Sign in

The Phoenix Project

@phoenixprojnow.bsky.social
468 followers 171 following 651 posts

Uncover the Bay Area’s astroturf network and dark money trail. Learn more: linktr.ee/phoenixprojectnow

PostsRepliesMedia
Reposted by The Phoenix Project
Jenny Cohn @jennycohn.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
Finally, an article about Pax Silica: “Tech Bros and the Trump Administration Are Building an AI Empire—In the Philippines *** Pax Silica aims to lock up rare earths, and hand Silicon Valley the keys.” By @kierabutler.bsky.social 9/25/26 … 1/ www.motherjones.com/politics/202...
motherjones.com
Tech Bros and the Trump administration are building an AI empire—in the Philippines
Pax Silica aims to lock up rare earths, and hand Silicon Valley the keys.
511083
Reposted by The Phoenix Project
Gil Durán @gilduran.com · 24/09/2026
Oh look, folks, the billionaire-funded Network State project of Praxis gets another big story in the New York Times. Not sure how seriously to take this vaporware (story misses key details), but they sure do know how to get into the NYT. www.nytimes.com/2026/09/22/w...
nytimes.com
These Tech Utopians Want to Build a City for the Post-A.I. World (Gift Article)
After a sprawling world tour, Praxis, a New York-based, crypto-backed “digital nation,” has signed a deal to build a physical city in Uruguay.
1215457
The Phoenix Project @phoenixprojnow.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
Crypto billionaire Chris Larsen gave $500K to SF supervisor candidate Theo Ellington via a PAC he set up, the largest donation ever in a SF supervisorial race. Ellington now says the PAC "doesn't speak for" his campaign. 🧵
100
The Phoenix Project @phoenixprojnow.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
San Francisco’s 27 Democratic clubs have historically been scrappy, dues-funded neighborhood groups. Now many have increasingly become front groups for a billionaire-backed "Astroturf Network" pushing SF politics rightward. 🧵
155
The Phoenix Project @phoenixprojnow.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
Two big-city mayors, two very different playbooks. Both NYC’s Zohran Mamdani and SF’s Daniel Lurie have high approval rates, and came in as political outsiders heavily relying on social media. But that’s where the similarities end.🧵
120
Reposted by The Phoenix Project
Sad Francisco @sadfrancisco.bsky.social · 07/09/2026
Search “Sad Francisco” on all podcast apps. Episode title: Daniel Lurie’s Web with Jeremy Mack of @phoenixprojnow.bsky.social #podcast #oligarchs
131
The Phoenix Project @phoenixprojnow.bsky.social · 05/09/2026
Our latest piece traces Garry Tan's rise from Silicon Valley organizer to major political operator, part of what we refer to as an "Astroturf Network" of billionaire tech donors including William Oberndorf, Chris Larsen, and Michael Moritz. 🧵
122
The Phoenix Project @phoenixprojnow.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
San Francisco astroturf group Abundance Network and their allies including current Y Combinator President Garry Tan & former President Paul Graham spent $143k to get current Flock Safety employees Trevor Chandler & Lily Ho elected to the SF DCCC (1/3)
2127
The Phoenix Project @phoenixprojnow.bsky.social · 28/08/2026
For this week’s article, San Francisco D8 Supervisor candidate @michaelnguyen4sf.bsky.social calls out his own party. He argues the SF Democratic Party (DCCC) should follow Dolly Parton's example of giving back to the community that built you, not cozying up to billionaire donors. 🧵
153
Reposted by The Phoenix Project
Dean Preston @deanpreston.bsky.social · 27/08/2026
RIP San Francisco Democratic Party. The DCCC members installed by tech oligarchs just voted against affordable housing (Prop I) and against taxing billionaires (Prop 40). The local SF Dem party is now Blue-MAGA and it’s endorsements should be ignored by anyone who cares about our city.
49236
Reposted by The Phoenix Project
The Baffler @thebaffler.com · 25/08/2026
“Unlike most contemporary accounts of Silicon Valley, ‘The Nerd Reich’ is not a biography, an inquest into a particular business, or a ‘true crime’ accounting; it is an urgent intellectual history of a seemingly inchoate political moment.” thebaffler.com/latest/reven...
thebaffler.com
Revenge of the Nerds | Ali Winston
In his new book, Gil Durán examines the origins and ambitions of Silicon Valley’s war on democracy.
08623
Reposted by The Phoenix Project
Gil Durán @gilduran.com · 16/08/2026
Xavier Becerra has gone silent since winning the primary for California governor. But here he is with Peter Thiel protégé Garry Tan—Palantir’s employee #10. “Garry’s List” is an AI-generated right-wing news site. Garry is a top Network State figure & tweeted “die slow” at SF city leaders in 2024.
Photograph of Becerra with Carrie Tan at A Gary’s list event
43866303
Reposted by The Phoenix Project
Harbinger Media Network @harbingermedia.bsky.social · 21/08/2026
On a new 💾 @techwontsave.us 💾 @gilduran.com joins @parismarx.com to discuss the radical billionaire cabal hellbent on consolidation of corporate and political power, their visions for the future and the strategies they’re using to drive us there. www.techwontsave.us/episode/342_...
techwontsave.us
Tech Fascism Has Come for American Democracy w/ Gil Durán - Tech Won’t Save Us
04120
The Phoenix Project @phoenixprojnow.bsky.social · 14/08/2026
Affordable housing activist Fernando Marti takes a critical look at CA State Senator Scott Wiener's housing record, arguing that despite years of headline-grabbing housing bills in Sacramento, the actual results don't match the rhetoric. 🧵
154
The Phoenix Project @phoenixprojnow.bsky.social · 11/08/2026
BREAKING🚨 (1/7) A whistle-blower from the Scott Wiener campaign has alerted the Phoenix Project of potential illegal campaign coordination between the Wiener for Congress candidate campaign and a Political Action Committee supporting Wiener’s Congressional bid.
1106
Reposted by The Phoenix Project
PUML @puml.media · 11/08/2026
Data Centers Are Not Inevitable puml.media/data-centers...
puml.media
Data Centers Are Not Inevitable
Communities are pushing back against the rapid expansion of AI data centers, rejecting the premise that they are a necessary cost of innovation and the practice of corporations making decisions about ...
021
Reposted by The Phoenix Project
Jenny Cohn @jennycohn.bsky.social · 09/08/2026
Peter Thiel has promoted the Sovereign Individual, which says that the shift from “mass democracy” to “individual sovereignty” can happen “invisibly” (& without a shift in public opinion) via tax-free zones & free ports & that the power of nation states will eventually splinter into fragments.
PETER THIEL
THE
SOVEREIGNI
INDIVIDUAL
MASTERING
THE TRANSITION TO THE INFORMATION AGE
JAMES DALE DAVIDSON
AND
LORD WILLIAM REES-MOGG
MISER TEE RENE PEERSARY
*One of the books that tremendously influenced me when i started PayPal." — Peter Thiel
@readswithravi
15 books recommended by Peter Thiel: 1) The Sovereign In...
Visit ›
2715071
The Phoenix Project @phoenixprojnow.bsky.social · 07/08/2026
California's ~200 billionaires are facing mounting public backlash. Silicon Valley tech elites like Sergey Brin's coalition have reserved $87M in ads to fight a labor-backed Billionaire Tax measure on November's ballot, even though it wouldn't meaningfully dent their wealth. 🧵
163
Reposted by The Phoenix Project
Jenny Cohn @jennycohn.bsky.social · 04/08/2026
😳 On August 6, Argentina will vote on a proposed Land Reform Law aiming to facilitate the purchase of rural land in Argentina by private investors. It seems they are preparing to “celebrate” with Peter Thiel. The bill was written by Sturzenegger who will appear at this Sept event with Thiel. 1/
Ana Correa @anaecorrea • 3h
© Translated from Spanish
Show original
Look, they're already throwing the party with Peter Thiel in case the law to give him lands gets approved.
X
Juan Luis González ®
@J.
..・19h
Ø Translated from Spanish
Well, look who's coming back to Argentina:
Peter Thiel joins the Vientos de Cambio forum, organized by the L...
Septembre 1 y 2, 2026 Buenos Aires, Argentina
Latamsummit.org
+ 30 expositores
VIENTOS DE CAMBIO
políticos y económicos
Luis Caputo
Ministro de Economia
Federico Sturzenegger
Ministro de Desregulación
Peter Thiel
Empresario
reason
> Libertad
Axel Kaiser
Escritor y abogado
/ADCURDINGE
James Heckman
Premio Nobel de Economía
16257167
The Phoenix Project @phoenixprojnow.bsky.social · 04/08/2026
🚨BREAKING🚨 A group called Concerned Citizens of San Francisco has filed allegations with the SF Inspector General claiming OpenAI evaded potentially $125m+ in SF taxes while converting from nonprofit to commercial enterprise. They’re pushing for a taxpayer lawsuit. 🧵
140
The Phoenix Project @phoenixprojnow.bsky.social · 31/07/2026
Anthropic and OpenAI are gearing up for IPOs (Anthropic in October, OpenAI early next year) that could value each company at over $1 trillion, more than Walmart. SF is bracing for its next tech gold rush. 🧶
110
The Phoenix Project @phoenixprojnow.bsky.social · 25/07/2026
New report from California Common Good finds a huge jump in political spending by CA billionaires this election cycle: donations up 147% vs. 2023-24. The spending is aimed largely at defeating a proposed Billionaire Tax on the Nov 2026 ballot. 🧵
162
Reposted by The Phoenix Project
Lee West @whodat35.bsky.social · 21/07/2026
Peter Thiel’s Dialog conference in Ireland shut down by grassroots action A former Google worker describes the #DropDialog movement and organizing against Big Tech in Ireland. therealnews.com/peter-thiels...
therealnews.com
Peter Thiel’s Dialog conference in Ireland shut down by grassroots action
A former Google worker describes the #DropDialog movement and organizing against Big Tech in Ireland.
22477152509
Reposted by The Phoenix Project
Jenny Cohn @jennycohn.bsky.social · 21/07/2026
👀 El Salvador's AI Agency has named Ginger Luckey Gaetz (Matt Gaetz's wife, Palmer Luckey's sister) as Strategic Advisor. Palmer’s firm Anduril is backed by Peter Thiel & partners w/ Palantir. El Salvador recently joined the Thiel-ally-led “Pax Silica” global initiative. They are moving fast...1/
Photo of Ginger and Matt Gaetz
64637385
Reposted by The Phoenix Project
Gil Durán @gilduran.com · 21/07/2026
Network State Cult Crushed in Malaysia! Balaji Srinivasan’s bizarre “Network School” sought to create a tech “micro-nation” on Malaysian soil. “No investor, company, or organisation can be placed above the sovereignty of the country’s law,” say local officials. www.msn.com/en-my/news/o...
Headline: Johor authorities orders Network School to shut immediately
Exterior of the Network School building with a large sign that reads "Network School."
721968
Reposted by The Phoenix Project
Jaime Omar Yassin [TNH] @hyphyrepublic.bsky.social · 19/07/2026
I definitely get the feeling that there is more to the issues with Flock than we are hearing about, even from civil liberties advocates. LAPD's letting contract lapse comes as OPD is wary of executing contract
fortune.com
LAPD was one of Flock Safety's biggest government customers. Now it’s renegotiating its partnership over ‘serious concerns around civil liberties’ | Fortune
The department recently announced it would not renew its contract due to how Flock collects and shares data.
0132
Reposted by The Phoenix Project
Alex @alxlndomountain.bsky.social · 17/07/2026
Check out all of @scottwiener.bsky.social's friends
031
The Phoenix Project @phoenixprojnow.bsky.social · 17/07/2026
The "abundance" movement, pitched as a fix for the housing crisis by relaxing zoning rules, has become a stalking horse for tech billionaires to seize local political power under a pro-housing banner.🪡
264
The Phoenix Project @phoenixprojnow.bsky.social · 10/07/2026
Silicon Valley money is reshaping California politics, but maybe not in the ways you'd expect. High-profile, tech-backed statewide bids (Mahan for Governor, Agarwal for the House of Reps) both flopped badly at the ballot box. Tech's brand has been shown to be toxic in big races.
110
Reposted by The Phoenix Project
shanley @shanley.com · 10/07/2026
AHHHHHHHHHH
62712
The Phoenix Project @phoenixprojnow.bsky.social · 08/07/2026
Leaked documents obtained by The Phoenix Project and reported on by @revolvingdoorDC reveal how Zack Rosen, co-founder of California YIMBY and the Abundance Network, really feels about small-dollar political donors. It's not flattering.
110
Reposted by The Phoenix Project
Revolving Door Project @revolvingdoordc.bsky.social · 08/07/2026
NEW: Today, @thenation.com published a story from our very own @dylangyauchl.bsky.social and @juliepitta.bsky.social, President of @phoenixprojnow.bsky.social, about leaked documents from the Abundance Network's plan to take over the Democratic Party.
thenation.com
An Abundance of Influence
A group of YIMBY Big Tech donors took over San Francisco politics. Now they’re setting their sights on the rest of the country.
42016
Reposted by The Phoenix Project
The Nation Magazine @thenation.com · 08/07/2026
San Francisco’s YIMBY movement did not merely push for relaxed zoning—it became a stalking horse for Bay Area tech titans who used it as a political vehicle to seize local power. bit.ly/4y6vicZ
bit.ly
An Abundance of Influence
A group of YIMBY Big Tech donors took over San Francisco politics. Now they’re setting their sights on the rest of the country.
0106
The Phoenix Project @phoenixprojnow.bsky.social · 03/07/2026
ICYMI: before the People’s Budget Coalition fought to restore 80% of budget cuts last week, Mayor Lurie’s budget was bleak. Although most of the cuts are restored, it’s important to remember that this is because of dedicated advocacy, not a change of heart by the administration🧵
163
Reposted by The Phoenix Project
Citations Needed @citationspod.bsky.social · 01/07/2026
In this News Brief, "Despite 9-Figure Infusion from Silicon Valley, Abundance Still Seeks Popular Support," we talk to @dylangyauchl.bsky.social about her recent report on the obscene amounts of money going into pushing Abundance and the PR hurdles the latest neoliberalism rebrand is facing.
soundcloud.com
News Brief: Despite 9-Figure Infusion from Silicon Valley, Abundance Still Seeks Popular Support
In this news brief, we catch up with Dylan Gyauch-Lewis, senior researcher at the Revolving Door Project, to discuss Abundance's PR problems, why this latest neoliberalism rebrand isn't catching on an
13916
Reposted by The Phoenix Project
Common Dreams @commondreams.org · 26/06/2026
'Thinking He Can Fool Everyone,' Newsom Backs One Billionaires Tax But Not Another "The misdirect here is that Newsom is opposing a WEALTH tax on billionaires in his own state and insisting he supports a new national INCOME tax on billionaires."
commondreams.org
'Thinking He Can Fool Everyone,' Newsom Backs One Billionaires Tax But Not Another
​"The misdirect here is that Newsom is opposing a WEALTH tax on billionaires in his own state and insisting he supports a new national INCOME tax on billionaires. But billionaires make money off non-income sources."
3127
The Phoenix Project @phoenixprojnow.bsky.social · 19/06/2026
Billionaire money in US politics is exploding. In 2024, 300 billionaire families gave $3 billion in federal campaign contributions, nearly 1/5 of all donations. The cause? A 2010 Supreme Court decision called Citizens United v. FEC. 🧵
193
Reposted by The Phoenix Project
Sad Francisco @sadfrancisco.bsky.social · 19/06/2026
Daddy Thiel Knows Best: Peter Thiel, Ezra Klein, Dialog, and the Abundance Network @phoenixprojnow.bsky.social
051
Reposted by The Phoenix Project
David Sirota @davidsirota.com · 17/06/2026
California Gov. Gavin Newsom is reportedly scrambling to kill a ballot measure that would impose a one-time 5% tax on roughly 200 billionaires — raising an estimated $100 billion for Medicaid and social programs.
55014
Reposted by The Phoenix Project
Revolving Door Project @revolvingdoordc.bsky.social · 16/06/2026
ICYMI: We reported for @prospect.org last week on documents obtained by @phoenixprojnow.bsky.social detailing how Silicon Valley elites view "abundance" as an avenue to advancing their political power. prospect.org/2026/06/12/n...
prospect.org
New Documents Detail Nine-Figure, Silicon Valley–Funded Abundance Movement - The American Prospect
The Prospect has obtained a fundraising pitch and historical manifesto from inside the movement.
21314
Reposted by The Phoenix Project
Revolving Door Project @revolvingdoordc.bsky.social · 12/06/2026
the author boasts about having “Flipped San Francisco Democratic Party, Flipped San Francisco Board of Supervisors … [and] Flipped Santa Monica City Council.” "We helped organize the Moderate faction that has taken power" (2/2)
222842
Reposted by The Phoenix Project
Revolving Door Project @revolvingdoordc.bsky.social · 12/06/2026
In new reporting for @prospect.org, our @dylangyauchl.bsky.social details internal documents from Bay Area abundance groups pitch the movement to tech elites as a way to take control of Democratic politics and describe a 9-figure funding stream from billionaires. (1/2) prospect.org/2026/06/12/n...
prospect.org
New Documents Detail Nine-Figure, Silicon Valley–Funded Abundance Movement - The American Prospect
The Prospect has obtained a fundraising pitch and historical manifesto from inside the movement.
16584199
The Phoenix Project @phoenixprojnow.bsky.social · 12/06/2026
Great piece by @dylangyauchl.bsky.social from @revolvingdoordc.bsky.social covering a leak we acquired that outlines the funding, political mission & agenda of the astroturf group the Abundance Network. Here’s what you need to know: 🧵 prospect.org/2026/06/12/n...
prospect.org
New Documents Detail Nine-Figure, Silicon Valley–Funded Abundance Movement - The American Prospect
The Prospect has obtained a fundraising pitch and historical manifesto from inside the movement.
121
The Phoenix Project @phoenixprojnow.bsky.social · 12/06/2026
Supervisor Connie Chan defied expectations in SF's congressional race, finishing a strong 2nd with 28.7% after Nancy Pelosi's last-minute endorsement flipped the script. She's headed to the November runoff.
130
The Phoenix Project @phoenixprojnow.bsky.social · 12/06/2026
Supervisor Connie Chan defied expectations in SF's congressional race, finishing a strong 2nd with 28.7% after Nancy Pelosi's last-minute endorsement flipped the script. She's headed to the November runoff.
100
Reposted by The Phoenix Project
Revolving Door Project @revolvingdoordc.bsky.social · 09/06/2026
Top recipients Adrian Smith (R-NE), Steven Horsford (D-NV), Thomas Suozzi (D-NY), and Jimmy Gomez (D-CA), have received a combined total of nearly $4 million in donations and super PAC support since 2023. But beyond these four, over a dozen members from both parties have received at least $10,000.
142
Reposted by The Phoenix Project
Sad Francisco @sadfrancisco.bsky.social · 07/06/2026
Ian Firstenberg has covered FLOCK surveillance for 48Hills AND @phoenixprojnow.bsky.social and we discussed why cities keep canceling their contracts with the shady company on the new Sad Francisco ep., up all the podcast platforms - and on YouTube: youtu.be/-G2cZDMDBqg?...
092
Reposted by The Phoenix Project
Sad Francisco @sadfrancisco.bsky.social · 05/06/2026
Help me buy some chapstick: Patreon.com/sadfrancisco & Follow @phoenixprojnow.bsky.social / pu.ml
052
Reposted by The Phoenix Project
Politico @politico.com · 05/06/2026
Why tech found rare success in California’s down-ballot races
dlvr.it
Why tech found rare success in California’s down-ballot races
Newcomer super PACs, funded by artificial intelligence companies and deep-pocketed billionaires, look likely to send 11 of the 12 candidates they supported to the November general election.
2104
The Phoenix Project @phoenixprojnow.bsky.social · 05/06/2026
Bay Area Primary Results & What Big Money Bought 🧵
111