OPINION – CULTURE – CELEBRITY FEUDS
Editors Note: This does not necessarily represent the views of The Cute North Georgian Magazine. It is a popculture opinion piece for our weekly series on celebrity feuds & gossip.
I have no plans to watch The Comment Section, a production of The Daily Wire. At 30, I’m a Millennial whose media diet skews away from short-form, Twitch styled content. My cultural touchstones are more likely to emerge from casual browsing on Netflix or scrolling through X. Yet, despite my indifference to the show, I’ve found myself unable to ignore the viral celebrity feud between Brett Cooper and Reagan Conrad—a narrative that keeps surfacing in my algorithm.
What has captivated me isn’t the show itself but the troubling dynamics fueling the feud. The escalating discourse reveals more than just a clash of personalities; it lays bare a deeply ingrained sexism in how Conrad has been targeted and portrayed. This isn’t just celebrity drama; it reflects cultural patterns that merit closer examination.
The Formation of a Narrative
Few situations in the Conservative media landscape have drawn as much attention—or speculation—as the apparent feud between Reagan Conrad and Brett Cooper at The Daily Wire. What began as Brett Cooper’s seemingly straightforward decision to leave her position for the opportunity to launch an independent brand has spiraled into a public spectacle, leaving many to question: Who is the real antagonist in this unfolding play?
Some argue that Reagan Conrad, a newer addition to The Daily Wire lineup, betrayed Brett Cooper, stabbing her in the back to take her position as the host of The Comment Section. Yet, I want to suggest an alternative narrative—that Brett Cooper potentially orchestrated a campaign to ensure Conrad’s failure, employing what many recognize as the classic “flying monkeys” strategy of female bullying.
This strategy, named after the loyal enforcers in The Wizard of Oz, involves a leader leveraging allies to attack or isolate a victim. In this case, Cooper appears to some to have weaponized her social circle to amplify criticism of Conrad while maintaining plausible deniability. Yet, even if Cooper did not explicitly encourage her friends to attack Reagan, she has done little to stop them or address the torrent of abuse and harassment her former best friend now faces as a result of her highly publicized actions and those of her friends and family.
The Casting of Brett Cooper
To understand the tension, one must first trace Brett Cooper’s rapid rise. Unlike many of her colleagues at The Daily Wire, Cooper did not arrive with an established audience. Figures like Matt Walsh spent years cultivating their followings on platforms like Facebook and X, steadily building their brands over the course of a decade. Cooper, by contrast, stepped into the spotlight at just 20, cast as the host of The Comment Section. Her age and trendy E-Girl delivery quickly resonated with younger viewers, transforming her into a cornerstone of The Daily Wire’s efforts to appeal to a Gen-Z demographic.
As her popularity soared, so did her connections within the company. She formed close relationships with several colleagues, including producer Reagan Conrad and podcast host Candace Owens. Reagan, who worked with Brett daily, played a key role behind the scenes, supporting her as The Comment Section became a breakout success. However, these bonds would later be tested as Brett’s professional trajectory shifted.
The Shot Heard ‘Round X
Rumors swirled for weeks leading up to Brett Cooper’s departure from The Daily Wire, setting the stage for an announcement that promised answers but delivered more questions. When Cooper revealed her decision to leave the organization and launch her independent platform, anticipation turned to intrigue. Her demeanor during the announcement fueled speculation; viewers noted her simmering anger and the resentment that seemed to bubble beneath carefully chosen words. While she expressed gratitude toward The Daily Wire and encouraged her audience to support producer Reagan Conrad, the sentiment felt more like a corporate obligation than genuine appreciation or approval.
Adding to the intrigue was her choice of attire: a striking cerulean blue top. To the uninitiated, it may have seemed innocuous, but for her dedicated followers, it was a signal—a response to a fan-driven request. In the days leading up to her announcement, viewers had flooded comment sections with a peculiar ask: Wear blue if you’re leaving under circumstances you can’t fully explain. Her decision to heed that request seemed to confirm what many had suspected—that her departure was not as amicable as it appeared on the surface.
Yet, why should Brett Cooper feel ill-used? What other 20-year-old is plucked from relative obscurity, invested in with volumes of cash, and cast into a lead role of a video-podcast and in the television series The Pendragon Cycle.
Even if contract negotiations did not unfold as Brett Cooper had hoped, or if Jeremy Boreing placed significant pressure on her, joining The Daily Wire meant stepping into the big leagues. According to the infamous secret recording released by Steven Crowder during a discussion where Crowder entered into bad-faith negotiations for a Daily Wire contract, the company is transparent with its talent about the demanding workload and the expectation to work tirelessly—what Boreing controversially referred to as being “wage slaves” in the early stages.
Was Cooper ungrateful for the platform that launched her as a wealthy, prominent rising star? That might be understandable if she was deeply betrayed, but the facts suggest otherwise. It is indisputable that she was not forced out of The Daily Wire.
Moreover, a leaked letter, purportedly written by Jeremy Boreing, surfaced on the r/BrettCooper subreddit. The letter, seemingly validated by one of the subreddit’s administrators, cites an anonymous but trusted source, and suggests that Boreing was keen for Cooper to stay, apparently making multiple offers to retain her. Despite this apparent effort and the significant financial and personal investment The Daily Wire made in her career, it seems Brett Cooper felt betrayed however.
This raises a compelling question: why? The full truth may remain elusive, shielded by the company’s non-disclosure agreements. However, certain clues offer insights that help piece together at least part of the story.
After witnessing her cousin “being ripped to shreds” by the internet, as she described it, Riley Conrad—a fellow conservative influencer—shared her perspective in a now-deleted TikTok video. What began as a personal conflict between Brett Cooper and Reagan has evolved into a situation where their families are publicly defending them, rather than the two addressing the issue directly. However, the Conrads find themselves at a distinct disadvantage, lacking the public prominence and the devoted following that Cooper has cultivated.
According to Riley Conrad, Brett Cooper allegedly expected Reagan to quit her position at The Daily Wire to join her in launching a new venture. If Reagan’s account is accurate, this plan could potentially have left her facing months without a stable income and a significant reduction in wages. In contrast, Reagan valued the security of her job at The Daily Wire, taking a more cautious and pragmatic approach to her career.
This raises an important question: Did Reagan deliberately push Brett to leave in order to take her role, or did she simply support Brett’s decision to pursue independent opportunities, as she had done for years? From what I’ve gathered, Reagan initially stepped in as a substitute for Brett while she filmed The Pendragon Cycle. After Cooper’s departure was confirmed, other individuals auditioned for the position, but Jeremy Boreing ultimately wanted only Reagan. Given her years of experience on the show, the fact that she parntered with Brett to build the audience, her status as second-in-command, and her relative youth and attractiveness, her casting seems both logical and plausible.
While the truth behind whether Reagan pushed Brett out or deceived her may remain elusive, it’s important to note that the notion of Reagan scheming to take Brett’s job appears overly cynical and just lacks substantial evidence.
In contrast, Brett’s behavior since her departure suggests a serious lack of unprofessionalism. From veiled accusations to her apparent resentment, Brett’s conduct has fueled speculation and undermined what could have been a graceful transition.
More than unprofessional, Brett Cooper’s actions reflect poorly on her as a friend. If I chose to leave a show of my own accord, I wouldn’t begrudge a friend for stepping into the role I willingly vacated. Expecting them to do otherwise is very much the reasoning of a 23-year-old. Moreover, as an adult, I wouldn’t demand or even expect my best friend to abandon their career to follow me into uncertainty.
The expectation that just because you quit your job that your bestie should leave with you, especially in the context of a behind-the-scenes producer without name recognition or financial security, borders on diva behavior – a potential byproduct of being cast into a role at a young age without earning it over the course of time.
Producers often lack the resources and public clout to succeed independently, making such a leap a substantial risk that leaves them vulnerable to the whims of talent. Suggesting that a friend take such a gamble is not only unfair but also immature—reflecting a mindset that is perhaps still grappling with the delicate balance between professional ambition and personal loyalty.
Furthermore, if Conrad were to seek employment elsewhere, there is no guarantee that The Daily Wire would welcome her back. Moving beyond conservative media, especially into the left-leaning realm of Hollywood, could require relocating and might even result in unemployment in her chosen field.
Even if Conrad initially agreed to follow Brett, it’s entirely understandable if, after a cooling-off period, she began to doubt that decision and lacked the resolve to move forward with it—especially when faced with a new opportunity for career advancement. Changing her mind would not be a betrayal, and certainly not one that justifies the harassment, bullying, and outright abuse directed at Reagan, or at those who had invested in Cooper’s success.
Moreover, Cooper’s speech at AMFEST, hosted by Turning Point USA, raised critical eyebrows as it seemed to criticize The Daily Wire. While I agree with her emphasis on gratitude—something we should all focus on—she doesn’t appear to follow her own advice. She spoke at length about friends disappointing her, shifting alliances, and others falling short, but concluded that Brett would eventually overcome her disappointments. Again, this just lacks professionalism.
The “Mother” of all Problems
Adding fuel to the fire, Brett’s mother repeatedly “liking” hateful comments about Reagan Conrad doesn’t feel accidental—it feels calculated, especially since the individual comments were narrative-forming. Some people take the mom’s support of Brett as proof of wrongdoing on the part of Conrad, yet isn’t it also true that Brett was emancipated as a teenager due to an unsafe home enviroment? A mother would do better not to provide unqualified support. However, absent or neglectful parents will often offer unrestrained backing simply to win their child’s favor or to adopt the facade of a “mama bear.”
Such actions subtly drop those Taylor Swift-styled “Easter eggs” for Brett’s audience, signaling accusation without outright saying it. This strategy, whether intentional or not, allows Brett to distance herself publicly while quietly encouraging a narrative that paints Reagan as the antagonist – which much of the internet appears to believe. This belief gains further credibility from the fact that Brett unfollowed Reagan, the Daily Wire, and Jeremy Boreing, yet continues to follow hosts who remain in her favor.
Then there’s the involvement of Brett’s high-profile friends and fans, who’ve taken to making videos that, intentionally or not, embolden their fans to target Reagan. This behavior mirrors the classic “flying monkeys” strategy—a term coined to describe a type of bullying where allies, rather than the individuals themselves, carry out the attacks. It’s a method that offers plausible deniability while unleashing a wave of online harassment against the perceived rival.
While there are always two sides to a story, I feel that the optics here don’t favor Brett if one looks closely. The question looms: If Reagan genuinely stepped into a role Brett left willingly, why the hostility? And if the animosity stems from deeper, unresolved tensions, then the audience—caught in the crossfire of subtweets, Instagram likes, and carefully worded videos—might be witnessing a feud that says more about Brett’s insecurities than Reagan’s actions.
This orchestrated shade, whether intentional or not, raises larger questions about how women navigate professional competition, particularly in spaces as visible and scrutinized as media. It’s one thing to rise to the top; it’s another to leave gracefully without tearing others down in the process. A single word from Brett could silence the pitchfork mob caricaturing and harassing her former best friend, yet she remains conspicuously silent as her friend is engulfed.
And “engulfed” is the right word. I’ve watched numerous hostile YouTube videos and read hundreds of comments where people spread baseless rumors about Reagan Conrad. The sexist attacks question her chastity, circulate unflattering AI images of her with smeared mascara, and unleash every kind of vitriol the internet throws at women it deems vulnerable.
The “Temu Brett” Comment
One of Cooper’s most influential allies, Candace Owens—a former podcast host for The Daily Wire—publicly commented on the Brett Cooper/Reagan Conrad drama. Owens amplified a YouTube comment that referred to Reagan as “Temu Brett” and appeared to suggest, in her typical “I’m JUSt AsKiNG QuEsTiOnS” fashion, that some people say Reagan had stabbed Cooper in the back, all while dramatically gesturing with crazy eyes and a strange stabbing motion.
It’s worth noting that Owens, who parted ways with The Daily Wire over her controversial views—including open anti-Semitism, moon-landing denial, and the bizarre claim that the French president’s wife is allegedly a man—has her own grievances with the company. She seemed to relish both Brett’s departure and Reagan’s suffering, practically clicking her heels at the discomfiture of her former company.
Moreover, Owens platformed comments that accused Conrad of taking acting classes to mimic Brett Cooper – a now-debunked and widely dismissed claim. On the surface, this accusation seems frivolous—after all, best friends often adopt each other’s mannerisms. Given Reagan’s behind-the-scenes role, it’s even possible that Brett was influenced by Conrad. My guess however is their personalities were probably similar, and their close friendship would inevitably lead to overlap in their expressions and behaviors over time. These two were undeniably very close.
Joining the Queen of the Groypers
Throughout 2024, the world has watched the unraveling of Candace Owens as she promotes numerous conspiracy theories and her comment sections fill up with bots and groypers spewing the worse anti-Jewish content I have ever seen on the internet. It’s truly vile. Yet, she appears to love her crown as Queen of the Groypers, mistaking her growth on social media as a sign of approval, when it appears to be approval from a dark place or bots sent by people sympathetic to her anti-semitic views. That said, most mainstream conservatives inch away from her as if moving from a rotted carcass.
Yet, Cooper does not seem to notice or mind the stench, indeed, according to Owens they may even do collaborations. Moreover Cooper in the past few weeks has also ‘liked’ one of Owen’s posts labeling Israel’s actions in Gaza a genocide, then promoted a Groyper singer whose song promotes propaganda against the Israeli’s.
Conclusion
Look, I don’t hate Brett Cooper, and honestly, I sympathize with her because I’ve been 23 too. At that age, if I had quit a job, I might have expected my best friend to follow me, but I hope I wouldn’t have stood by while people humiliated and abused someone I once considered my closest ally. This feeling of sympathy is amplified by the fact that her parents do not seem to play an active role in her life, or at least one where they might be a meaningful infuence. She is married, but is her husband a media personality with years of experience in contract negotiations and influencer personalities as narcissistic as Owens’? I think Cooper isn’t a bad person, but she needs wisdom and perspective, and she teeters dangerously close to diva territory.
That said, I genuinely dislike the idea of someone with Brett’s potential aligning herself with Candace Owens and her followers. In fact, I suspect Owens may be encouraging some of Cooper’s missteps, as it fits her own agenda of provoking The Daily Wire. While Brett already has a huge following and could easily become the “Red Pill Princess,” I sincerely hope she doesn’t sacrifice her reputation by hitching her wagon to someone like Candace.
For audiences, the feud offers a voyeuristic glimpse into the inner workings of a high-profile media company. As the drama unfolds, one question looms: Is Reagan Conrad truly the usurper her critics claim, or is Brett Cooper orchestrating—or simply standing by while her friends organize—her former best friend’s downfall? The full truth may never fully emerge, but for now, one thing is clear: When Candace Owens stated that “women are awful, I’ve seen women do so many awful things,” I agree—but I don’t believe that statement should be applied to Reagan.
