Why are we talking about burritos?
The Brand Brief 8.6.26: Coco Gauff, Chipotle, Bill Maher, Perez Hilton, Nick Shirley, Cambridge, Wisconsin, and the DSA
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…
1,078 words | 5 minute read | Written to be skimmable (10+ hours of media covered in The Brand Brief)
What Matters: The burrito debate
New Media Voices: Abdul El-Sayed and Lindsay Clancy
Leading FOX: Anthony Fauci and Michael Moore
Trending: Francesca Hong and Maricopa County, AZ
What the Right is Writing: Chris Pappas and Zohran Mamdani
✍️ WHAT MATTERS AND WHERE WE’RE GOING…
Nathan’s quick take on where we’re headed…
The right engaged in a delicious proxy war over the cost of burritos this week. Michael Knowles summarized the competing sides of the argument well: traditional vs populist conservatives (see clip above). The debate about the cost of burritos is partly about affordability messaging, but it is a deeper look at how the right views the role of government.
What’s next: The burrito war is a preview of what’s coming in 2028. - NRB
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🎙️ NEW MEDIA VOICES
The Megyn Kelly Show - 8/5
Kelly and guest Mark Halperin argue Abdul El-Sayed’s narrow victory over Haley Stevens in the Michigan Democrat primary signals a significant shift toward socialism
She says independent voters and the gender gap could affect Ken Paxton’s campaign against James Talarico
Kelly points out the potential emergence of a new political movement led by Tucker Carlson
She criticizes the influence of AIPAC on both parties’ campaigns
The Michael Knowles Show - 8/5
Knowles highlights the rise of the DSA, including in Midwest states
He underscores comedian Bill Maher’s surprising shift towards potentially supporting Republicans as Democrats radicalize
Knowles says the Cambridge City Council reinstating gunshot detection technology fails to address the root causes of crime
Using Nick Fuentes as an example, he says there is a troubling ideological divide within conservatism
Relatable with Allie Beth Stuckey - 8/5
Stuckey argues Lindsay Clancy’s murder trial highlights the tragic intersection of motherhood and mental health
She argues the lack of communication among healthcare providers was a critical failure in managing Lindsay’s psychiatric medications
Stuckey calls for stronger FDA warnings regarding SSRIs, particularly for pregnant and postpartum women
Stuckey questions the fairness of holding a mentally ill individual fully accountable for such horrific acts
Husband Patrick Clancy has shared poignant memories of Lindsay as a loving mother before her mental health deteriorated
The Riley Gaines Show - 8/6
Gaines criticizes the misuse of taxpayer funds via fraudulent adult daycare centers
Guest Nick Shirley says fraud helps skew voting and benefits certain politicians like NY Gov. Kathy Hochul and MN Gov. Tim Walz
Gaines criticizes the role of NGOs, especially the DSA, in perpetuating fraud
Shirley explains how fraudsters have threatened his life for exposing billions in criminal activity
After Party with Emily Jashinsky - 8/5
Guest Drea de Matteo talks about her Emmy-winning career and her podcast “ULTRAFREE”
Jashinsky criticizes Perez Hilton for his controversial behavior, calling attention to the darker aspects of fame and the pressures faced by celebrities like Ariana Grande
She discusses the $20 burrito debate on X, and how it underscores the economic frustrations of younger generations, compared to unconcerned Boomers
Jashinsky points out the troubling connections between Anthony Fauci and intelligence agencies
📺 LEADING FOX NEWS
The Five
President Trump describes the wave of communist candidates as “ashes, junk, filth,” after Michigan DSA candidate Abdul El-Sayed narrowly defeats Democrat Haley Stevens
Michael Moore calls for the far-left to overthrow “establishment hacks”
Trump focuses on tax cuts in Las Vegas ahead of midterm elections
Texas Democrat candidate James Talarico attempts and fails to represent masculinity
FOX & Friends
Anthony Fauci faces a contempt of Congress vote live over pleading the fifth during his Covid testimony
The Democrat establishment caves to extremist Michigan Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed
72% of Gen Z says they have had to delay marriage, children, moving out, or home ownership due to financial constraints
Tennis star Coco Gauff backs gender testing requirements
A South Carolina judge dismisses Alex Murdaugh’s lawsuit against a former court clerk
The FAA is looking into a safety incident between Marine One and a passenger jet
Mike Pompeo reacts to Iran’s agreement with Oman
🍿 TRENDING AND POUNCING
Tomorrow’s news today…
I asked counterterrorism expert Kyle Shideler whether the Muslim Brotherhood partners with the Democratic Socialists of America. His answer: Yes. [X, Cruz]
New York arsonist who set a 174-year-old historic church on fire is arrested. Homeless with multiple prior arrests. [X, End Wokeness]
🗞️ WHAT THE RIGHT IS WRITING
FOX News Digital
Paul says he has the numbers to nail Fauci with contempt [FOX News]
Trump reveals what stopped ‘biggest attack since World War II’ on Iran [FOX News]
Vance unmasks progressive ‘redistribution’ threat to workers [FOX News]
Breitbart
Democrat Establishment Declares ’War’ on DSA [Breitbart]
Joe Gruters: Creeps, Freaks, and Cousin-Kissers: The Dems’ Midterm Ticket [Breitbart]
El-Sayed on Piker: Not That Focused on Who Campaigns With Me, Want Stevens to Campaign With Me [Breitbart]
Wall Street Journal Editorials
The March of the El-Sayed Democrats [WSJ Ed]
Will Trump Leave Ukraine Without Patriots? [WSJ Ed]
Colorado Progressives Hike the Tax Slope [WSJ Ed]
Clarity for Crypto, Sort Of [WSJ Ed]
New York Post
‘The View’ doesn’t want ‘pain in the ass’ Meghan McCain to return for 30th anniversary: sources [NYP]
Xavier Becerra’s migrant child record back in spotlight after adviser alleges dozens of deaths [NYP]
Washington Free Beacon
Mamdani Backs Squatters’ Rights in Video Demonizing ‘Billionaire’ Jewish ‘Slumlord’ [WFB]
Washington Reporter
Rep. Chris Pappas flipped vote on a rideshare provision that benefits his husband’s employer [Reporter]
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