• Washington
  • Wall Street
  • A.I.
  • Hollywood
  • Media
  • Fashion
  • Sports
  • Art
  • Join Puck Newsletters What is puck? Authors Podcasts Gift Puck Careers Events
  • Join Puck

    Directly Supporting Authors

    A new economic model in which writers are also partners in the business.

    Personalized Subscriptions

    Customize your settings to receive the newsletters you want from the authors you follow.

    Stay in the Know

    Connect directly with Puck talent through email and exclusive events.

  • What is puck? Newsletters Authors Podcasts Events Gift Puck Careers

{{ 'now' | timezone: 'America/New_York' | date: '%b %d, %Y' }}

The Daily Courant

Trump’s Soybean Diplomacy, Bobbi Brownonomics, New York’s Spring Auction Preview

Welcome back to The Daily Courant, your afternoon guide to Puck’s best new reporting. Here’s what you need to know… and stick around for more on Elon Musk’s trillionaire status.

  • Dry Powder: Elon Musk is worth at least $688 billion—a figure that, with the SpaceX I.P.O. looming, may soon launch into trillion-dollar territory. Bill Cohan digs into Musk’s portfolio and explains how the world’s first trillionaire may already exist (at least on paper). [Read More]
  • In the Room: This week, comedian turned media mogul Byron Allen announced that he would be taking a 52 percent stake in BuzzFeed, rescuing Jonah Peretti’s listicle giant from bankruptcy. Dylan Byers chats with bankers, media executives, and Polo Lounge denizens about the dubious logic of his $20 million pivot-to-video bet. [Read More]
  • The Best & The Brightest: Nebraska Rep. Adrian Smith isn’t a fan of Trump’s tariffs—requiring him to tiptoe around the administration while farmers and ranchers in his state fume about its trade policies. Leigh Ann Caldwell sits down with the Republican congressman to talk soybean diplomacy, the USMCA renewal, and his beef with Canada. [Read More]
  • Line Sheet: A decade after exiting her namesake brand, Bobbi Brown has built Jones Road into a $200 million-plus direct-to-consumer business—without P.E. cash or a Sephora partnership. Rachel Strugatz charts the remarkable second act keeping Estée Lauder executives up at night. [Read More]
  • Wall Power: This spring’s New York contemporary art auctions arrive at a pivotal moment for a market desperate to build on recent momentum. Marion Maneker previews the week ahead—including a tale of two Rothkos, a showstopping Basquiat, and all the inter-auction-house competition. [Inner Circle Exclusive]
 

Meanwhile, on the pods…

  • The Town: Live from Los Angeles, Matt Belloni sits down with legendary writer-producer David E. Kelley to discuss developing TV for a streamer vs. a legacy studio, writing OnlyFans into his new show, and the hallmarks of a good TV exec. [Listen Here]
  • The Powers That Be: Peter Hamby and Malique Morris dig into Vinted, the $9 billion Lithuanian resale platform attempting to crack the U.S. market, before turning to the shake-up at Vestiaire Collective. [Listen Here]

And now, a little more on Elon’s trillionaire status…

 

WALL STREET

Is Elon Already a Trillionaire?

Is Elon Already a Trillionaire?

Elon Musk is worth some $688 billion at the moment—up $69 billion this year alone, which makes him nearly twice as wealthy as Google co-founder Larry Page, the world’s second-richest man. Sure, net worth guesstimates can be flawed, but the calculation will get a whole lot clearer when SpaceX goes public this summer—a historic liquidity event that will almost certainly transform America’s chief “broligarch” into the world’s first trillionaire.

In his latest dispatch, Bill inspected Musk’s portfolio to get a better sense of where his finances currently stand. Musk owns roughly 42 percent of SpaceX, a stake that would be worth around $735 billion if the I.P.O. goes off as planned. Layer in his 20 percent ownership of Tesla (worth around $260 billion), plus another $100 billion for his new compensation package, and Musk is already at $1.1 trillion on paper—even before factoring in Neuralink and The Boring Company. The kicker: If Wall Street’s I.P.O. hype delivers the kind of trading pop that highly coveted offerings tend to produce, his SpaceX stake alone could clear $1 trillion. So much for income inequality…

Click here to read Bill’s full story.

MEDIA

Dylan Byers Dylan Byers
Byron’s BuzzFeed Mercy Play

Byron’s BuzzFeed Mercy Play

Byron Allen is betting $20 million that he can resuscitate the faded quiz-and-listicle destination with a… wait for it… pivot to video. Is this the most foolhardy investment since Rupert’s bet on Vice, or does Allen know something we don’t?

WASHINGTON

Leigh Ann Caldwell Leigh Ann Caldwell
Yo, Adrian!

Yo, Adrian!

Congressman Adrian Smith, one of three Republicans representing all of Nebraska, offers his candid thoughts on Trump’s soybean diplomacy, the tariff backlash, his beef with Canada, the party’s “affordability” balancing act, and more.

FASHION

Rachel Strugatz Rachel Strugatz
How Bobbi Brown Beat Bobbi Brown

How Bobbi Brown Beat Bobbi Brown

A decade after exiting her original namesake brand, Brown has achieved an extraordinary second round of success with Jones Road without private equity, Ulta, or Sephora. It must be keeping the Estée Lauder Companies executives up at night.

ART

Marion Maneker Marion Maneker
Seven Days in May
Inner Circle Exclusive

Seven Days in May

This May’s sales are dominated by big collections—Newhouse, Mnuchin, et al.—but a handful of competitive discretionary sales will ultimately reveal more about the state of the market and the competition between the houses.

HOLLYWOOD

Matthew Belloni Matthew Belloni
The Town with Matt Belloni

What Makes Good TV Writers (and Execs), With David E. Kelley

Live from Los Angeles, Matt is joined by writer and producer David E. Kelley (Margo’s Got Money Troubles, Big Little Lies, L.A. Law) to talk about the difference between producing television for a streamer vs. a traditional legacy studio, writing about OnlyFans in his new show, what makes a good TV executive, whether he has ever used A.I., and more.

FASHION

Peter Hamby Peter Hamby
Malique Morris Malique Morris
The Powers that Be Daily, Starring Peter Hamby

Vinted’s $10M American Invasion

Malique Morris joins Peter to dig into Vinted, the $9 billion Lithuanian resale platform now spending more than $10 million to crack the U.S. market—and rattling eBay enough to trigger a $1.2 billion acquisition of Depop. Then they discuss how Vestiaire Collective’s new C.E.O. and higher seller fees are reshaping the luxury resale market.

Puck
Facebook Twitter Instagram LinkedIn

Need help? Review our FAQ page or contact us for assistance. For brand partnerships, email ads@puck.news.

You received this email because you signed up to receive emails from Puck, or as part of your Puck account associated with {{customer.email}}. To stop receiving this newsletter and/or manage all your email preferences, click here.

 

Puck is published by Heat Media LLC. 107 Greenwich St., New York, NY 10006

SHARE
Try Puck for free

Sign up today to join the inside conversation at the nexus of Wall Street, Washington, A.I., Hollywood, and more.

Already a member? Log In


  • Daily articles and breaking news
  • Personal emails directly from our authors
  • Gift subscriber-only stories to friends & family
  • Unlimited access to archives

  • Exclusive bonus days of select newsletters
  • Exclusive access to Puck merch
  • Early bird access to new editorial and product features
  • Invitations to private conference calls with Puck authors

Exclusive to Inner Circle only



Latest Articles

Joe Baldacci
Marianna Sotomayor • May 14, 2026
The Other Maine Event
In the vast 2nd congressional district, four primary candidates are fighting to succeed Jared Golden—and become a general-election underdog to G.O.P. former Gov. Paul LePage.
Graham Platner
Leigh Ann Caldwell • May 14, 2026
The Platner Primary
Hill Democrats have split into two factions over Maine's baggage-laden, soon-to-be Democratic nominee for Senate—those who see him as their best chance to flip the seat, and those dreaming of a new candidate.
Brendan Sorsby
Eriq Gardner • May 14, 2026
Could Brendan Sorsby End the NCAA’s “Pay-for-Play” Era?
The University of Cincinnati is suing to collect $1 million in N.I.L. damages after Sorsby defected to Texas Tech—a ticking time bomb case that could imperil player contracts across all of college sports.


hermes
Lauren Sherman • May 14, 2026
Orange Crush
Decades of ultra-exclusivity have helped Hermès transcend many of the crises bedeviling the rest of the luxury industry. But staying above the fray may require tinkering with its generational playbook.
Peter Rothpletz headshot
Julia Alexander • May 14, 2026
All Tuckered Out
A conversation with Peter Rothpletz, founder of the newly launched Verbatim Media, which hopes to do for progressive creators what Fox’s Red Seat Ventures has done for Tucker Carlson and Megyn Kelly.
Florida Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz
Marianna Sotomayor • May 14, 2026
The Dems’ Debbie Downer
The 11-term Broward County rep saw her district gerrymandered away and opted to run in a historically Black district. The backlash was immediate.


Lesley Stahl
William D. Cohan • May 14, 2026
Lesley’s Choice
In a candid chat, the longtime 60 Minutes star correspondent explained her fraught decision to stay on after perhaps the most bizarre week in the show’s history. “It’s just been obviously the hardest chapter of my career,” she said. “This was by far the worst experience I’ve been involved in, or even witnessed.”


Get access to this story

Enter your email for a free preview of Puck’s full offering, including exclusive articles, private emails from authors, and more.

Verify your email and sign in by clicking the link we just sent.

Already a member? Log In


Start 14 Day Free Trial for Unlimited Access Instead →



Latest Articles

De Bayser Sotheby's
Marion Maneker • May 14, 2026
Sotheby’s Object Lessons
The latest design sales commingle art and design objects in a way that offers everyone a teachable moment: They educate art collectors on the potential value of design objects, while giving the design people a greater appreciation for high-dollar contemporary artworks.
Nadège Vanhee
Lauren Sherman • May 14, 2026
The Increasing Allure of Nadège Vanhee
The Hermès women's designer was in full command of her powers at the brand's Bel Air runway show on Thursday, and is building heat ahead of her couture debut next year.
resee parada fashion brands
Malique Morris • May 14, 2026
Fashion Attention Wars (And How Prada Gets Away With It)
News and notes on an industry drowning in content, and the brands that broke through, for better and for worse: Victoria’s Secret’s teen charm campaign, Patagonia’s drag infringement suit, Lululemon’s customer confusion, and how Prada pulled off the rarest trick in luxury.


Francis Picabia
Marion Maneker • May 14, 2026
Picabia’s Final Frontier
The yacht-owning, sports car–loving artist Francis Picabia defied the odds in nearly all aspects of his life and career—and only now are his striking pinup works being taken seriously.
French Hill
Leigh Ann Caldwell • May 14, 2026
French Hill Has Eyes
The chairman of the House Financial Services Committee joins Puck’s Power Breakfast series to walk through his ambitious legislative agenda: the stalemate over crypto, sticking points on housing reform, Republican reservations about the president’s immigration banking order, and his complicated position on Ukraine.
Lesley Stahl
Dylan Byers • May 14, 2026
Lesley Stahl & The ‘60 Minutes’ Guys Are Staying
In a brief manifesto, Stahl, Bill Whitaker, and Jon Wertheim acknowledged deep frustrations with the new leadership of the show, but worried that leaving now would make things even worse. An earlier draft of the memo was even more critical.


jerry Lorenzo
Lauren Sherman & Malique Morris • May 14, 2026
More Fear of God Exits
Jerry Lorenzo’s reassertion of control at the L.A. label has coincided with a string of departures.
Get access to this story

Enter your email to get access to one article and free previews of our private emails from Puck authors and editors.

OR

Already a Member? Sign in



Latest Articles

David Ellison
Matthew Belloni • May 14, 2026
At What Point Will Ellison Intervene at CBS News?
With ‘60 Minutes’ in chaos and star correspondent Lesley Stahl hiring superagent Bryan Lourd to guide her future, the Paramount owner may soon need to decide how much he’ll let Bari Weiss disrupt the show—and the news division—before reining her in.
jeffrey kessler
Eriq Gardner • May 14, 2026
Ellison’s Legal Gladiator Is Ready for War
Jeffrey Kessler, the legendary antitrust and entertainment industry litigator, goes on the record to explain why he’s defending the Paramount–Warner Bros. merger, how politics is impacting the opposition, and what it all means for CBS News and CNN.
conor McGregor
John Ourand • May 14, 2026
Searching for Conor McGregor
The UFC is at the beginning of a seven-year, $7.7 billion media deal, the envy of every other emerging sports outfit in the world, and about to reach the ultimate mark of Trump II cultural dominance with a much-hyped fight card on the White House lawn. So where are all its new stars?


Sen. Chuck Schumer
Leigh Ann Caldwell • May 14, 2026
Anti-Anti-Weaponizaton Blowback & What White Women Want
The G.O.P. mini-revolt continues, albeit with limited results. And a new poll shows that a crucial swing bloc is mighty concerned about corruption.
Sebastian Gorka
Julia Ioffe • May 14, 2026
Trump’s New Rules for Radicals
The State Department spent Tuesday trying to convince diplomats that antifa is the new Al Qaeda—but Foggy Bottom isn’t buying it.
luca de meo
Lauren Sherman • May 14, 2026
Luca’s People
Luca de Meo’s grand turnaround plan for Kering was met with skepticism in April. But insiders are starting to see his penchant for installing executives from outside the industry as the only path forward.


Sam Altman
Ian Krietzberg • May 14, 2026
The Great A.I. PAC Crackup
With public opinion—and a slew of presidential hopefuls—beating back A.I.’s “no rules” agenda, the lobbyist armies of Andreessen Horowitz and OpenAI are suddenly supporting safeguards they rejected just a year ago.


  • Terms
  • Privacy
  • Contact
  • FAQ
  • Careers
© 2026 Heat Media All rights reserved.
Create an account

Already a member? Log In

CREATE AN ACCOUNT with Google
CREATE AN ACCOUNT with Google
OR YOUR EMAIL

OR

Use Email & Password Instead

USE EMAIL & PASSWORD
Password strength:

OR

Use Another Sign-Up Method

Become a member

All of the insider knowledge from our top tier authors, in your inbox.

Create an account

Already a member? Log In

Verify your email!

You should receive a link to log in at .

I DID NOT RECEIVE A LINK

Didn't get an email? Check your spam folder and confirm the spelling of your email, and try again. If you continue to have trouble, reach out to fritz@puck.news.

CREATE AN ACCOUNT with Google
CREATE AN ACCOUNT with Google
CREATE AN ACCOUNT with Apple
CREATE AN ACCOUNT with Apple
OR USE EMAIL & PASSWORD
Password strength:

OR
Log In

Not a member yet? Sign up today

Log in with Google
Log in with Google
Log in with Apple
Log in with Apple
OR USE EMAIL & PASSWORD
Don't have a password or need to reset it?

OR
Verify Account

Verify your email!

You should receive a link to log in at .

I DID NOT RECEIVE A LINK

Didn't get an email? Check your spam folder and confirm the spelling of your email, and try again. If you continue to have trouble, reach out to fritz@puck.news.

YOUR EMAIL

Use a different sign in option instead

Member Exclusive

Get access to this story

Create a free account to preview Puck’s full offering, including exclusive articles, private emails from authors, and more.

Already a member? Sign in

Free article unlocked!

You are logged into a free account as unknown@example.com

ENJOY 1 FREE ARTICLE EACH MONTH

Subscribe today to join the inside conversation at the nexus of Wall Street, Washington, A.I., Hollywood, and more.

START 14-DAY FREE TRIAL

  • Daily articles and breaking news
  • Personal emails directly from our authors
  • Gift subscriber-only stories to friends & family
  • Unlimited access to archives
  • Bookmark articles to create a Reading List
  • Quarterly calls with industry experts from the power corners we cover