• 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 back to The Stratosphere.
 ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ 
The Stratosphere

PREVIEW VERSION

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

Welcome back to The Stratosphere.

Which Sam Bankman-Fried associates are next to get a knock on the door? In tonight’s issue, we look at the atmospherics surrounding Democrats, S.B.F., and his inner circle after the Southern District dropped hints of a tantalizing campaign-finance scandal. This is the inside conversation about what is next.

My inbox, as always, is open for your thoughts. You can reply to this note and ask for my Signal, too.

Teddy

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
S.B.F. Subpoena Paranoia
S.B.F. Subpoena Paranoia
Democrats who once eagerly solicited money from S.B.F. are now preparing for the worst: door-knocks from prosecutors, document-retention orders, and nine months of anxiety courtesy of the Southern District of New York.
TEDDY SCHLEIFER TEDDY SCHLEIFER
Flanked by security guards clearing a path through paparazzi and news photographers, Sam Bankman-Fried stepped out of a black Suburban and into a Manhattan courthouse on Tuesday afternoon with a backpack over his shoulders and what looked like a wad of gum in his mouth. The 30-year-old former billionaire flew there to plead not guilty at his arraignment on eight criminal counts. The trial itself is not scheduled to begin until October, nearly a year after FTX, his cryptocurrency exchange, collapsed in what prosecutors have called “one of the biggest financial frauds in American history.” But it’s what prosecutors may dig up over the next nine months that has official Washington on tenterhooks.

Bankman-Fried, after all, was until two months ago a bona fide obsession in Democratic politics, one of the biggest donors...

Keep Reading with a Free Trial
FOUR STORIES WE’RE TALKING ABOUT
Schmuck Insurance
Schmuck Insurance
The second installment of The S.B.F. Chronicles.
BILL COHAN
Hollywood Predictions, Part 1
Hollywood Predictions, Part 1
Featuring a handful of offbeat observations and preoccupations for ’23.
MATTHEW BELLONI
Mickey Mouse’s Afterlife
Mickey Mouse’s Afterlife
Notes on the myriad litigation possibilities when Mickey hits the public domain.
ERIQ GARDNER
Elon’s Tesla Damage
Elon’s Tesla Damage
A two-part conversation about streaming fates and Tesla meme stock carnage.
PETER HAMBY & JULIA ALEXANDER
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 • January 4, 2023
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 • January 4, 2023
Ab sed dolorem fugit quia
Magni aut voluptatem.
Ryan Williams • January 4, 2023
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 • January 4, 2023
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 • January 4, 2023
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 • January 4, 2023
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 • January 4, 2023
“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 • January 4, 2023
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 • January 4, 2023
A Modest Proposal for Fixing America’s Hilariously Broken Economy
Welcome back to The Stratosphere.  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  PREVIEW VERSION Start a free 7 day trial to unlock unlimited access to Puck. Welcome back to The Stratosphere. Which Sam Bankman-Fried associates are next to get a knock on the door? In tonight’s issue, we look at the atmospherics surrounding Democrats, S.B.F., and his inner circle after the […]
Theodore Schleifer • January 4, 2023
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 • January 4, 2023
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 • January 4, 2023
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