Why we tilt west
The Brand Brief 4.13.26: Sabrina Carpenter, Eric Swalwell, Rory McIlroy, Viktor Orban, Gavin Newsom, Roblox, Arsenio Hall, and McDonald's
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…
1,150 words | 5 minute read | Written to be skimmable (14+ hours of media covered in The Brand Brief)
What Matters: California roots
New Media Voices: Rogan, Von, and Clark
Leading FOX: Iran, Swalwell, and Mamdani
Trending: DoorDash delivery
What the Right is Writing: The end of Swalwell
✍️ WHAT MATTERS AND WHERE WE’RE GOING…
Nathan’s quick take on where we’re headed…
East Coast media bias is real, but conservative media has always looked west, particularly to California. As this week’s news cycle kicks off with Eric Swalwell, the Newsoms, taxpayer fraud, and Bieberchella, the focus shouldn’t come as a surprise.
A major reason for this Pacific tilt is that the anchors of the right’s new media - Breitbart, The Daily Wire, and PragerU - all launched in California. While the epicenter has since shifted to Texas, Florida, and Tennessee, Golden State roots run deep.
Bottom line: Conservative media is upstream of politics; it's a battle of culture and faith, making California the ultimate front line. - NRB
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🎙️ NEW MEDIA VOICES
The Joe Rogan Experience
Comedian Arsenio Hall reflects on the history of stand-up clubs and balancing fame with his personal life
Comedian and voice actor Duncan Trussell talks about a shooter using ChatGPT, disappearing scientists, and the value of knockoff items
MMA fighters John Rallo, Matt Serra, and Din Thomas discuss the state of TV, famous matches, and training others to compete
This Past Weekend with Theo Von
Country singer Ella Langley talks about her new album Dandelion, growing up in a “hippie Baptist” family, and how she made it in Nashville
Comedian and podcaster Matt McCusker shares his gardening tips, his concerns about looksmaxxing, and the draft
The Shawn Ryan Show
Retired Delta Force Commander Pete Blaber explains the failures that led to the death of former NFL player Pat Tillman in Afghanistan
Culture Apothecary with Alex Clark
Dr. Daniel Pompa explains how fasting and Ozempic fail to address the real causes of weight gain, and argues the sun is healthier than spray tans and beds
Biohacker Dave Asprey talks fiber, peptides, weight loss, and more
The Tim Dillon Show
Dillon discusses the Butler, PA assassination attempt, criticizes Israel bombing Lebanon, calls out failures of the California economy, and explains the impact of Mythos AI
📺 LEADING FOX NEWS
FOX & Friends
Rep. Eric Swalwell suspends his governor campaign following federal investigations and sexual assault allegations
Beginning today, the U.S. Navy will blockade ships at Iranian ports after peace talks failed over the Strait of Hormuz and uranium enrichment, Sen. Tom Cotton is interviewed on the potential for a 50% tariff on China if they arm Iran
The Bahamas police will decide today whether to charge Brian Hooker in the death of his wife, daughter suspects foul play
Utah Valley University TPUSA chapter president speaks out against a professor speaking at commencement who criticized Charlie Kirk after his assassination
After giving up on making buses free, NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani confirms plans for the first city-run grocery store
One dead, six injured in a New Jersey Chick-fil-A shooting
Two bodies were recovered in the rubble of a collapsed parking garage in Philadelphia
Golfer Rory McIlroy makes history with his second Masters win in a row
A Stanford study shows only 31% of Americans trust AI regulation
Roblox CEO Dave Baszucki announces special accounts for users under 16 following multiple accounts of online grooming
The Artemis II navy divers are interviewed on the historic mission
Ford CEO Jim Farley is interviewed on winning top American auto manufacturer for the ninth year in a row
FOX Newsroom
The U.S. Navy begins a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz to prevent Iran from selling oil and to destroy mines after peace talks failed this weekend, Senate Majority Whip John Barrasso reacts to oil prices spiking to $4.13 average
Rep. Eric Swalwell ends his campaign for California governor following sexual assault allegations, Republican candidate Steve Hilton reacts
NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani announces the first city-run grocery store
Brian Hooker remains in jail in the Bahamas as daughter claims he’s responsible for his wife’s disappearance
The NYPD kill a man wielding a machete at Grand Central Station
🍿 TRENDING AND POUNCING
Tomorrow’s news today…
FAVREAU: “When you say Hamas is a thousand times better, do you actually mean that?”.. PIKER: “I do mean it.” [X, RNC Research]
A total naval blockade on Iranian ships is about to commence, US forces are gearing up to strangle Iranian ports through the Strait of Hormuz. [X, Daugherty]
Some lady let out a piercing Islamic tongue trilling thing, disrupting a concert, and Sabrina Carpenter felt the need to apologize for telling her to stop. [X, Bonchie]
Husband of influencer threatens lawsuit against Eric Swalwell, claims he once sent his wife unsolicited n*des and showed up at her home. [X, Rugg]
🗞️ WHAT THE RIGHT IS WRITING
FOX News Digital
Eric Swalwell exits California governor race [FOX News]
Trump enacts US blockade of the Strait of Hormuz [FOX News]
Iran’s president signals openness to US deal [FOX News]
Breitbart
Trump Says He Doesn’t Care if Iran Returns to Talks — ‘If They Don’t Come Back, I’m Fine’ [Breitbart]
‘Locked and Loaded’ -- Trump: U.S. Navy Blockades Strait of Hormuz [Breitbart]
End of an Era: Viktor Orbán Concedes Defeat in Hungarian Elections [Breitbart]
Wall Street Journal Editorials
Trump Blockades the Blockaders in Iran [WSJ Ed]
The Eric Swalwell Standard [WSJ Ed]
Hungarians Oust Viktor Orbán [WSJ Ed]
Kathy Hochul Takes On the Trial Bar [WSJ Ed]
Taiwan and the Trump-Xi Meeting [WSJ Ed]
New York Post
Inside Bari Weiss’s shaky, arms-length relationship with the president of CBS News [NYP]
Billionaire kicks Eric Swalwell out of his mansion and wants $1M back after heinous sex allegations [NYP]
‘Offensive’ new Epstein book paints Ghislaine Maxwell as victim, claims some girls were money-grabbers [NYP]
Washington Free Beacon
Gavin Newsom Said He Had a ‘Moral Duty’ To Release His Tax Returns Every Year He Served in Office. He Hasn’t Since 2022. [WFB]
Washington Reporter
President Trump tackles issue of Chinese illicit vapes ahead of meeting with Xi [Reporter]
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