Who is driving the faith pivot
The Brand Brief 4.16.26: Gallup, Tom Steyer, Dave Chappelle, Joe Biden, Pete Hegseth, Sam Altman, Abigail Spanberger, and Hasan Piker
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…
1,495 words | 7 minute read | Written to be skimmable (13+ hours of media covered in The Brand Brief)
What Matters: Gallup: Young Republicans reclaim the pews
New Media Voices: The failed state of California
Leading FOX: The blockade and NY taxes
Trending: Arches, Astronauts, and Disney
What the Right is Writing: Swalwell, Lululemon, and the EU
✍️ WHAT MATTERS AND WHERE WE’RE GOING…
Nathan’s quick take on where we’re headed…
To understand conservative media, one must first grasp its young, faithful core. While The Brand Brief has long documented the right’s emphasis on faith-focused content, new Gallup polling explains why.
According to the report, young men have hit a 25-year high in expressed religiosity. This shift is driven almost entirely by young Republicans. A similar trend is emerging for young Republican women, who significantly outpace their Democrat peers in church attendance.
Whether these shows are leaning into faith to meet their audience, or the audience is finding God because of their favorite hosts - well, God only knows. - NRB
What do you think of The Brand Brief? Let us know.
🎙️ NEW MEDIA VOICES
The Megyn Kelly Show - 4/15
Kelly expresses strong disapproval of the perceived softening of U.S. immigration policies, the Dignidad Act, and California gubernatorial candidate Tom Steyer’s plan to prosecute ICE agents
She examines Sen. Ruben Gallego’s evasiveness regarding sexual misconduct allegations against Eric Swalwell
Guest former Navy SEAL sniper Jack Carr shares insights into his rigorous military training, his switch to writing books, and how some veterans feel about Iran
The Ben Shapiro Show - 4/16
Shapiro critiques Democrat tax policies as a driving wealth and businesses out of states and cities like New York and California, while praising Republicans’ Working Families Tax Cuts
He reports on California’s use of taxpayer dollars on gender transitions for illegal immigrants
Shapiro argues the Iran operation has been successful, as the U.S. controls global oil markets against challenges from powers like China
He discusses how some commentators have accused President Trump of experiencing cognitive decline, and the political shift among comedians like Dave Chappelle and Bill Burr
Guest theologian Carl Trueman discusses how the modern rejection of God leads to a degradation of people’s view of the value of humanity
The Michael Knowles Show - 4/15
Knowles highlights the shift in American opinion regarding support for Israel, particularly among Republicans and moderate Democrats, and praises the success of the naval blockade at the Strait of Hormuz
He condemns the credible death threats, doxing, and harassment targeting conservative figures like Erika Kirk
Knowles advocates for public humiliation of support of radical people like Hasan Piker to diminish their influence
He critiques the confident ignorance often displayed by liberals regarding religious matters, exemplified by The View’s Joy Behar
Knowles explains the relationship between temporal and spiritual power as evidenced by Pope Leo and President Trump
After Party with Emily Jashinsky - 4/15
Jashinsky examines the looksmaxxing phenomenon’s appeal to disillusioned young men, as explored in guest Nick Freitas’ book on masculinity
They react to the violent attack on TPUSA reporter Savannah Hernandez, and singer Maren Morris fighting against people telling her that her son needs to be less feminine
Guest Spencer Klavan discusses Dave Chappelle’s engagement with the “comedy police,” the disturbing “virtual resurrection” of Top Gun actor Val Kilmer, and Mediaite’s founding editor getting suspended for errors made with AI
The Brett Cooper Show - 4/15
Cooper believes TMZ’s new Washington, DC bureau marks a “redemption arc” for the outlet, after they exposed multiple politicians on vacation while DHS employees remain unpaid
She argues legacy media groups like POLITICO are hypocritical and failed to hold power accountable
TMZ plans to investigate the finances of many politicians, as well as uncover more salacious topics like relationships and living situations
📺 LEADING FOX NEWS
The Five
Sen. Mark Warner on MS Now claims America isn’t the “good guy” anymore, CENTCOM reports zero boats have broken through the US naval blockade
Rep. Eric Swalwell faces rape allegations, investigations in multiple states
Rep. Jamie Raskin is trying to 25th amendment President Trump, meanwhile Joe Biden awkwardly claims a black college trustee looks like Barack Obama
NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani confirms first city-run grocery store
A new study shows small talk is good for your brain
FOX & Friends
The U.S. has completely blockaded Iranian shipping, Treasury Sec. Scott Bessent says he expects gas prices to drop to normal this summer, War Sec. Pete Hegseth confirms 13 ships were turned around
NY Gov. Kathy Hochul and Mayor Mamdani team up to introduce a luxury home wealth tax
A new Yale University study blames universities themselves for the lowered public trust in higher education
The two attempted NYC bombers face federal charges
Journalist Alex Berenson reacts to California’s Stop Nick Shirley Act that would punish citizen journalists going after fraud
The White House is beginning investigations into multiple top American researchers going missing without a trace
Queen Elizabeth’s best friend speaks out on the Harry and Meghan Markle drama, says there was “trouble” at their wedding
New Jersey congressional candidate Analilia Mejia calls Jesus a Democratic Socialist
President Trump hosts a No Tax on Tips roundtable in Las Vegas today
The man who attacked Sam Altman’s home referenced CEO killer Luigi Mangione
Former NATO Sec. Jens Stoltenberg says they would have to weigh the future of the alliance if the U.S. leaves
The Great American State Fair lineup releases, will be on the National Mall from June 25 through July 10
National Review Editor-in-Chief Rich Lowry decries Pope Leo XIV’s claim that God doesn’t hear the prayers of those who wage war
FOX Newsroom
CENTCOM confirms the naval blockade has halted Iran’s trade, forced 13 ships so far to turn around, Treasury Sec. Scott Bessent says additional sanctions may be applied, Sen. Tom Cotton reports on China agreeing to not send weapons to Iran, first female protester to be executed by regime
Far-left New Jersey congressional candidate Analilia Mejia is expected to win
Police report former VA Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax killed himself and his wife in a murder-suicide
A UK national naturalized under the Biden administration murdered a DHS employee just walking her dog, former DHS Sec. Chad Wolf reacts
Intelligence Director Tulsi Gabbard is calling for criminal charges tied to the 2019 Trump impeachment push
NY Gov. Kathy Hochul and NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani are looking to add a heavy tax on secondary homes
Rep. Eric Burlison is interviewed on multiple top American scientists going missing without a trace
🍿 TRENDING AND POUNCING
Tomorrow’s news today…
NEW: Astronaut Reid Wiseman, who says he is not religious, says he broke down in tears when he saw the Cross after getting back to Earth. [X, Rugg]
VA Gov. Abigail Spanberger just approved taxpayer funded grants of tens of millions of dollars which will benefit a company that her husband holds a leadership position in. [X, LibsofTikTok]
Disney World brings back its “Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls” greeting after dropping it in 2021. [X, Polymarket]
🗞️ WHAT THE RIGHT IS WRITING
FOX News Digital
Historic Israel-Lebanon talks to take place for first time in decades [FOX News]
Trump hits key battlegrounds to boost GOP ahead of midterms [FOX News]
Kamala Harris swipes President Trump over high gas prices [FOX News]
Breitbart
E.U. Chief Calls for End to National Veto Power Following Orbán’s Ouster in Hungary [Breitbart]
Steve Hilton Says Democrats Machine Covered for Swalwell [Breitbart]
Is Top Obama Adviser David Axelrod Behind Woke Catholic Op? [Breitbart]
Wall Street Journal Editorials
Trump and His Federal Reserve Vendetta [WSJ Ed]
Ken Paxton Wants Your Lululemon Yoga Pants [WSJ Ed]
Iran’s Regime Wants a Lebanon Cease-Fire [WSJ Ed]
Dr. Makary and Mr. Hyde at the FDA [WSJ Ed]
New York Post
Lisa Bloom, attorney for Eric Swalwell’s alleged rape victim, brutally hits back at his ‘regret is not rape’ claim [NYP]
Business scammed by phony Bieber staff who claimed pop star needed rentals for Coachella [NYP]
Washington Free Beacon
‘Moderate’ Governor Abigail Spanberger Signs Bill Forcing Virginia Schools To Consider ‘Restorative Disciplinary Practices’ Before Suspending Students [WFB]
Washington Reporter
Rep. Young Kim leads legislation that would deport illegal immigrant drunk drivers [Reporter]
NEED HELP NAVIGATING CONSERVATIVE MEDIA?
On Brand Strategies can assist you in getting booked on shows, placing op-eds, and navigating the conservative media. Learn more at OnBrandStrategies.com.