Theodore Schleifer • March 22, 2022

Mini-Benioff Makes His Mega-Play

Behind the scenes, Twilio C.E.O. Jeff Lawson and his wife Erica have been making strategic moves in the big-money world of Democratic politics. This is the inside story of their first major project.

Theodore Schleifer • March 15, 2022

Yuri’s Red Line & The Chesa Money Bomb

Milner, the formerly oligarch-friendly V.C., appears to have decisively closed the door on Russia. Plus, insider updates on San Francisco’s venture-fueled recall campaign and a diplomatic breakthrough in Biden’s megadonor embargo.

Theodore Schleifer • March 8, 2022

Thiel’s Hard Pitch & Obama’s Secret Meeting

The latest inside reporting on Thiel’s political maneuvering, Obama’s private visit with Laurene’s Emerson Collective, an intriguing idea from Eric Schmidt’s team, and Yuri Milner’s Russia statement.

Theodore Schleifer • March 1, 2022

Yuri Milner’s Eastern Promises

Economic sanctions targeting Russia, and oligarch Alisher Usmanov, are raising new questions about Milner’s past financial partners. So far, he’s staying quiet.

Tina Nguyen • February 24, 2022

Trump Media’s Achilles’ Heel

John Matze, the former C.E.O. of Parler, reflects on the logistical and economic challenges of growing Truth Social from a social-media laughingstock into a legitimate Twitter rival.

Theodore Schleifer • February 22, 2022

Steve Jobs’ Heir Imagines His Post-Pelosi Future

Reed Jobs, the well-liked millennial son of Laurene Powell Jobs and the late Steve Jobs, has privately talked about a political run, including for Nancy Pelosi’s seat if it opens. It may herald the dawn of a new era: Society is currently being remade by a group of super-billionaires. Pretty soon, their kids will take over.

Theodore Schleifer • February 16, 2022

The Notorious S.B.F.

Sam Bankman-Fried, the 29-year-old crypto zillionaire, epitomizes a new generation of mega-donors who blend big-money politics, applied math, and the reading list of a senior-year philosophy seminar. So naturally, he’s the hottest ticket in the most rarefied realms of philanthropy.

Baratunde Thurston • February 15, 2022

My Joe Rogan Playlist

Nine thoughts on Spotify, “free speech,” deplatforming, and what the Rogan crisis really means.

Theodore Schleifer • February 8, 2022

The Pelosi Nepotism Succession Question

With Republicans expected to retake the House in November, could Pelosi’s congressional seat become a family dynasty? Plus: Zuckerberg loses Thiel, Melinda goes rogue (or not), and Silicon Valley discovers diversity.

Alex Kantrowitz • February 4, 2022

For Facebook, It’s Metaverse Or Bust

Zuckerberg is diverting billions of dollars into the metaverse, even as Facebook’s core business begins to sour. Wall Street is selling and employees are skeptical. Is it too late to turn back?

Baratunde Thurston • February 2, 2022

Crypto’s Colorblind Promise

For so much of U.S. history, Black people were not allowed to build wealth. But as I explore experiments in web3 and blockchain, I’m seeing a lot more Black people than I used to see in Web 1.0 and 2.0. Is the prospect of “generational wealth” the real deal?

Theodore Schleifer • February 1, 2022

The Thiel Index

A potentially definitive, highly unscientific analysis of who has the most political juice right now in Silicon Valley.

Baratunde Thurston • January 27, 2022

Fauci Fatigue & Maddow in the Metaverse

Notes on Jack Dorsey's successor, the stratification of digital media, and Omicron-era information overload.

Theodore Schleifer • January 25, 2022

Can Yuri Milner and Jeff Bezos End Death?

The inside conversation about Silicon Valley’s favorite charity, MacKenzie Scott’s personnel debate, and Bezos’ latest effort to perfect his physique.

Dylan Byers • January 19, 2022

The Real Story Behind the Kotick-Nadella Deal

How a peace offering from Phil Spencer, Microsoft’s gaming chief, led Activision’s Bobby Kotick to a $69 billion deal.