Your BRIGHT Week in Review

Plus: Dinner and a Movie 🐿

Reminder that I’m still celebrating 47 with 47% off annual BRIGHT subscription!

Photo of the Week

President Trump, Dana White and Elon Musk on election night at Mar-A-Lago.

Corporate Media is the Biggest Loser of the Election

Following Kamala Harris’s election loss, media networks reacted strongly, with some claiming this as much a defeat for them as for Harris. Yes, it is.

Elle Purnell at The Federalist wrote that the media’s consistent anti-Trump efforts, which included promoting a “Russia collusion” narrative, extensive January 6th coverage, and various portrayals of Trump as authoritarian, largely failed to sway voters as intended. Increasingly, Americans disregarded media narratives and showed skepticism toward claims about Trump as a “threat” to democracy, especially after observing perceived bias in pandemic and political coverage. Analysts suggest this election reflects a decline in media influence over public opinion, as Americans turn to alternative sources.

More from Purnell:

They watched the same thing unfold when the media insisted the Biden family influence-peddling scandal was Russian disinformation right before the 2020 election. And as the media kept screaming about Trump being a “threat,” Americans saw him handing out french fries, swapping jokes and family anecdotes with their favorite podcasters, and talking about how much he loves America. (Speaking of podcasts, Trump’s interview with host Joe Rogan garnered a whopping two-thirds the views of the presidential debate hosted by ABC.)

The less Americans bought their lies, the more the media piled on the rhetoric. But that isn’t working anymore. Instead, the more maniacally the media amp up their attacks, the less they appear to be sticking.

If the past eight years — and the first few hours of cope-streaming from TV Wednesday morning — are any indication, the legacy press isn’t planning on repentance. They don’t feel obligated to represent Americans; they feel entitled to control them. The loss of that control is making them apoplectic.

What I’m Reading This Week

Remember the early BRIGHT feature Mondays with Melania? It was one of my favorites to write. I’m clearly still staying hopeful despite the above because this week I’m reading her memoir, Melania. From the description:

In her memoir, Melania reflects on her Slovenian childhood, the pivotal moments that led her to the world of high fashion in Europe and New York, and the serendipitous meeting with Donald Trump, a chance encounter that forever changed the course of her life. Melania opens up about their courtship, life in the spotlight, and experiencing the joy of motherhood. She shares behind-the-scenes stories from her time in the White House, shedding light on her advocacy work and the causes close to her heart.

Conservative Wellness Warriors

The Washington Post has a profile on “conservative wellness warrior” Alex Clark that makes me feel old. Mostly because I feel very plugged into the wellness and political worlds but haven’t heard of her. The Post says Clark has become a prominent figure in wellness and conservative media, blending health messaging with political views. Hosting the “Culture Apothecary” podcast for Turning Point USA, Clark targets issues such as food safety, distrust of government health agencies, and corporate influence in agriculture and medicine, often adopting conspiratorial tones, as the Post describes.

I’ve been critical of scare tactics from people like Gwyneth Paltrow and FoodBabe in the past, as they seem to target women and exclusively use scare tactics with similar phrases like leeching and toxins. The Post says her style appeals to young, politically disengaged women, encouraging skepticism toward Big Food and Big Pharma. This also echoes the political realignment I wrote about in BRIGHT this week. The status quo and neocons are now Democrats, while those questioning Big Food and Big Pharma are Republicans. We’re also the ones supporting Title IX and women in sports! One of the interesting parts of Joe Rogan’s interview with JD Vance last week was how working out, particularly jiu jitsu, and becoming a meat enthusiast, could be what’s red-pilling Mark Zuckerberg. I notice Jeff Bezos is still jacked, too. I wonder what they think of the MAHA movement?

Clark has amassed followers by combining health tips with lifestyle commentary and conservative values. She’s also vocal about her prolife views and vaccination concerns, framing them in terms of individual freedom and health. The Washington Post worries her influence risks eroding public trust in government health institutions, you know, because when have they ever let us down?

I’d love to know what BRIGHT readers think because I’m obviously skeptical of the Post, though it’s worth noting that she said the reporter was fair. Her YouTube channel is here.

Feeling Brain Drain?

If you are feeling the brain drain from this election week (or the last four years), Epoch Health offers practical, everyday brain challenges that support cognitive health without requiring major lifestyle changes. Emphasizing the principle of “use it or lose it,” the article discusses how regularly engaging the brain in simple, purposeful activities can help maintain and even enhance cognitive function. Among the activities that foster mental agility: quizzing yourself on what you read, navigating without GPS, memorizing important facts, immersing in chaotic environments, conversing with strangers, using your nondominant hand, shopping without a list, solving math in your head, and committing to longer reading sessions.

Each task is designed to fit easily into daily routines while stimulating mental faculties like memory, attention, and problem-solving. By embracing these accessible challenges, readers can strengthen their cognitive reserve, which may lower the risk of conditions like Alzheimer’s, and enjoy a more adaptable and resilient mind throughout life.

Dinner and a Movie

Saturday is my birthday, so I’m taking a break from cooking dinner and we’re having dinner from my favorite barbecue restaurant. If you’re still in the MAGA spirit, check out President Trump’s Mother’s Meat Loaf, which is also served at Mar-A-Lago.

A good movie for those who don’t understand the Trump victory and for those who want to celebrate it: Caddyshack.