The Phoenix Project
@phoenixprojnow.bsky.social
Uncover the Bay Area’s astroturf network and dark money trail.
Learn more: https://linktr.ee/phoenixprojectnow
Learn more: https://linktr.ee/phoenixprojectnow
Mayor Lurie’s San Francisco is the ideology’s civic experiment. “Efficiency,” “modernization,” and “velocity” mask a theology of control—public process replaced by private power. The Bay’s new faith is order itself: a polite, procedural authoritarianism.
November 8, 2025 at 10:22 PM
Mayor Lurie’s San Francisco is the ideology’s civic experiment. “Efficiency,” “modernization,” and “velocity” mask a theology of control—public process replaced by private power. The Bay’s new faith is order itself: a polite, procedural authoritarianism.
At Stanford, Balaji Srinivasan’s Network State proposed “founder-led” digital nations. Curtis Yarvin’s “neocameralism” imagined a CEO-run state. Their ideas now shape Silicon Valley’s elite worldview: hierarchy as virtue, equality as defect.
November 8, 2025 at 10:22 PM
At Stanford, Balaji Srinivasan’s Network State proposed “founder-led” digital nations. Curtis Yarvin’s “neocameralism” imagined a CEO-run state. Their ideas now shape Silicon Valley’s elite worldview: hierarchy as virtue, equality as defect.
Their gospel starts on Sand Hill Road. Andreessen’s Techno-Optimist Manifesto glorifies domination and rejects “constraint.” His allies—Elon Musk, Ben Horowitz, Michael Moritz—preach a creed where democracy is inefficiency and billionaires are humanity’s stewards.
November 8, 2025 at 10:22 PM
Their gospel starts on Sand Hill Road. Andreessen’s Techno-Optimist Manifesto glorifies domination and rejects “constraint.” His allies—Elon Musk, Ben Horowitz, Michael Moritz—preach a creed where democracy is inefficiency and billionaires are humanity’s stewards.
When Salesforce’s Marc Benioff called for the National Guard in San Francisco, many were shocked. But it was no aberration. The city’s billionaire class has completed its evolution—from technocrats to theocrats of a new, corporate American order. 🪡
November 8, 2025 at 10:22 PM
When Salesforce’s Marc Benioff called for the National Guard in San Francisco, many were shocked. But it was no aberration. The city’s billionaire class has completed its evolution—from technocrats to theocrats of a new, corporate American order. 🪡
5/ Some tech figures push post-democratic ideas like Balaji Srinivasan’s “Network State,” while others fund surveillance and law-and-order ballot measures — solidifying a crypto–Trump alliance built on power and control.
November 1, 2025 at 10:33 PM
5/ Some tech figures push post-democratic ideas like Balaji Srinivasan’s “Network State,” while others fund surveillance and law-and-order ballot measures — solidifying a crypto–Trump alliance built on power and control.
4/ In return, Trump has cut regulations, ended investigations, pardoned Binance founder Changpeng Zhao and named investor David Sacks as the first White House crypto and AI czar.
November 1, 2025 at 10:33 PM
4/ In return, Trump has cut regulations, ended investigations, pardoned Binance founder Changpeng Zhao and named investor David Sacks as the first White House crypto and AI czar.
3/ Crypto leaders are leading the charge. Fairshake, a crypto Super PAC, spent nearly $200M to defeat critics. Coinbase and Ripple have poured millions into Trump’s campaign, inauguration and even White House renovations.
November 1, 2025 at 10:33 PM
3/ Crypto leaders are leading the charge. Fairshake, a crypto Super PAC, spent nearly $200M to defeat critics. Coinbase and Ripple have poured millions into Trump’s campaign, inauguration and even White House renovations.
2/ Silicon Valley’s politics have shifted. Once dominated by Democratic-leaning leaders, a new generation of tech elites — including Marc Andreessen, Elon Musk, Peter Thiel, and even a once-reluctant Mark Zuckerberg — has embraced Trump and his vision of American exceptionalism.
November 1, 2025 at 10:33 PM
2/ Silicon Valley’s politics have shifted. Once dominated by Democratic-leaning leaders, a new generation of tech elites — including Marc Andreessen, Elon Musk, Peter Thiel, and even a once-reluctant Mark Zuckerberg — has embraced Trump and his vision of American exceptionalism.
1/ A 450-foot statue of Prometheus has been proposed for Alcatraz by crypto executive Ross Calvin, with funding support sought from President Trump. Critics say the monument, planned on sacred Lisjan Ohlone land, reflects tech-fueled nationalism and echoes authoritarian monument-building.
November 1, 2025 at 10:33 PM
1/ A 450-foot statue of Prometheus has been proposed for Alcatraz by crypto executive Ross Calvin, with funding support sought from President Trump. Critics say the monument, planned on sacred Lisjan Ohlone land, reflects tech-fueled nationalism and echoes authoritarian monument-building.
Critics say the episode exposes a deeper problem in San Francisco’s reliance on billionaire benefactors. Benioff’s misstep, they argue, shows that civic influence driven by wealth often serves private interests rather than the public good.
October 27, 2025 at 8:14 PM
Critics say the episode exposes a deeper problem in San Francisco’s reliance on billionaire benefactors. Benioff’s misstep, they argue, shows that civic influence driven by wealth often serves private interests rather than the public good.
A week later, Benioff reversed course, saying he no longer believed troops were needed after “the largest and safest Dreamforce in our history.” But his reversal reignited scrutiny of his past statements and philanthropic motives.
October 27, 2025 at 8:14 PM
A week later, Benioff reversed course, saying he no longer believed troops were needed after “the largest and safest Dreamforce in our history.” But his reversal reignited scrutiny of his past statements and philanthropic motives.
Mayor Daniel Lurie canceled a joint press event with Benioff, while Supervisor Matt Dorsey called the comments “a slap in the face.” Philanthropist Laurene Powell Jobs accused him of using charity to buy influence, and investor Ron Conway resigned from the Salesforce Foundation.
October 27, 2025 at 8:14 PM
Mayor Daniel Lurie canceled a joint press event with Benioff, while Supervisor Matt Dorsey called the comments “a slap in the face.” Philanthropist Laurene Powell Jobs accused him of using charity to buy influence, and investor Ron Conway resigned from the Salesforce Foundation.
Days before Salesforce’s flagship Dreamforce conference, CEO Marc Benioff ignited controversy by telling the New York Times he supports Donald Trump and wants the National Guard deployed to downtown San Francisco. The remarks drew swift political and public backlash.
October 27, 2025 at 8:14 PM
Days before Salesforce’s flagship Dreamforce conference, CEO Marc Benioff ignited controversy by telling the New York Times he supports Donald Trump and wants the National Guard deployed to downtown San Francisco. The remarks drew swift political and public backlash.
This generational gap has made SF’s progressive movement vulnerable. Younger San Franciscans often don’t know long-standing figures like Aaron Peskin, while older progressives struggle to connect with new cultural and political energies reshaping the city.
October 22, 2025 at 8:08 PM
This generational gap has made SF’s progressive movement vulnerable. Younger San Franciscans often don’t know long-standing figures like Aaron Peskin, while older progressives struggle to connect with new cultural and political energies reshaping the city.
The deeper divide wasn’t between right and left—it was generational. Older progressives, often homeowners or longtime tenants, saw the city through a past lens. Younger progressives, burdened by housing costs and disconnection from SF’s old avant-garde identity, felt unheard.
October 22, 2025 at 8:08 PM
The deeper divide wasn’t between right and left—it was generational. Older progressives, often homeowners or longtime tenants, saw the city through a past lens. Younger progressives, burdened by housing costs and disconnection from SF’s old avant-garde identity, felt unheard.
During San Francisco’s “doom loop” years (2022–2024), media and conservative voices painted the city as a crime-ridden wasteland. But for many residents—especially older progressives living their daily lives—that narrative didn’t match reality.
October 22, 2025 at 8:08 PM
During San Francisco’s “doom loop” years (2022–2024), media and conservative voices painted the city as a crime-ridden wasteland. But for many residents—especially older progressives living their daily lives—that narrative didn’t match reality.
Financial ties may explain the favoritism: Lonsdale and OpenGov CEO Zac Bookman have donated tens of thousands to Lurie’s nonprofit, Tipping Point. Sources suggest Segal also has close ties to OpenGov insiders.
October 19, 2025 at 8:48 PM
Financial ties may explain the favoritism: Lonsdale and OpenGov CEO Zac Bookman have donated tens of thousands to Lurie’s nonprofit, Tipping Point. Sources suggest Segal also has close ties to OpenGov insiders.
OpenGov’s investors include Palantir co-founders Peter Thiel and Joe Lonsdale — both active in right-wing politics — and board member Marc Andreessen, a Trump donor tied to Elon Musk’s DOGE Committee.
October 19, 2025 at 8:48 PM
OpenGov’s investors include Palantir co-founders Peter Thiel and Joe Lonsdale — both active in right-wing politics — and board member Marc Andreessen, a Trump donor tied to Elon Musk’s DOGE Committee.
The deal was flagged two weeks ago by the Phoenix Project, which raised alarms about entrusting sensitive city data to a firm backed by controversial tech billionaires.
October 19, 2025 at 8:48 PM
The deal was flagged two weeks ago by the Phoenix Project, which raised alarms about entrusting sensitive city data to a firm backed by controversial tech billionaires.
As Mayor Lurie pushes forward with public-private initiatives, concerns about potential corruption are growing. Critics argue that relying on billionaire philanthropy could create accountability gaps and deepen the city’s financial instability.
October 14, 2025 at 9:35 PM
As Mayor Lurie pushes forward with public-private initiatives, concerns about potential corruption are growing. Critics argue that relying on billionaire philanthropy could create accountability gaps and deepen the city’s financial instability.
This scandal is not the first for the Parks Alliance. It was previously implicated in a federal investigation tied to former Public Works Director Mohammed Nuru, where $1M was funneled into a “slush fund.”
The resulting scandal cost taxpayers $100M+.
The resulting scandal cost taxpayers $100M+.
October 14, 2025 at 9:35 PM
This scandal is not the first for the Parks Alliance. It was previously implicated in a federal investigation tied to former Public Works Director Mohammed Nuru, where $1M was funneled into a “slush fund.”
The resulting scandal cost taxpayers $100M+.
The resulting scandal cost taxpayers $100M+.
The fallout has been swift: community groups are left in financial jeopardy, and an investigation into financial mismanagement is now underway.
Emails from board members called the situation a “dumpster fire.” One supervisor labeled it a “Ponzi scheme.”
Emails from board members called the situation a “dumpster fire.” One supervisor labeled it a “Ponzi scheme.”
October 14, 2025 at 9:35 PM
The fallout has been swift: community groups are left in financial jeopardy, and an investigation into financial mismanagement is now underway.
Emails from board members called the situation a “dumpster fire.” One supervisor labeled it a “Ponzi scheme.”
Emails from board members called the situation a “dumpster fire.” One supervisor labeled it a “Ponzi scheme.”
The collapse of the San Francisco Parks Alliance raises serious questions about the risks of public-private partnerships.
Once a major source of funding for city beautification projects, the nonprofit shut down in June after $4M intended for community initiatives was misused.
Once a major source of funding for city beautification projects, the nonprofit shut down in June after $4M intended for community initiatives was misused.
October 14, 2025 at 9:35 PM
The collapse of the San Francisco Parks Alliance raises serious questions about the risks of public-private partnerships.
Once a major source of funding for city beautification projects, the nonprofit shut down in June after $4M intended for community initiatives was misused.
Once a major source of funding for city beautification projects, the nonprofit shut down in June after $4M intended for community initiatives was misused.
Read more on The Phoenix Review: www.phoenixprojectnow.com/phoenix-revi...
October 8, 2025 at 8:06 PM
Read more on The Phoenix Review: www.phoenixprojectnow.com/phoenix-revi...
If we can't name these fascistic tendencies in a liberal city, we won't stop them anywhere.
October 8, 2025 at 8:06 PM
If we can't name these fascistic tendencies in a liberal city, we won't stop them anywhere.