When “too far” goes even further
The Brand Brief 1.29.26: Stephen Colbert, Nicki Minaj, Jerome Powell, The Beckhams, Melania Trump, Jacob Frey, Bill Belichick, and Cabinet Secretaries
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…
1,623 words | 7 minute read | Written to be skimmable (13+ hours of media covered in The Brand Brief)
What Matters: Colbert unhinged as he heads for the exit
New Media Voices: Conservatives: More to Pretti
Leading FOX: Cabinet, Powell, and Minaj
Trending and Pouncing: Nicki Minaj and Trump’s cabinet
What the Right is Writing: Melania and the Kennedy Center
✍️ WHAT MATTERS AND WHERE WE’RE GOING…
Nathan’s quick take on where we’re headed…
It’s hard to sound more hyperbolic than a Democrat politician in 2026. Disagree with them, and you’re a Nazi. Oppose them, and you’re a fascist. Everything they dislike is Hitler. But Stephen Colbert entered uncharted territory this week by suggesting American law enforcement officials are worse than Nazis.
Conservative media loves a good loony lib meltdown, so expect some quality “seizing” and “pouncing” on this one. The end of Colbert’s show can’t come soon enough (final show is on May 21). - NRB
P.S. Re-upping pieces on Trump’s cabinet (Stars around the table) and Nicki Minaj (Boom, badoom, boom, boom, badoom, boom) as they are having another moment in conservative media today.
I would love to hear your feedback - survey here. Thank you!
🎙️ NEW MEDIA VOICES
The Megyn Kelly Show - 1/28
Podcaster Emily Jashinsky joins Kelly to discuss lack of cooperation by Minnesota officials, new evidence showing Alex Pretti was a part of an organized anti-ICE ring on Signal, and backlash against DHS Sec. Kristi Noem for her response to the shooting
Celebrities and left-wing figures have escalated their rhetoric, with actress Molly Ringwald calling the government fascist, author Scott Galloway referencing the Nuremberg trials, and journalist Kara Swisher comparing Stephen Miller to Heinrich Himmler
Kelly criticizes CBS News and other outlets for anti-ICE narratives while downplaying agitators
The Ben Shapiro Show - 1/28
Trump defends DHS Sec. Kristi Noem while acknowledging the family of Alex Pretti, encourages negotiations
Left-wing celebrities and journalists like Kara Swisher, Scott Galloway, Katy Perry, Natalie Portman, and Olivia Wilde make Nazi comparisons and call for ICE’s defunding
Rep. Ilhan Omar was sprayed with a mysterious substance at a town hall meeting, following reports of financial fraud
Trump issues a warning to Iran, signaling military action if necessary
The Michael Knowles Show - 1/28
After comparing illegal migrants to Anne Frank, Gov. Tim Walz sent state police to arrest agitators outside Border Patrol Head Greg Bovino’s hotel, who was swapped with Border Czar Tom Homan
Trump says he had a “very good call” with Walz, Knowles argues the president used a mix of charm and implied threats to win his way
Knowles mocks anti-ICE agitators, saying they’re living in a Marvel-esque fantasy where you can grab flashbangs without getting hurt, and attack cops without getting shot
In other news, MS Now used an altered photo of Alex Pretti, a Muslim man stabbed a Christian and his dog, and Michelle Obama complained about being seen as Barack’s wife
Allie Beth Stuckey’s “Relatable” - 1/28
Stuckey argues influencers against ICE are not organic, but funded and coordinated, comparing to silence during Obama’s deportations
Tactics like Signal group chats, spreadsheets, and noise disruption have all been used to heighten chaos
Gov. Tim Walz compared illegal immigrants to Anne Frank, Stuckey makes fun of him for being against borders while having a security perimeter
MS Now used a doctored photo of Alex Pretti to make him more attractive, Stuckey says this is done intentionally to garner women’s sympathy
Referencing singer Meghan Trainor’s recent surrogacy, Stuckey warns the practice creates high-risk pregnancies and breaks maternal bonds, while also creating systems like “birth tourism” between the U.S. and China
After Party with Emily Jashinsky - 1/28
While favorability for both parties is polling low, with Democrats at -20 and Republicans at -13, Jashinsky says Democrats have a much narrower midterm lead than in 2018
Jashinsky warns the media’s emphasis on immigration overshadows Trump’s economic wins, which he highlighted at an Iowa rally this week
Comedian Adam Carolla joins Jashinsky to discuss footage showing who appears to be Alex Pretti kick out a taillight and spit on an officer
Celebrities like Ethan Hawke and Ellen DeGeneres take to the internet to have anti-ICE meltdowns, while Jimmy Kimmel fakes tears and Stephen Colbert makes Nazi comparisons
Carolla praises Nicki Minaj for her unabashed support of the president, comparing her response to Neil Young’s “free music for Greenland” protest
📺 LEADING FOX NEWS
The Five
AG Pam Bondi announces 16 Minneapolis rioter arrests, actor Edward Norton calls for a “national strike” in response to the ICE shooting
Melania Trump joins The Five, shares her documentary premiere and what she really thinks about her husband’s dancing
The panel weighs whether HHS Sec. RFK Jr. will move MAHA moms to vote Republican in midterm elections
FOX & Friends
Man arrested after ramming his car against a Brooklyn synagogue, NYPD opens hate crime investigation
A new video appears to show Alex Pretti threatening agents just 11 days before getting shot, Mayor Jacob Frey says he will not comply with federal law, former DHS officials Jonathan Fahey and Ken Cuccinelli react live to Border Czar Tom Homan’s press conference
Sec. of State Marco Rubio testified before the Senate yesterday on Venezuela, guest former Sec. of State Mike Pompeo discusses current Venezuelan leadership
Kim Kardashian says Meghan Markle and Prince Harry told her to take down party photos of them
A second storm system could bring more snow to the East Coast this weekend
Fed Chair Jerome Powell maintains interest rates, Trump admin to discuss economy at first 2026 cabinet meeting today
The White House launches Trump Accounts for newborns with guest speaker and donor Nicki Minaj
Melania Trump’s documentary premieres in theaters tomorrow
Steve Doocy interviews author James Patterson, tours his home
FOX Newsroom
During his press conference, Border Czar Tom Homan says progress has been made with local officials, jails will notify ICE of illegal migrants, former Speaker Kevin McCarthy reacts to Senate Democrats threatening a shutdown over DHS funding
President Trump hosts his tenth cabinet meeting today on the economy, slams Fed Chair Jerome Powell for maintaining interest rates, picks Colin McDonald as the new fraud czar
Ohio AG candidate Elliot Forhan says he wants to “kill Donald Trump” via capital punishment
Multiple companies, and donors like Nicki Minaj give to Trump Accounts that help kids invest in the stock market from birth
A Brooklyn man is in custody for ramming his car into a synagogue, Chicago faces a string of smash and grab burglaries
Los Angeles officials report the Palisades Fires were preventable during yesterday’s congressional hearing
A Filipino mayor survived an RPG attack on his car, the fourth attempt on his life
Sec. of State Marco Rubio told the Senate his goal is for Venezuela to become prosperous and democratic
Republicans weigh the MAHA effect on midterms odds
Trump warns Iranian officials that time is running out on a nuclear deal, USS Abraham Lincoln arrives in the region
Guest Energy Sec. Chris Wright says natural gas, coal, and nuclear power kept the lights on this winter storm
The Beckhams have given their son the ultimatum to leave his wife or remain at odds with his parents
The FBI has seized evidence related to Georgia’s 2020 election results
NFL fans are upset after coach Bill Belichick failed to make the Hall of Fame on the first ballot
Gen Z is creating “analog bags” filled with activities that act as an alternative to the algorithm
NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani demands a wealth tax to fill a major budget gap
🍿 TRENDING AND POUNCING
Tomorrow’s news today…
This picture is sending me. [X, Gaines]
Hakeem Jeffries says Kristi Noem needs “to be put on ice” [X, Melugin]
Tom Homan strikes an agreement with Minnesota for ICE handling of violent illegal immigrant criminals [X, Daugherty]
Mamdani was warned about illegal immigrants blowing a hole in the city’s budget [X, Fitzgerald]
Ana Navarro calls Alex Pretti the “perfect guy.” “Alex Pretti is the guy you want to date your daughter. The guy you want your son to grow up to be.” [X, Silverio]
“AssauIt me, motherf*cker!” - Alex Pretti on January 13th trying to get injured by federal officers. [X, End Wokeness]
🗞️ WHAT THE RIGHT IS WRITING
FOX News Digital
Video appears to show Alex Pretti spitting at federal agents [FOX News]
Suspect arrested after car repeatedly rams doors of NYC synagogue [FOX News]
First lady opens up about private life and son’s growing political influence [FOX News]
Top of Breitbart
‘Breaking Bad’ Actor Calls for Violent Insurrection Against U.S. Govt., ‘Old Rich White Men’ [Breitbart]
Moulton: Nazis ‘Singled Out’ People, Now ‘They Have ICE Tip Lines’ [Breitbart]
‘Kristi Noem Must Be Fired’: Sen. Chuck Schumer Rages on X [Breitbart]
Wall Street Journal Editorials
The Perils of a Falling Trump Dollar [WSJ Ed]
Guan Heng Gets U.S. Asylum [WSJ Ed]
Why the U.S. Needs Diego Garcia [WSJ Ed]
More Teamster Job Casualties at UPS [WSJ Ed]
New York Post
‘Melania’ movie has dueling DC afterparties, an official shindig and one at Don Jr.’s club with Akon [NYP]
CBS offers buyouts to ‘Evening News’ staff, pitching them as ‘extraordinary chance to leave’ [NYP]
Washington Free Beacon
There Has Always Been Politics at the Kennedy Center [WFB]
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