✍️ WHAT MATTERS AND WHERE WE’RE GOING…
Nathan’s quick take on where we’re headed…
Thursday presents a sharp divide between new and old media.
While much of legacy media will provide updates from former Vice President Dick Cheney’s funeral, the current Vice President J.D. Vance will have a 1x1 conversation with Breitbart News. The scheduling is notable as Cheney’s friction with the modern conservative movement is well-documented, and Trump and Vance remain largely silent on the passing of the former Veep. Thursday’s coverage and reactions will only underscore the directional change of the conservative media ecosystem. - NRB
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🎙️ NEW MEDIA VOICES
The Megyn Kelly Show - 11/18
President Trump moves to support a release of the Epstein files
Journalist Olivia Nuzzi has been accused of infidelity for an alleged affair with RFK Jr. and former South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford
Guest Emily Jashinsky critiqued “moralizing” in politics, while discussing the implications of a cheating scandal in Washington
New reporting by Miranda Devine and Tucker Carlson reveals Thomas Crooks’ extensive online presence, proving the FBI withheld info
Vance staffer Buckley Carlson, Tucker’s son, faces calls for cancellation, while Red Scare co-host Dasha Nekrasova is dropped by her talent agency for hosting Fuentes on her show
In the midst of the Gen Z loneliness crisis, Bill Ackman encourages young men to ask “May I meet you?” while Scott Galloway calls for more drinking
The Benny Show - 11/18
Johnson reflects on the necessity of TPUSA in winning midterms
Guest Rep. Tim Burchett talks about making videos showing Democrats refusing to censure Rep. Plaskett for coordinating with Epstein
Guest CNN anchor Scott Jennings says getting censured is not enough of a punishment for Rep. Plaskett
Johnson argues Epstein’s goal was to smear Trump as a pedophile by association due to his hatred for him
Former RNC Chairman Michael Whatley talks about the Charlotte ICE raids, Democrats calling for the military to commit an act of insurrection
The Ben Shapiro Show - 11/18
The Epstein files reveal Steve Bannon advised Epstein on media strategies as late at 2019, years after his sex offender conviction
Shapiro describes Bannon as a self-promoter seeking to take control of the MAGA movement
The files controversy only adds to opposition on both sides, Shapiro says, referencing Reps. Marjorie Taylor Greene and Thomas Massie
While Trump says he would sign the files’ release, he says he wants to focus on affordability and energy successes, such as tariff rebates
Other topics include Democrat extremism on gender, the potential for an AI bubble, and Latino approval ratings dropping after ICE raids
Timcast IRL - 11/18
The House and Senate pass the Epstein Transparency Act, while the Timcast team questions if any info has been redacted or tampered with
Bloomberg reporter Catherine Lucey is called “piggy” by Trump for interrupting during a press exchange on the Epstein files
Christian activists protested against the rise of Islam in Dearborn, Michigan by throwing bacon on Qurans
The Timcast crew fears a pole shift as the South Atlantic Anomaly, a growing “dent” in Earth’s magnetic field, is tracked by NASA
Tim Pool criticizes the growing rift in the MAGA movement on issues like Epstein, TPUSA conspiracies, and H-1B visas
The Brett Cooper Show - 11/18
Trump says he defends Tucker Carlson’s right to interview anyone, while JD Vance publicly disavows Nick Fuentes
Tucker Carlson’s son Buckley Carlson Jr., a Vance staffer, faces online cancellation for his dad’s videos, while Vance defends his character
Tucker’s brother, also named Buckley, was confused online for his Vance staffer son Buckley, Jr. after he posted Nick Fuentes content
Cooper compares the attacks to “left-wing purity tests” used on Sydney Sweeney, arguing the right shouldn’t fall for cancel culture
In contrast, Tucker Carlson recently posted a video on Mark Levin’s stepson getting fired at the State Department
📺 LEADING FOX NEWS
A look inside the FOX editorial decision-making…
The Five
Trump says he was the first McDonald’s fry cook to become president
The Epstein files vote passes 427-1 in the House, via unanimous consent in the Senate, moving to Trump’s desk
Rep. Plaskett defends texting Jeffrey Epstein during the Cohen hearing, Democrats unanimously vote against censuring her
Bill Maher floats AOC for 2028 after she celebrates Transgender Awareness Week
Thomas Crooks’ online comments reveal he was a furry, used they/them pronouns, and grew to hate Trump in 2020
FOX & Friends
The House vote to censure Rep. Plaskett for texting Epstein during the Cohen hearing fails to pass
After Charlie Kirk’s death, young people are attending church at record attendance compared to recent years
Rapper Nicki Minaj speaks in front of the UN about Nigerian Christian persecution
Brian Walshe pleads guilty for misleading police, still denies murdering his wife
Democrat lawmakers, including former CIA officer Sen. Slotkin, urge the military to “refuse illegal orders” in an act some are calling treason
A step-sibling may have ties to the murder of a teen girl on a Carnival cruise ship
The Sun editor Harry Cole explains reforms seeking to stop the migrant surge in England before it’s too late
After Trump’s meeting with the Saudi prince, the president secures $1 trillion in Saudi Arabian investments
Sec. of Transportation Sean Duffy is interviewed about a return to civility for air travel, after in-flight outbursts rise by 400% since 2019
Maria Corina Machado, the Venezuelan opposition leader, releases a Freedom Manifesto
Other Mamdani copycats appear in congressional 2026 primaries, while Harris campaigns for the “Tennessee AOC”
New investigations reveal Thomas Crooks had been posting violent anti-Trump comments for years on YouTube
Guest Sen. Bill Cassidy calls alongside Trump for ACA funds to be returned to Americans in Obamacare overhaul
A federal judge has blocked Texas from using the redrawn congressional map, the state files an appeal with the SCOTUS
FOX Newsroom
Energy Sec. Chris Wright explains how Trump secured a $1 trillion investment by Saudi Arabia, China’s nuclear site expansion
A federal judge overrules the Texas redistricting map, raising questions about the efficacy of California’s Prop 50 map
Ruthless podcast co-host Josh Holmes calls for Trump to join the midterms campaign trail to boost turnout
The House votes to condemn Rep. Garcia for announcing his retirement after the filing deadline
Following a 427-1 vote in the House, the Senate agrees via unanimous consent to send the Epstein files release bill to Trump’s office
Guest Rep. Comer talks about Rep. Plaskett avoiding House censure after being exposed for texting Epstein during the Cohen hearing
More than 1.7 million counterfeit fentanyl pills were seized in Douglas County, Colorado, $2.6 million in meth in Laredo, Texas
NYC mayor-elect Mamdani calls for NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch to stay in her position
California is now the least affordable state for housing, and LA Mayor Karen Bass is fighting against an affordable housing law
A Maine high school is looking to trade detention for phone-free outdoor hikes
The DHS is looking to expand its immigration crackdown to Louisiana, Mississippi, and New York City
Silicon Valley debates whether AI will experience a bubble burst
TPUSA packs another college auditorium at the University of Chattanooga last night, with Riley Gaines guest-hosting
Last night, Sec. of Education Linda McMahon explains how the department will be reallocated to various other agencies
🍿 TRENDING AND POUNCING
Tomorrow’s news today: highlights from the conversation on the right and what conservatives are “pouncing” on…
CNN: “At the time, he was a known sex offender…” Plaskett: “There are a lot of people who have done a lot of crimes…” [X, Rapid Response 47]
Elected Democrats just released a video encouraging members of the military to commit treason and DEFY orders from Trump and Hegseth [X, LibsofTikTok]
Jamie Raskin says that Stacy Plaskett was just “taking a phone call from her constituent” when Jeffrey Epstein was actively feeding her questions during a congressional hearing. [X, Pearson]
Jasmine Crockett: “I don’t understand why they like him so much… cuz when 42 million people needed to line up to get they EBT and it wudnt nothin there — he didn’t care… this dude obviously has them in a cult.” [X, Johnny MAGA]
New Ken Burns documentary opens with trashing white men, and crediting Native Americans with democracy [X, Johnston]
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson says the Trump administration is attempting to “re-litigate the Civil War” by cleaning up crime in Democrat cities. “They have not accepted the results that the North actually won.” [X, Rapid Response 47]
Collins: “Were Stacey Plaskett’s texts with Epstein appropriate?” … Jeffries: “She is not violating any House rule.” [X, Price]
Trump: “My son is a big fan of @Cristiano... Barron got to meet him and I think he respects his father a little bit more now.” [X, Rapid Response 47]
🗞️ WHAT THE RIGHT IS WRITING
Leading FOX News Digital
Dem slammed for ‘sick’ defense of colleague caught texting Epstein [FOX News]
Professor’s outburst about Trump’s plans draws reaction from White House [FOX News]
Military veterans in Congress tell troops to defy commands in viral video [FOX News]
Top of Breitbart
Trump Speaks at U.S.-Saudi Investment Forum: $270 Billion in Deals Signed Today [Breitbart]
Jasmine Crockett Badly Misfires Attacking Lee Zeldin over ‘Jeffrey Epstein’ [Breitbart]
Hakeem Jeffries Solicited Donations from Epstein, Asked Him to Meet Obama [Breitbart]
Saudi Crown Prince Pledges to Raise U.S. Investment to Nearly $1 Trillion [Breitbart]
Wall Street Journal Editorials
A Progressive ‘News Distortion’ Epiphany [WSJ Ed]
Trump Serves a McDonald’s Happy Meal [WSJ Ed]
The Art of a Deal With Saudi Arabia [WSJ Ed]
Robert George Resigns From the Heritage Foundation [WSJ Ed]
DO YOU HAVE SOMETHING TO SAY ABOUT THE NEWS?
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