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đŁ Driving the ConversationâŚ
1,275 words | 6 minute read | Written to be skimmable (11+ hours of media covered in The Brand Brief)
What Matters: How about this time?
New Media Voices: Russell Brand, Gavin Newsom, and FlĂĄvio Bolsonaro
Leading FOX: Haley Stevens, Noah Wyle, and Ken Paxton
Trending: Barack Obama, Ilhan Omar, and Pete Hegseth
What the Right is Writing: Mary Peltola, Troy Jackson, and Brazil
âď¸ WHAT MATTERS AND WHERE WEâRE GOINGâŚ
Nathanâs quick take on where weâre headedâŚ
If 2024 was the âpodcast electionâ (or, as Tani would more accurately call it, the âfragmentation electionâ), what role did podcasts play in the 2026 midterms?
First, the podcast audience has grown: 32% now get news from podcasts, up from 22% in 2020.
Second, Democrats caught up in a hurry: While Trump blazed a trail in 2024, down-ballot Republicans in 2026 unfortunately havenât followed. According to Rephonic, Democrat midterm candidates have out-booked Republicans, carrying 67% of all podcast voice.
The exception on the right: California gubernatorial candidate Steve Hilton, who leads every candidate in the country with 104 appearances. The former FOX News personality has appeared on Joe Rogan, Megyn Kelly, and All-In, as well as Pod Save America and Kara Swisher.
Three takeaways: Fragmentation has continued since 2024. Democrats learned from Kamalaâs mistakes and are now outpacing Republicans in this space. The podcast world will matter even more in 2028 primaries. - NRB
See the latest YouTube, Apple, and Spotify rankings for The Brand Briefâs Top 50 Conservative Podcasts here.
đď¸ NEW MEDIA VOICES
The Megyn Kelly Show - 10/28
Kelly and guest Mark Halperin discuss Russell Brandâs UK rape trial, focusing on his denial of seven charges and media restrictions
She criticizes Hollywood beauty standards, celebrity cosmetic procedures, weight-loss drugs, and Alex Cooperâs influence
Halperin warns tight Senate races in South Carolina and other states could threaten Republicans amid rising gas prices and the Iran war
Kelly attacks Sen. Elissa Slotkin over threatened prosecutions of Trump staffers, and calls out Democrat efforts to confuse Alaska voters through a sham Dan Sullivan
The Michael Knowles Show - 10/28
Knowles argues recent Iranâs attacks near the Strait of Hormuz could drive up gas prices and hurt Republicans in the midterms
He praises Texas efforts to restrict transgender procedures on minors, presenting child protection as a defining political issue
Knowles condemns Hugh Hefner and the sexual revolution, arguing they contributed to cultural decline among younger generations
He praises Marco Rubioâs efforts against Cubaâs government and defends keeping an assertive American foreign policy
Knowles defends rebranding AI as âsuper intelligenceâ and dismisses conservative skepticism toward Israel
After Party with Emily Jashinsky - 10/28
Jashinsky and guest comedian Bridget Phetasy criticize Hollywoodâs beauty standards in light of Jennifer Lawrenceâs plastic surgery
Phetasy questions modern relationship norms, arguing delayed marriage and the âtrade-up ethicâ will weaken family stability
They blame cultural hostility toward men in the 2010s for fueling young menâs alienation and Trumpâs rise
Jashinsky defends Joe Rogan and VP JD Vance against unfavorable polling among young men, questioning the surveysâ credibility
They react to recent comments by CA Gov. Gavin Newsom defending the rise of the DSA
They criticize the FBIâs handling of the January 6 pipe-bomb investigation, citing alleged coercion and inconsistencies in evidence
The John Doyle Show - 10/28
Doyle argues Gen Z men identify with Anakin Skywalker because institutions restrict their potential while denying them recognition
He portrays the Jedi Councilâs treatment of Anakin as driving his turn toward authoritarianism, while contrasting his awkward but sincere romance with PadmĂŠ against modern dating culture
Doyle attacks James Fishback for his political inconsistency, grifting, and conspiracy theories surrounding Charlie Kirkâs assassination
Tony Kinnett Cast - 10/28
Kinnett scrutinizes Abdul El-Sayedâs family connections to Life for Relief and Development, a charity investigated over alleged financial links to Saddam Hussein
He calls out El-Sayedâs Muslim Brotherhood connections, dual Egyptian citizenship, and overseas property
Kinnett claims El-Sayed is losing the Black vote as Mike Rogers gains ground with traditional Democrat voters in Michiganâs Senate race
He criticizes efforts to manipulate Alaskaâs Senate race by running a second Dan Sullivan
Kinnett discusses President Trump granting asylum to Brazilian FlĂĄvio Bolsonaro after losing to far-left candidate Luiz InĂĄcio Lula da Silva
đş LEADING FOX NEWS
The Five
AOC campaigns in Kissimmee, FL for DSA-aligned Angie Nixon, calling âcommieâ policies âcommon senseâ
Socialist candidate Abdul El-Sayed draws fire for a barbershop pitch to Black voters
President Trump says Alaska Democrat candidate Mary Peltola âshould be prosecutedâ for potential ties to the two Dan Sullivans scheme
Tim Walz snubs Kamala Harris by saying âpick Pete Buttigiegâ when asked for advice for Democrats
Noah Wyle is named Peopleâs 2026 Sexiest Man Alive
FOX & Friends
The NYT reports Democrats recruited a same-name spoiler candidate to trick Alaska voters into voting for the wrong Dan Sullivan, Speaker Mike Johnson reacts
South Carolina voters in Rock Hill weigh in on the Senate race, as President Trump stumps for Darline Graham
Haley Stevensâ fiance says heâll vote for Mike Rogers, while she is still backing Abdul El-Sayed
The DOJ is attempting to keep the Ilhan Omar home raid documents sealed
HHS moves to make six peptides widely available
A new study finds people go to bed much later than youâd think, with the average American falling asleep past 11:30 PM
The third-quarter GDP grows at a 3.4% annual rate, beating the 3.2% expected
Texas Senate nominee Ken Paxton and Rep. Beth Van Duyne talk top issues with voters over breakfast in Dallas
Walmart is training employees for high-skill trades jobs
The Milwaukee Brewers win the World Series for the first time ever
đż TRENDING AND POUNCING
Tomorrowâs news todayâŚ
Breaking from the New York Times: The FBI under Obama all the way back in 2016! found evidence Ilhan Omarâs marriage was fraudulent. They only decided not to pursue it due to statute of limitations issues. [X, Chamberlain]
đď¸ WHAT THE RIGHT IS WRITING
FOX News Digital
Demsâ alleged ballot scheme called a âscandal at the highest orderâ [FOX News]
Trump heads to South Carolina to back Graham as race tightens [FOX News]
Milwaukee Brewers win World Series for first time [FOX News]
Breitbart
DOJ Intensifies âAggressive Criminal Investigationâ into Alaskaâs Second Dan Sullivan [Breitbart]
Trump Credits Netanyahu Comeback to Endorsement as Right-Wing Bloc Rises [Breitbart]
Trump: Democratsâ Fake Alaska Senate Candidate Scheme a âFraud on the American Publicâ [Breitbart]
Wall Street Journal Editorials
Netanyahu Gives Israel One More Surprise [WSJ Ed]
The Federal Reserveâs Hawkish Hold [WSJ Ed]
John Podestaâs Permitting Reform Sabotage [WSJ Ed]
To Brazilâs Victor Goes Political Revenge [WSJ Ed]
New York Post
Accused rapist Graham Platner is pissed as ever after crashing out of Maine Senate race: âWho the fâk are you weirdosâ [NYP]
Ilhan Omarâs Muslim husband âdisgustedâ by âdirty dandy brotherâ she allegedly wed living with them: source [NYP]
Washington Free Beacon
Troy Jacksonâs âLoggingâ Company Is Actually a Consulting Firm, Records Show [WFB]
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