• Washington
  • Wall Street
  • Silicon Valley
  • 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
Welcome to a special issue of The Stratosphere. I’m writing you a day early with some inside-the-room details on what happened to Sean McElwee and his firm, Data for Progress, once S.B.F. imploded.
 ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ 
The Stratosphere

PREVIEW VERSION

Start a free 7 day trial to unlock unlimited access to Puck.

Good evening from San Francisco.

Like many political reporters, I’m personally familiar with Sean McElwee, the influential, sometimes controversial young Democratic operative and pollster. McElwee—smart, confident and combative—rose with a generation of Democratic donors, like Sam Bankman-Fried, who wanted to do things differently.

Today, I’m writing you a day early with some inside-the-room details on what happened to McElwee and his firm, Data for Progress, once S.B.F. imploded. It is a story that says a lot about the progressive left, about the Internet, and about the ever-expanding blast radius from S.B.F. this month. I’ll be back in your inbox tomorrow...

Can’t see the full story? You’re receiving the free version of The Stratosphere at . For full access to Puck, and to each of my colleagues, you can subscribe here.

Learn More
An S.B.F. Ally in the Barrel
An S.B.F. Ally in the Barrel
Sean McElwee, the ur-connected political operative, is the latest to get singed by the FTX scandal following a no-confidence vote at Data for Progress. His exit speaks volumes, not only about Sam Bankman-Fried, but about the power of social media contagion.
TEDDY SCHLEIFER TEDDY SCHLEIFER
There are few political operatives more in the zeitgeist than Sean McElwee, the media-savvy pollster whose firm, Data for Progress, has been at the center of a recent debate over how Democrats should run campaigns. Over the last few years, McElwee, a socialist turned pseudo-centrist, became a...
Keep Reading with a Free Trial
FOUR STORIES WE’RE TALKING ABOUT
Iger Succession Tarot
Iger Succession Tarot
A close look at the short list of Bob Iger’s potential Disney successors.
MATTHEW BELLONI
After Twitter
After Twitter
What is the future of the digital town square, post-Elon?
BARATUNDE THURSTON
D.C. Media Collapse
D.C. Media Collapse
A conversation surrounding Iger’s return, the collapse of Protocol, and more.
PETER HAMBY & JON KELLY
Icahn’s Big Short
Icahn’s Big Short
News and notes on some of the most controversial storylines percolating through Wall Street.
WILLIAM D. COHAN
Puck
Facebook Twitter Instagram LinkedIn

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

Puck is published by Heat Media LLC. 227 W 17th St New York, NY 10011.

SEE THE ARCHIVES

SHARE
Try Puck for free

Sign up today to join the inside conversation at the nexus of Wall Street, Washington, Silicon Valley, 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 from Silicon Valley

Theodore Schleifer • November 29, 2022
The Rise and Fall of Jack and Bobby
The bizarre and totally unsurprising story of how Jack Dorsey’s advocacy for Robert F. Kennedy Jr. unnerved some members of the Block board.
Baratunde Thurston • November 29, 2022
Ab sed dolorem fugit quia
Magni aut voluptatem.
Ryan Williams • November 29, 2022
Elon Sharpens His Vampire Teeth
Elon’s consummation, Zaz’s looming target, Ackman’s about-face, and other pressing questions sliding into Wall Street’s DMs.


Ryan Williams • November 29, 2022
How the Trump-McCarthy Romance Ends
Notes on McCarthy’s newly-imperiled path toward the House speakership, Ron DeSantis’ latest attack on Disney, and Eric Trump’s unlikely ambassadorship.
Theodore Schleifer • November 29, 2022
Bezos’s Secret Company and Biden’s $875k-a-Ticket Fundraiser
Notes on Eric Schmidt's 9/11-style commission, Biden's next fundraiser, and the latest developments in the Gates-Epstein scandal.
Ray Madoff
Theodore Schleifer • November 29, 2022
The Biggest Story in the Billionaire Philanthropy World
Two strange bedfellows have made a ruckus by pushing the most sweeping change to the rules surrounding nonprofit funding in half a century.


Eriq Gardner & Baratunde Thurston • November 29, 2022
“Too Quiet for Comfort”: Did Silicon Valley Botch the Recall?
Fundraisers and donors across the tech industry agree that Silicon Valley has underinvested in the recall—perhaps to Gavin Newsom’s peril.


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 from Silicon Valley

Theodore Schleifer • November 29, 2022
The Inevitability of the World’s First Trillionaire
Dolor provident consequatur commodi consectetur accusantium possimus et qui praesentium et quidem tempora et voluptatum quidem magni et necessitatibus suscipit et saepe atque magni cum perferendis dolor enim eligendi aliquid molestias qui ut tenetur placeat deleniti sequi sint a itaque rem error ut sapiente dicta repudiandae facere rem hic nemo velit harum repellat perspiciatis accusamus voluptate unde reprehenderit amet a quasi et inventore voluptatem ut deleniti iste in non quia itaque id voluptates veritatis cum illum. Atque earum voluptatem magnam voluptatibus exercitationem doloremque provident cumque qui quisquam est ut mollitia velit sit nihil sunt ut libero similique dolores nulla quo architecto voluptas aut perferendis explicabo cumque iusto rerum eum sed quam delectus id recusandae error quis ut doloribus et dolor veniam deleniti explicabo dolores temporibus minima qui placeat accusamus doloremque reprehenderit sit ipsa commodi omnis commodi reiciendis dolores in perferendis impedit porro accusantium velit ad nemo iste amet ex vero maxime.
Baratunde Thurston • November 29, 2022
A Modest Proposal for Fixing America’s Hilariously Broken Economy
Welcome to a special issue of The Stratosphere. I’m writing you a day early with some inside-the-room details on what happened to Sean McElwee and his firm, Data for Progress, once S.B.F. imploded.  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  PREVIEW VERSION Start a free 7 day trial to unlock unlimited access to Puck. Good evening from San Francisco. Like many […]
Theodore Schleifer • November 29, 2022
Can Zuckerberg’s Old Roommate Strong-Arm Washington?
Ut dolores eos consequatur qui praesentium occaecati sequi qui molestias fuga eos magnam autem placeat harum et aut et repudiandae maiores ut est cum magni necessitatibus ea aspernatur omnis officiis qui voluptates dolores labore in non maxime excepturi accusantium possimus in et reprehenderit ab adipisci velit recusandae minima provident necessitatibus harum eaque consectetur.


agruberg@101studiosco.com • November 29, 2022
Sed qui voluptatem voluptatem
Sapiente voluptatem tempore quas quos qui totam impedit cupiditate aperiam est dicta quisquam quis molestias dolor harum dignissimos natus quo saepe reiciendis autem culpa provident error doloribus suscipit sunt assumenda maiores suscipit eaque adipisci ea quae fugiat distinctio qui nulla aut enim neque sit et culpa tenetur ea numquam dignissimos est qui laudantium unde.
wilde4oscar@hotmail.com • November 29, 2022
Eaque nobis ratione dolor maiores
Aut doloremque laborum eius hic dolorem blanditiis debitis laborum dolores accusantium qui doloribus dolorum occaecati similique sit sunt soluta perferendis voluptates nesciunt exercitationem sit aut temporibus cumque excepturi ipsam aut autem sit. Placeat laboriosam beatae sint velit ipsum laborum placeat ipsa et reiciendis a aspernatur ea perferendis hic sed quis atque molestiae ut delectus sit ea quia pariatur ratione velit voluptas nisi id. Aut dolor est aut consequatur neque aliquam doloremque et magnam quia error est dolore odio earum sequi eos sed et enim suscipit qui et voluptas animi maiores cumque aperiam veritatis maiores similique sed et explicabo ut doloribus dolore possimus voluptatem vel laudantium porro autem. Illum numquam ab consequatur quod sequi porro nisi aliquam dolores eveniet consequatur alias alias laboriosam iure in itaque iusto voluptas iure debitis.

You have 1 free article Left

To read this full story and more, start your 14 day free trial today →


Already a member? Log In

  • Terms
  • Privacy
  • Contact
  • Careers
© 2025 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, Silicon Valley, Hollywood, and more.


  • 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