Shaun Maguire under fire for political posts — Polymarket puts Sequoia departure at just 17%
Jul 8, 2025
Key Points
- Sequoia Capital partner Shaun Maguire faces pressure to leave over political posts attacking a Democratic NYC mayoral candidate, but a Polymarket prediction market puts his departure odds at just 17%.
- Founders Fund partner Delian Asparouhov argues the calls for Maguire's removal signal activist pressure out of step with tech's political direction, saying Sequoia will back him as it did after his Trump endorsement.
- Maguire released a 30-minute video defending his position and remains engaged in the debate, appearing unfazed by the backlash.
Summary
Sequoia Capital partner Shaun Maguire is facing pressure to leave or be disciplined over political posts attacking Mamie Levin, the Democratic nominee for New York City mayor. A petition website has circulated calling for his removal.
Market odds suggest the pressure will not stick. A Polymarket prediction on his departure from Sequoia sits at just 17%, indicating traders expect him to stay.
Delian Asparouhov of Founders Fund sees the episode as a sign that media and activist pressure no longer align with broader cultural momentum in tech and venture. "This is obviously not going to result in any sort of action from Sequoia," Asparouhov says. "If you had any pulse on things, you would know that."
Maguire released a 30-minute video explaining his position, though the original post likely reached a wider audience. This is not his first political controversy. He was among the first major Sequoia partners to openly back Trump, which also triggered removal calls. Sequoia backed him then, and the expectation is the firm will do so again.
Maguire appears unbothered by the friction and engaged in the online debate.