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93
10 - PEOPLE/(T-Z)/Frank Vanore.md
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@ -4,37 +4,104 @@ tags:
- Person
- Police
- Philadelphia
- PhiladelphiaPoliceDepartment
- OlneyHouseInvestigation
summary: "Philadelphia police deputy commissioner who has led public briefings in the 2026 Olney House Investigation into women connected to R.C. and Eugene Horsch."
aliases:
- "Frank Vanore"
- "Frank Vanore Jr."
- "Frank J. Vanore"
- "Frank J. Vanore Jr."
- "Frank J Vanore Jr."
- "Deputy Commissioner Vanore"
summary: "Philadelphia police deputy commissioner who joined the department in 1990 and gave the department's public briefings on the 2026 Olney House Investigation."
location: "Philadelphia, Pennsylvania"
relations:
- type: employed_by
with: "[[Philadelphia Police Department]]"
start: 1990
role: "deputy commissioner"
role: "patrol officer, later deputy commissioner of investigations and interim 1st deputy commissioner"
fn: 1
- type: appointed
with: "[[Jim Kenney]]"
reverse: true
start: 2023-09-22
role: "interim 1st deputy commissioner"
fn: 1
- type: reported_to
with: "[[John M. Stanford Jr.]]"
start: 2023-09-22
role: "interim commissioner, while Vanore was interim 1st deputy commissioner"
fn: 1
- type: investigated
with: "[[Olney House Investigation]]"
start: 2026
fn: 2
start: 2026-06-27
fn: 8
- type: investigated
with: "[[R.C. Horsch]]"
start: 2026-06
fn: 9
- type: investigated
with: "[[Eugene Horsch]]"
start: 2026-06
fn: 9
created: 2026-09-23
updated: 2026-09-23
updated: 2026-10-15
---
Frank Vanore is a deputy commissioner of the [[Philadelphia Police Department]], which he joined in 1990, and the official who has given the department's public account of the [[Olney House Investigation]] into women connected to [[R.C. Horsch]] and [[Eugene Horsch]].[^1][^2]
Frank J. Vanore Jr. is a deputy commissioner of the [[Philadelphia Police Department]], which he joined in 1990, and the official who has given the department's public briefings on the [[Olney House Investigation]] into women connected to [[R.C. Horsch]] and [[Eugene Horsch]].[^1]
### Career
Before becoming deputy commissioner for investigations he was chief inspector of the Detective Bureau and of Regional Operations Command South, inspector of the Training and Education Services Division, staff inspector of Standards and Accountability, and commanding officer of the 25th District and of Public Affairs, with earlier assignments in narcotics, homicide, the South and East detective divisions, and City Wide Vice. In September 2023 Mayor [[Jim Kenney]] named him interim first deputy commissioner. He holds degrees from [[Eastern University]] and [[Saint Joseph's University]].[^1]
Vanore began as a patrol officer in the [[1st Police District]]. He later served in the Citywide Vice Enforcement Unit, as a detective in the [[East Detective Division]], as a sergeant in the [[South Detective Division]] and the [[Homicide Division]], as a lieutenant in the [[25th Police District]], and in the [[Detective Bureau]] and the Narcotics Intelligence Unit.[^2]
In August 2007 the police commissioner appointed him to command the department's Public Affairs Office as public information officer.[^2] In May 2008 the [[Philadelphia Inquirer|Inquirer]] reported on two officers charged in an aggravated assault case arising from an August 26 beating. The paper quoted "Lt. Frank Vanore of the department's public-affairs unit," who declined to discuss the case: "The case is in court and we're not going to comment any further on it until it goes to court."[^3]
He was promoted to captain and given command of the 25th Police District in October 2010, to staff inspector of Standards and Accountability in January 2014, and to inspector, commanding the [[Training and Education Services Division]], in March 2016.[^2] In March 2017 he was promoted to chief inspector and assigned to [[Regional Operations Command South]], which then covered three police divisions and ten patrol districts. In December 2018 he was assigned to the Detective Bureau as chief of detectives, commanding all of its investigative units and divisions.[^2]
He holds an associate degree in criminal justice from the [[Community College of Philadelphia]], a bachelor's degree in organizational management from [[Eastern University]] (2007), and a master's degree in public safety management from [[Saint Joseph's University]] (2009). He is a 2002 graduate of the [[Northwestern University]] School of Police Staff and Command and a 2012 graduate of the [[Police Executive Research Forum]] Senior Management Institute for Police.[^2]
In February 2023, after Nordo's December 2022 sentence of 24 and a half to 49 years in prison, Deputy Commissioner Vanore told the Inquirer that detectives now receive greater supervision. The reporters wrote that he could not point to a single reform made specifically in response to Nordo's wrongdoing and that he said the department had not undertaken any review of Nordo's cases.[^4]
On September 22, 2023, Mayor [[Jim Kenney]] named [[John M. Stanford Jr.]] interim police commissioner and Vanore interim 1st deputy commissioner in the same announcement. The city's release said Vanore had previously served as deputy commissioner of investigations, overseeing the department's investigative units.[^1]
In 2024 he was Deputy Commissioner of Investigations under [[Kevin Bethel]], the commissioner.[^5]
On September 17, 2026, Vanore told reporters that a backpack found in the council caucus chamber at [[Philadelphia City Hall]] had prompted an evacuation, that investigators found nothing dangerous in it, and that no one faced charges.[^6] On October 2, 2026, he briefed reporters on a fatal shooting of a man by two officers on Frankford Avenue in [[Mayfair]], saying the man had been reported trying to break into houses, that both officers fired during a physical confrontation, that a knife was recovered, and that body camera footage existed.[^7]
### The Olney House
At the search of the house in June 2026 he said of the chemicals found there: "We just don't know what he was doing. He's producing something." "There's a sump pump that looks like a hole in the ground, but there's no bodies. I don't have any bodies."[^3] At a news conference on September 16, 2026, he said investigators had identified 58 people in the recovered images, believed five women shown in them to be dead, and had recovered a video in which R.C. Horsch appears to strangle a woman, later identified as [[Nicole Fusaro]]. "Some of this is playacting, and some of it we believe could be real," he said. "We did never recover a body here. Mr. Horsch is deceased at this time, and we still need to find evidence to corroborate what appears to have occurred in this video."[^2][^4] Fusaro's cousin criticized the department for disclosing the details of the video in public on the day the family was told.[^5]
On June 27, 2026, at the search of the house on [[Chew Avenue]], Vanore said investigators had found chemicals in the basement that raised safety concerns. Of a 55-gallon drum connected to water lines, whose purpose police had not determined, he said: "We just don't know what he was doing. He's producing something. If he's making something, if he's irrigating something, we don't know." Searching near a sump pump, he said: "There's a sump pump that looks like a hole in the ground, but there's no bodies. I don't have any bodies."[^8]
At a news conference on September 16, 2026, with [[Wayne Jacobs]] and Bethel, Vanore said investigators had reviewed about 30 percent of the recovered material and had identified 58 people in it. "The objective here is thoroughness, not simply speed," he said. The Inquirer reported that of the 58, five women appeared to be dead; ABC News quoted police as saying five women "appear to be deceased" in the photographs and videos.[^9][^10][^11] WHYY reported that Vanore said four of the people identified "appear to be lifeless," that 10 others had later died of overdoses at different locations in Philadelphia, and that investigators had interviewed 16 people seen in the videos, whom he said were not very cooperative. He said police were scheduling interviews with 25 people known to be alive.[^9]
Vanore said some of the videos were made by R.C. Horsch, the late father of Eugene Horsch.[^9] At the same briefing he said: "I've got to caution you and emphasize we did never recover a body here," adding, "Mr. Horsch is deceased at this time, and we still need to find evidence to corroborate what appears to have occurred in this video."[^9]
The Inquirer reported that investigators had recovered photos showing a 25-year-old woman unconscious, with visible injuries, inside the Chew Avenue home, and that Vanore declined to identify her at her family's request.[^10] Of the material, Vanore said: "Some of this is playacting, and some of it we believe could be real," adding, "But we're not there yet."[^10] Of two women shown in the images who were missing, he said: "Both women remain missing and have not been seen," and that "to date, neither their bodies nor any DNA evidence have been recovered."[^12]
The video later identified as showing [[Nicole Fusaro]] was described at the same briefing. The Inquirer reported that Vanore said Horsch used pliers to put a zip tie around the woman's neck until she fell unconscious.[^13] A cousin of Fusaro criticized police the same day for describing the video publicly before the family was told.[^13]
On the missing-person reports, Vanore said: "There was some very extensive investigation that R.C. Horsch was interviewed." He said that when families reported the women missing, "they were talked to. It was just, nothing was apparent at that point that anything was wrong other than they were missing and they were last seen with him."[^14]
### Court records
An employment action (No. 2:22-cv-02227, [[Eastern District of Pennsylvania]]) was filed June 6, 2022, by a retired police officer against the [[City of Philadelphia]] alleging age discrimination and retaliation under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act and the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act. On July 26, 2023, Judge [[Chad F. Kenney]] granted the City's motion for summary judgment and ordered the accompanying memorandum sealed for seven days pending any request to preclude public access.[^15] On August 2, 2023, the City filed a memorandum requesting redaction of the decision; the docket describes an attachment to the filing as the affidavit of Deputy Commissioner Frank Vanore.[^16] The same day the court granted the request, kept the unredacted memorandum under seal, issued a redacted version for public viewing, and closed the case.[^17]
### Footnotes
[^1]: Office of the Mayor, City of Philadelphia, "Mayor Jim Kenney Appoints John M. Stanford, Jr. as Interim Police Commissioner for the Philadelphia Police Department, Frank Vanore as Interim 1st Deputy Commissioner," September 22, 2023. https://www.phila.gov/2023-09-22-mayor-jim-kenney-appoints-john-m-stanford-jr-as-interim-police-commissioner-for-the-philadelphia-police-department-frank-vanore-as-interim-1st-deputy-commissioner/
[^2]: Sharber, Cory. "Police, FBI provide updates on Horsch missing women case," *WHYY,* September 16, 2026. https://whyy.org/articles/olney-home-investigation-abuse/
[^3]: Pitts, Amanda. "Missing woman's family says she was last seen at Olney home where police found chemicals, weapons," *6abc Action News,* June 27, 2026. https://6abc.com/post/missing-womans-family-says-she-was-last-seen-philadelphia-home-where-police-found-chemicals-weapons/19392353/
[^4]: Rushing, Ellie, Max Marin, and Ryan W. Briggs. "Police find more photos of women who appear dead in pornographer R.C. Horsch's home, bringing the number of missing to 7," *The Philadelphia Inquirer,* September 16, 2026. https://www.inquirer.com/news/raymond-horsch-philadelphia-missing-women-dead-20260916.html
[^5]: Laker, Barbara, and Ellie Rushing. "Cousin of a Raymond Horsch victim criticizes police for sharing graphic details at news conference before telling family," *The Philadelphia Inquirer,* September 17, 2026. https://www.inquirer.com/news/nicole-fusaro-family-complaint-horsch-olney-house-investigation-20260917.html
[^1]: Office of the Mayor, City of Philadelphia, "Mayor Jim Kenney Appoints John M. Stanford, Jr. as Interim Police Commissioner for the Philadelphia Police Department & Frank Vanore as Interim 1st Deputy Commissioner," September 22, 2023. https://www.phila.gov/2023-09-22-mayor-jim-kenney-appoints-john-m-stanford-jr-as-interim-police-commissioner-for-the-philadelphia-police-department-frank-vanore-as-interim-1st-deputy-commissioner/
[^2]: Philadelphia Police Department, "Frank J Vanore Jr." leadership biography, Deputy Commissioner, captured by the Internet Archive on March 9, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230309194638/https://www.phillypolice.com/about/leadership/deputy-commissioner
[^3]: Robert Moran, "Olney man wants apology from police," *The Philadelphia Inquirer,* May 30, 2008. https://www.inquirer.com/philly/news/local/20080530_Olney_man_wants_apology_from_police.html
[^4]: Chris Palmer and Samantha Melamed, "Four takeaways from the 'Predator in Blue' investigation into homicide detective Philip Nordo," *The Philadelphia Inquirer,* February 27, 2023. https://inquirer.com/news/philip-nordo-philly-police-detective-trial-sexual-assault-cases-20230227.html
[^5]: Philadelphia Police Department, "Frank Vanore - Deputy Commissioner of Investigations," leadership page captured by the Internet Archive on June 24, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240624044308/https://www.phillypolice.com/leadership/frank-vanore
[^6]: "Suspicious package prompts evacuation at Philadelphia City Hall, no device found, police say," *CBS Philadelphia,* updated September 17, 2026. https://www.cbsnews.com/philadelphia/news/evacuation-philadelphia-city-hall/
[^7]: "Man fatally shot by Philly police after reported break-in attempt in Mayfair," *FOX 29 Philadelphia,* October 2, 2026. https://www.fox29.com/news/deadly-officer-involved-shooting-mayfair-under-investigation-police
[^8]: Amanda Pitts, "Missing woman's family says she was last seen at Olney home where police found chemicals, weapons," *6abc Action News,* June 27, 2026. https://6abc.com/post/missing-womans-family-says-she-was-last-seen-philadelphia-home-where-police-found-chemicals-weapons/19392353/
[^9]: Cory Sharber, "Police, FBI provide updates on Horsch missing women case," *WHYY,* September 16, 2026. https://whyy.org/articles/olney-home-investigation-abuse/
[^10]: Ellie Rushing, Max Marin, and Ryan W. Briggs, "Police find more photos of women who appear dead in pornographer R.C. Horsch's home, bringing the number of missing to 7," *The Philadelphia Inquirer,* September 16, 2026. https://www.inquirer.com/news/raymond-horsch-philadelphia-missing-women-dead-20260916.html
[^11]: "5 women 'appear to be deceased' in images recovered from Philadelphia home: Police," *ABC News,* September 2026. https://abcnews.com/US/police-reveal-new-details-case-missing-women-linked/story?id=136500368
[^12]: "Philadelphia home linked to 7 missing women, late resident's potential 'serial killer' memoir investigated," *Fox News,* September 2026. https://www.foxnews.com/us/philadelphia-home-search-uncovers-possible-human-ashes-images-7-missing-women-police.print
[^13]: Barbara Laker and Ellie Rushing, "Cousin of a Raymond Horsch victim criticizes police for sharing graphic details at news conference before telling family," *The Philadelphia Inquirer,* September 17, 2026. https://www.inquirer.com/news/nicole-fusaro-family-complaint-horsch-olney-house-investigation-20260917.html
[^14]: Joe Holden and Nate Sylves, "Olney 'house of horrors' investigation sparks questions over Philadelphia police missing persons handling," *CBS Philadelphia,* September 17, 2026. https://www.cbsnews.com/philadelphia/news/rc-horsch-amy-mchale-olney-house-of-horrors-philadelphia/
[^15]: Order (Document 48), No. 2:22-cv-02227-CFK (E.D. Pa. July 26, 2023). https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/USCOURTS-paed-2_22-cv-02227/pdf/USCOURTS-paed-2_22-cv-02227-0.pdf
[^16]: Docket entry 49, CourtListener docket 63364906, United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, entry filed August 2, 2023. https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/63364906/49/mccrorey-v-philadelphia-police-department/
[^17]: Order (Document 50) and redacted Memorandum (Document 51), No. 2:22-cv-02227-CFK (E.D. Pa. Aug. 2, 2023). https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/USCOURTS-paed-2_22-cv-02227/pdf/USCOURTS-paed-2_22-cv-02227-1.pdf and https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/USCOURTS-paed-2_22-cv-02227/pdf/USCOURTS-paed-2_22-cv-02227-2.pdf

4
10 - PEOPLE/(T-Z)/Larry Visoski.md
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@ -41,14 +41,14 @@ relations:
end: 2021-11-30
fn: 2
created: 2026-09-25
updated: 2026-10-08
updated: 2026-10-14
---
Lawrence Paul Visoski Jr., known as Larry Visoski, is an American pilot who flew [[Jeffrey Epstein]]'s aircraft from 1991 to 2019, including the Boeing 727 known as the [[Lolita Express]]. Federal Aviation Administration files and a [[Government of the United States Virgin Islands|Virgin Islands]] complaint list him as manager or member of several of the [[U.S. Virgin Islands]] companies that held Epstein's jets and helicopters. He was the government's first witness at the 2021 trial of [[Ghislaine Maxwell]] in the [[U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York|Southern District of New York]], where he testified that Epstein had paid for his two daughters' education and had given him land at [[Zorro Ranch]] in [[New Mexico]]. Bank records released by the [[Department of Justice|Justice Department]] in 2026 show checks from Epstein's [[JPMorgan Chase]] account totaling 106,654 dollars to [[Syracuse University]] for one of the daughters between 2009 and 2012.[^1][^2][^3]
### Aircraft Companies
In August and September 2021, while prosecutors prepared the Maxwell trial, a special agent of the [[Federal Aviation Administration]]'s Law Enforcement Assistance Program in [[Atlanta]] summarized for federal investigators the registration files of ten aircraft connected to Epstein. Of a [[Bell 430]] helicopter registered to [[Hyperion Air]], Inc. in 2012, renumbered N331JE and transferred in August 2013 to Hyperion Air LLC of [[St. Thomas]], the agent wrote that "the same players in the Inc and LLC are on the FAA registration paperwork, Darren INDYKE and Lawrence VISOSKI," a reference to Epstein's lawyer [[Darren Indyke]]. A 1988 Gulfstream G-IV was registered in May 2013 to [[JEGE, Inc.|JEGE, LLC]] of St. Thomas, a company formed in the Virgin Islands on October 19, 2012, whose members were Epstein and Visoski; Visoski changed its registration number to N212JE in 2013 and to N120JE in 2017.[^4]
In August and September 2021 a special agent of the [[Federal Aviation Administration]]'s Law Enforcement Assistance Program in [[Atlanta]] summarized for federal investigators the registration files of ten aircraft connected to Epstein. Of a [[Bell 430]] helicopter registered to [[Hyperion Air]], Inc. in 2012, renumbered N331JE and transferred in August 2013 to Hyperion Air LLC of [[St. Thomas]], the agent wrote that "the same players in the Inc and LLC are on the FAA registration paperwork, Darren INDYKE and Lawrence VISOSKI," a reference to Epstein's lawyer [[Darren Indyke]]. A 1988 Gulfstream G-IV was registered in May 2013 to [[JEGE, Inc.|JEGE, LLC]] of St. Thomas, a company formed in the Virgin Islands on October 19, 2012, whose members were Epstein and Visoski; Visoski changed its registration number to N212JE in 2013 and to N120JE in 2017.[^4]
A 2007 Gulfstream G550 was sold by [[Chevron]] USA on March 29, 2017 to Plan D LLC, a Virgin Islands company of which Epstein was a member and Visoski the manager, and took the number N212JE in January 2018. The agent wrote: "I don't see EPSTEIN's name on any of the FAA paperwork." Flight plans show the jet flying from [[Paris]] to [[Teterboro Airport|Teterboro]] on July 7, 2019 and from Teterboro to Brunswick, [[Georgia]], on July 11. On December 22, 2020, sixteen months after Epstein's death, Visoski, for Plan D, "sold" the aircraft to Six G Aviation LLC, which "sold" it the same day to N550GP LLC of Ontario, [[California]].[^4]

4
10 - PEOPLE/(T-Z)/Louis de Wohl.md
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@ -9,6 +9,7 @@ tags:
- Nazi
- Occult
summary: "Louis de Wohl was a German-born Hungarian astrologer and British citizen who became a key figure in Allied black propaganda during World War II."
updated: 2026-10-15
born: 1903-01-24
died: 1961-06-02
location: "Berlin, Germany"
@ -16,6 +17,8 @@ location: "Berlin, Germany"
Louis de Wohl was a German-born Hungarian astrologer and British citizen who became a key figure in Allied black propaganda during [[World War II]]. He was one of the most high-profile astrologers in the Western world, with admirers including [[Lord Halifax]], Britain's Foreign Secretary, and the Duke of Alba, the ambassador from [[Spain]][^1].
The National Archives holds a Security Service personal file on de Wohl covering August 31, 1940 to August 19, 1952. The catalogue describes him as a professional astrologer who worked for the [[Special Operations Executive]].[^2]
De Wohl's mission in America, in the summer of 1941, was to elevate astrology into the realm of "astro-philosophy" and, more importantly, to influence American public opinion in favor of aiding [[Great Britain]]. His syndicated American column, "Stars Foretell," consistently emphasized the Nazi threat. Starting in June 1941, shortly after the [[Rudolf Hess]] affair, de Wohl's predictions became unusually specific and appeared to come true, such as his foretelling of a "strong collaborator of Hitler who is neither German nor a Nazi will go violently insane," which was followed by reports of Admiral Georges Robert, the Vichy High Commissioner of the French West Indies, going mad[^1].
His escalating popularity led the [[Federal Communications Commission]] to lift its ban against astrologers and air an exclusive interview with him. He was also the first astrologer filmed for a U.S. newsreel. However, de Wohl's successful American career was a product of [[British Intelligence]], specifically through its operational arm in America, the [[British Security Coordination Office]]. His so-called manager was none other than the spymaster [[William Stephenson]], whom [[Winston Churchill]] famously called Intrepid. The [[American Federation of Scientific Astrologers]] and its 1941 convention had been fabricated by [[British Intelligence]]. The British spy agency would first feed information to de Wohl for his column, and then feed this bogus information to the U.S. press, which, unable to fact-check with [[Nazi Germany]], would report it as real[^1].
@ -26,3 +29,4 @@ For the next few years, de Wohl was used by the Allies as a countermeasure to [[
### Footnotes
[^1]: Jacobsen, Annie. *Phenomena: The Secret History of the U.S. Government's Investigations into Extrasensory Perception and Psychokinesis*. Little, Brown and Company, 2017.
[^2]: The National Archives, Kew, Security Service personal file on Louis de Wohl, reference C11439609, covering August 31, 1940 to August 19, 1952. https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C11439609

103
10 - PEOPLE/(T-Z)/Peter Thiel.md
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@ -19,6 +19,11 @@ born: 1967-10-11
location: "Frankfurt, West Germany (born); San Francisco, California (base)"
created: 2026-06-17
updated: 2026-10-14
relations:
- type: funded
with: "[[1517 Fund]]"
role: "named as an investor in the fund in a December 2016 Bloomberg Businessweek profile"
fn: 9
---
Peter Thiel (born October 11, 1967, in [[Frankfurt]], [[West Germany]]) is a German-born American billionaire investor and the central figure of the [[PayPal Mafia]], the informal network of founders and early executives of [[PayPal]] who went on to found or lead much of the subsequent generation of [[Silicon Valley]] companies. Thiel cofounded PayPal, founded the venture capital firm [[Founders Fund]], and cofounded and chairs the data-analytics and defense contractor [[Palantir Technologies]]. In 2006 he cofounded the secret society [[Dialog]] with [[Auren Hoffman]]. He is the most prominent documented financial patron of the neoreactionary philosopher [[Curtis Yarvin]], the founder of [[Neoreaction]] (NRx) and co-originator of the [[Dark Enlightenment]], and his political investments extended to funding the covert lawsuit that destroyed [[Gawker Media]] and bankrolling the U.S. Senate and subsequent vice-presidential campaigns of [[JD Vance]].[^1][^2][^3]
@ -27,9 +32,9 @@ Across these activities Thiel has built a coordinated program for the privatizat
### PayPal and the PayPal Mafia
Thiel cofounded the online payments company Confinity in 1998, which merged with [[Elon Musk]]'s X.com in 2000 to form PayPal, and Thiel served as chief executive through the company's 2002 initial public offering and acquisition by [[eBay]] for 1.5 billion dollars. eBay's announcement of October 3, 2002, the day it completed the acquisition, states: "Peter Thiel announced today that he has resigned as PayPal's CEO," and that Matt Bannick, eBay's senior vice president for global online payments, would assume all of Thiel's responsibilities.[^27] The exit dispersed a cohort of founders and early engineers, each capitalised at levels that let them found the subsequent generation of consumer-internet companies, and the cohort acquired the label PayPal Mafia as a recognizable social and commercial network.[^1][^4]
Thiel cofounded the online payments company Confinity in 1998, which merged with [[Elon Musk]]'s X.com in 2000 to form PayPal, and Thiel served as chief executive through the company's 2002 initial public offering and acquisition by [[eBay]] for 1.5 billion dollars. eBay's announcement of October 3, 2002, the day it completed the acquisition, states: "Peter Thiel announced today that he has resigned as PayPal's CEO," and that Matt Bannick, eBay's senior vice president for global online payments, would assume all of Thiel's responsibilities.[^4] The exit dispersed a cohort of founders and early engineers, each capitalised at levels that let them found the subsequent generation of consumer-internet companies, and the cohort acquired the label PayPal Mafia as a recognizable social and commercial network.[^1][^5]
The PayPal Mafia included [[Max Levchin]] (CTO, later [[Affirm]]), [[Reid Hoffman]] (executive vice president, later [[LinkedIn]]), [[David Sacks]] (COO, later [[Yammer]] and the Trump administration crypto role), [[Ken Howery]] (CFO, later Trump-era ambassador to [[Sweden]]), [[Luke Nosek]] (founding team, later Founders Fund partner), [[Roelof Botha]] (CFO, later [[Sequoia Capital]] partner), [[Keith Rabois]] (executive, later Founders Fund and OpenStore), [[Jeremy Stoppelman]] (later [[Yelp]]), and the three YouTube cofounders [[Chad Hurley]], [[Steve Chen]], and [[Jawed Karim]]. Six members of the network appear on the leaked 2026 Dialog retreat roster, per *WIRED*. The network functions as a recurring capital and endorsement channel: PayPal Mafia founders sit on each other's boards, invest in each other's subsequent companies, and convene, through Dialog, in the same off-the-record setting.[^1][^4]
The PayPal Mafia included [[Max Levchin]] (CTO, later [[Affirm]]), [[Reid Hoffman]] (executive vice president, later [[LinkedIn]]), [[David Sacks]] (COO, later [[Yammer]] and the Trump administration crypto role), [[Ken Howery]] (CFO, later Trump-era ambassador to [[Sweden]]), [[Luke Nosek]] (founding team, later Founders Fund partner), [[Roelof Botha]] (CFO, later [[Sequoia Capital]] partner), [[Keith Rabois]] (executive, later Founders Fund and OpenStore), [[Jeremy Stoppelman]] (later [[Yelp]]), and the three YouTube cofounders [[Chad Hurley]], [[Steve Chen]], and [[Jawed Karim]]. Six members of the network appear on the leaked 2026 Dialog retreat roster, per *WIRED*. The network functions as a recurring capital and endorsement channel: PayPal Mafia founders sit on each other's boards, invest in each other's subsequent companies, and convene, through Dialog, in the same off-the-record setting.[^1][^5]
### Palantir Technologies
@ -43,19 +48,23 @@ Thiel founded Founders Fund in 2005 with Howery and Nosek. The firm's portfolio
The thesis is set out in the 2014 book *Zero to One*, coauthored by Thiel and Masters, which argues that competition is for losers and that durable value comes from building monopolies around proprietary technology. The framework licenses the fund's preference for capital-intensive, defensibility-focused bets in domains (defense, frontier biotech, sovereign-grade infrastructure) that traditional venture capital had avoided. Founders Fund was the first institutional backer of Anduril Industries, the [[Palmer Luckey]] defense firm that operationalized the same thesis for the Pentagon market, and the firm's defense portfolio is the commercial counterpart to Thiel's argument that state capacity should be rebuilt by private contractors under private control.[^2]
Founders Fund led the 45 million dollar Series B of [[Polymarket]] in May 2024, and in October 2025 Polymarket's chief executive disclosed a 150 million dollar round in 2025 that the firm led at a 1.2 billion dollar valuation.[^5][^6] Reuters reported in September 2025 that Thiel had introduced JD Vance to [[Christopher Buskirk]] and had put millions of dollars into a political committee that paid consulting fees to a Buskirk company; Buskirk is a principal of [[1789 Capital]], which invested in Polymarket in August 2025 and appears among the investors in the 150 million dollar round.[^7]
Founders Fund led the 45 million dollar Series B of [[Polymarket]] in May 2024, and in October 2025 Polymarket's chief executive disclosed a 150 million dollar round in 2025 that the firm led at a 1.2 billion dollar valuation.[^6][^7] Reuters reported in September 2025 that Thiel had introduced JD Vance to [[Christopher Buskirk]] and had put millions of dollars into a political committee that paid consulting fees to a Buskirk company; Buskirk is a principal of [[1789 Capital]], which invested in Polymarket in August 2025 and appears among the investors in the 150 million dollar round.[^8]
### 1517 Fund
[[Danielle Strachman]] and [[Michael Gibson]], whom [[Bloomberg Businessweek]] called co-heads of the Thiel Fellowship, pitched Thiel over breakfast in the spring of 2016 on a venture firm that became [[1517 Fund]]. The magazine's December 1, 2016 profile states: "Thiel bit, as did about 30 other investors, including EBay founder Pierre Omidyar, Skype co-founder Jaan Tallinn, the Coors family, Texas' Hunt family, and Nicolas Berggruen," and reports that the investors had put 20 million dollars into the fund.[^9] A 2023 review of Gibson's book [[Paper Belt on Fire]] states that Thiel "invested $4 million" and describes the parting between the founders and Thiel as seemingly amicable.[^10]
### Dialog
In 2006 Thiel cofounded the invitation-only secret society Dialog with Hoffman, which convenes U.S. officials, foreign government figures, and Silicon Valley executives at off-the-record annual retreats. The organization operated without a public website and with a deliberately concealed membership until June 2026, when the hacktivist crimew published a membership directory embedded in the Dialog website's source code and a source separately provided *WIRED* with the 222-name registration list for the 2026 retreat. The 2026 registrants included Musk, Harris, Representative Himes, Senator Booker, Senator Cruz, Governor Polis, Levin of Stanford University, and the [[NATO]] Supreme Allied Commander Europe General Grynkewich.[^1]
Dialog's function in the Thiel network is convening: it places the commercial principals (the PayPal Mafia core), the ideological principals (the neoreactionary and adjacent intellectuals), and the government principals (sitting senators, the [[House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence|House Intelligence Committee]] ranking member, an active four-star NATO commander) in a single off-the-record room. The registration fee of more than 16,000 dollars, the no-press rule, and the matchmaking app together constitute the design of a private institution optimized for sustained, repeated, unrecorded contact across the three networks. A 2013 Dialog retreat invitation surfaced in the [[Department of Justice]] Epstein document release, forwarded to Epstein in November 2012, which establishes that Dialog's circulation list overlapped with the Epstein contact network in Thiel's orbit.[^1][^4]
Dialog's function in the Thiel network is convening: it places the commercial principals (the PayPal Mafia core), the ideological principals (the neoreactionary and adjacent intellectuals), and the government principals (sitting senators, the [[House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence|House Intelligence Committee]] ranking member, an active four-star NATO commander) in a single off-the-record room. The registration fee of more than 16,000 dollars, the no-press rule, and the matchmaking app together constitute the design of a private institution optimized for sustained, repeated, unrecorded contact across the three networks. A 2013 Dialog retreat invitation surfaced in the [[Department of Justice]] Epstein document release, forwarded to Epstein in November 2012, which establishes that Dialog's circulation list overlapped with the Epstein contact network in Thiel's orbit.[^1][^5]
### René Girard and Mimetic Theory
Thiel's intellectual framework derives from the French theorist [[Rene Girard|René Girard]], under whom he studied as a [[Stanford University]] undergraduate in the late 1980s and with whom he kept a lifelong association. Girard's theory of mimetic desire holds that people want things because others want them, that imitation breeds rivalry, and that archaic societies discharged the resulting violence onto scapegoats. Thiel adopted the framework directly: he credits it with his 2004 decision to make the first outside investment in [[Facebook]], which he read as a mimetic engine, and *Zero to One* applies the theory in arguing that competition is a destructive trap and that founders should escape rivalry by building monopolies.[^2][^8]
Thiel's intellectual framework derives from the French theorist [[Rene Girard|René Girard]], under whom he studied as a [[Stanford University]] undergraduate in the late 1980s and with whom he kept a lifelong association. Girard's theory of mimetic desire holds that people want things because others want them, that imitation breeds rivalry, and that archaic societies discharged the resulting violence onto scapegoats. Thiel adopted the framework directly: he credits it with his 2004 decision to make the first outside investment in [[Facebook]], which he read as a mimetic engine, and *Zero to One* applies the theory in arguing that competition is a destructive trap and that founders should escape rivalry by building monopolies.[^2][^11]
Thiel funds Imitatio, a [[Thiel Foundation]] project he established with the theologian [[Robert Hamerton-Kelly]] and Girard to promote mimetic theory. The Girardian reading of crowds and scapegoating recurs across Thiel's public conduct, from his account of his 2007 outing by Gawker to the apocalyptic structure of the Antichrist lectures.[^8][^9]
Thiel funds Imitatio, a [[Thiel Foundation]] project he established with the theologian [[Robert Hamerton-Kelly]] and Girard to promote mimetic theory. The Girardian reading of crowds and scapegoating recurs across Thiel's public conduct, from his account of his 2007 outing by Gawker to the apocalyptic structure of the Antichrist lectures.[^11][^12]
### The Curtis Yarvin Patronage and Neoreaction
@ -65,9 +74,9 @@ The Yarvin current is intellectually adjacent to but distinct from the violent [
### The Singularity Institute and AI-Risk Funding
Thiel was the earliest prominent funder of the artificial-intelligence-risk movement that produced the Bay Area [[Rationalist Community]]. He began donating in 2005 to the Singularity Institute for Artificial Intelligence, the nonprofit founded by [[Eliezer Yudkowsky]] that was later renamed the [[Machine Intelligence Research Institute]] (MIRI), and in 2006 cofounded its conference, the [[Singularity Summit]], with Yudkowsky and the futurist [[Ray Kurzweil]]. His cumulative donations to the institute were later reported as exceeding 1.6 million dollars. The funding helped concentrate the rationalist and transhumanist scene in the [[San Francisco Bay Area]] during its formative decade, the same milieu from which the [[Effective Altruism]] movement and the [[Leverage Research]], [[Michael Vassar|Vassarite]], and [[The Zizians|Zizian]] formations later emerged.[^10]
Thiel was the earliest prominent funder of the artificial-intelligence-risk movement that produced the Bay Area [[Rationalist Community]]. He began donating in 2005 to the Singularity Institute for Artificial Intelligence, the nonprofit founded by [[Eliezer Yudkowsky]] that was later renamed the [[Machine Intelligence Research Institute]] (MIRI), and in 2006 cofounded its conference, the [[Singularity Summit]], with Yudkowsky and the futurist [[Ray Kurzweil]]. His cumulative donations to the institute were later reported as exceeding 1.6 million dollars. The funding helped concentrate the rationalist and transhumanist scene in the [[San Francisco Bay Area]] during its formative decade, the same milieu from which the [[Effective Altruism]] movement and the [[Leverage Research]], [[Michael Vassar|Vassarite]], and [[The Zizians|Zizian]] formations later emerged.[^13]
By the mid-2010s Thiel said the researchers he had funded had drifted "from transhumanism to Luddite." In a private four-part lecture series on the [[Antichrist]] delivered in [[San Francisco]] in September and October 2025, recordings of which reached the *[[Washington Post]]*, he named Yudkowsky alongside the philosopher [[Nick Bostrom]] and the climate activist [[Greta Thunberg]] as "legionnaires of the Antichrist," technology-stopping figures he said had become "deranged." In the September 15 lecture he said, "In the 21st century, the Antichrist is a Luddite who wants to stop all science. It's someone like Greta or Eliezer."[^9]
By the mid-2010s Thiel said the researchers he had funded had drifted "from transhumanism to Luddite." In a private four-part lecture series on the [[Antichrist]] delivered in [[San Francisco]] in September and October 2025, recordings of which reached the *[[Washington Post]]*, he named Yudkowsky alongside the philosopher [[Nick Bostrom]] and the climate activist [[Greta Thunberg]] as "legionnaires of the Antichrist," technology-stopping figures he said had become "deranged." In the September 15 lecture he said, "In the 21st century, the Antichrist is a Luddite who wants to stop all science. It's someone like Greta or Eliezer."[^12]
### The Gawker Litigation
@ -83,9 +92,9 @@ Thiel spoke at the 2016 Republican National Convention endorsing Trump and was a
### The 2016 Transition and the NSC Placements
Thiel joined the Trump transition team's executive committee in November 2016 and used the position to place associates into national-security and technology roles. [[Kevin Harrington|Kevin Harrington]], managing director of [[Thiel Macro|Thiel Macro LLC]] and a longtime Thiel associate, was appointed Senior Director for Strategic Planning on the [[National Security Council|National Security Council]] and subsequently elevated to Deputy Assistant to the President for Strategic Planning. *Just Security* described Harrington as an architect of the Trump NSC structure. [[Justin Mikolay|Justin Mikolay]], a former Palantir official, took a senior government role, and a Thiel aide was appointed [[White House]] Deputy Chief Technology Officer.[^11]
Thiel joined the Trump transition team's executive committee in November 2016 and used the position to place associates into national-security and technology roles. [[Kevin Harrington|Kevin Harrington]], managing director of [[Thiel Macro|Thiel Macro LLC]] and a longtime Thiel associate, was appointed Senior Director for Strategic Planning on the [[National Security Council|National Security Council]] and subsequently elevated to Deputy Assistant to the President for Strategic Planning. *Just Security* described Harrington as an architect of the Trump NSC structure. [[Justin Mikolay|Justin Mikolay]], a former Palantir official, took a senior government role, and a Thiel aide was appointed [[White House]] Deputy Chief Technology Officer.[^14]
Thiel himself declined a formal administration position, telling *Politico* in January 2017 that he wanted to "stay involved in Silicon Valley and help Mr. Trump as I can without a full-time position." The Harrington NSC placement placed a Thiel-employee inside the strategic-planning apparatus of the national-security council, at the level where intelligence priorities, defense procurement, and foreign-policy framing are coordinated. The placement ran alongside the Palantir government-contracting expansion, the Founders Fund defense-portfolio buildout, and the Dialog convening-network operation.[^11]
Thiel himself declined a formal administration position, telling *Politico* in January 2017 that he wanted to "stay involved in Silicon Valley and help Mr. Trump as I can without a full-time position." The Harrington NSC placement placed a Thiel-employee inside the strategic-planning apparatus of the national-security council, at the level where intelligence priorities, defense procurement, and foreign-policy framing are coordinated. The placement ran alongside the Palantir government-contracting expansion, the Founders Fund defense-portfolio buildout, and the Dialog convening-network operation.[^14]
### The Sovereign Individual and the Ideological Frame
@ -95,62 +104,64 @@ The Davidson-Rees-Mogg thesis is that the sovereign individual is the natural su
### Epstein Contacts
The unsealed [[Jeffrey Epstein|Epstein]] document releases under the [[Epstein Files Transparency Act]] document a Thiel-Epstein relationship running from 2011 through 2019, eight years after Epstein's 2008 federal [[Epstein non-prosecution agreement|non-prosecution agreement]]. The primary-document index (EFTA01738574) records a February 6, 2016 email in which Epstein wrote that Thiel "LOVED the secret socieity [sic] idea.. he has done alot of work on the concept. all failed so far." An August 2015 dinner that Reid Hoffman hosted in [[Palo Alto]] (EFTA00344556, EFTA00344564) placed Thiel at the same table as [[Mark Zuckerberg]], Elon Musk, [[Joi Ito]] of the [[MIT Media Lab]], and Epstein. *Jacobin* (April 2026) reported that hundreds of emails document Epstein's encouragement of Thiel's political trajectory, including a February 2013 audio recording of Epstein advising Thiel.[^1][^12][^13]
The unsealed [[Jeffrey Epstein|Epstein]] document releases under the [[Epstein Files Transparency Act]] document a Thiel-Epstein relationship running from 2011 through 2019, eight years after Epstein's 2008 federal [[Epstein non-prosecution agreement|non-prosecution agreement]]. The primary-document index (EFTA01738574) records a February 6, 2016 email in which Epstein wrote that Thiel "LOVED the secret socieity [sic] idea.. he has done alot of work on the concept. all failed so far." An August 2015 dinner that Reid Hoffman hosted in [[Palo Alto]] (EFTA00344556, EFTA00344564) placed Thiel at the same table as [[Mark Zuckerberg]], Elon Musk, [[Joi Ito]] of the [[MIT Media Lab]], and Epstein. *Jacobin* (April 2026) reported that hundreds of emails document Epstein's encouragement of Thiel's political trajectory, including a February 2013 audio recording of Epstein advising Thiel.[^1][^15][^16]
A 2013 Dialog retreat invitation forwarded to Epstein in November 2012 surfaced in the Department of Justice [[Epstein Files|Epstein document release]] (document D-23831), placing Epstein on the Dialog circulation list. The [[New York Times]] reported in May 2023 that Thiel met with Epstein multiple times in 2014. The Carstensen EFTA index documents additional exchanges including a 2014 meeting at the [[9 East 71st Street|Epstein townhouse]] attended by CIA director [[William Burns|William J. Burns]] and an occasion on which Thiel lunched with Russian UN ambassador [[Vitaly Churkin]]. Thiel is one of a number of Silicon Valley and finance figures whose post-2008 contacts with Epstein have been documented through the releases.[^1][^12][^13][^14]
A 2013 Dialog retreat invitation forwarded to Epstein in November 2012 surfaced in the Department of Justice [[Epstein Files|Epstein document release]] (document D-23831), placing Epstein on the Dialog circulation list. The [[New York Times]] reported in May 2023 that Thiel met with Epstein multiple times in 2014. The Carstensen EFTA index documents additional exchanges including a 2014 meeting at the [[9 East 71st Street|Epstein townhouse]] attended by CIA director [[William Burns|William J. Burns]] and an occasion on which Thiel lunched with Russian UN ambassador [[Vitaly Churkin]]. Thiel is one of a number of Silicon Valley and finance figures whose post-2008 contacts with Epstein have been documented through the releases.[^1][^15][^16][^17]
Epstein's staff described the August 2015 gathering as Thiel's as well as Hoffman's. On August 5, 2015, Epstein's assistant [[Lesley Groff]] wrote to a member of Zuckerberg's staff that "Jeffrey Epstein attended Reid Hoffman/Peter Thiel's dinner party this past Sunday night at Baume Restaurant," on August 2, and that "At the party Mark requested Jeffrey send his contact details to him."[^15]
Epstein's staff described the August 2015 gathering as Thiel's as well as Hoffman's. On August 5, 2015, Epstein's assistant [[Lesley Groff]] wrote to a member of Zuckerberg's staff that "Jeffrey Epstein attended Reid Hoffman/Peter Thiel's dinner party this past Sunday night at Baume Restaurant," on August 2, and that "At the party Mark requested Jeffrey send his contact details to him."[^18]
On May 21, 2018, Epstein wrote to Thiel: "FYI trae is meeting carbyne Ehud Barak co."[^16] [[Carbyne]], formerly Reporty Homeland Security, was an Israeli emergency-call technology company chaired by the former Israeli prime minister [[Ehud Barak]], in which Epstein held an investment through a limited partnership funded by his [[Southern Trust Company]].[^17] In January 2019 Barak, copying Epstein, offered Carbyne's services for the 2022 World Cup to Jabor Al Thani of Qatar, proposing to "work through a European company of your choice and minimize Israeli profile."[^17]
On May 21, 2018, Epstein wrote to Thiel: "FYI trae is meeting carbyne Ehud Barak co."[^19] [[Carbyne]], formerly Reporty Homeland Security, was an Israeli emergency-call technology company chaired by the former Israeli prime minister [[Ehud Barak]], in which Epstein held an investment through a limited partnership funded by his [[Southern Trust Company]].[^20] In January 2019 Barak, copying Epstein, offered Carbyne's services for the 2022 World Cup to Jabor Al Thani of Qatar, proposing to "work through a European company of your choice and minimize Israeli profile."[^20]
On September 8, 2014 Epstein wrote to Thiel: "any interest in woody alien". Thiel answered that night: "Would be cool to meet him sometime, but don't go out of the way to make this happen..." and asked: "Are we planning something the weekend of the 13th-14th?"[^18] On September 9 Epstein wrote that the afternoon of the 13th would be "you and I", followed by William Burns, and that "if you choose we can bring in kathy ruemmler. former obama counsel for 5 years. and or sen Bob kerrey, former senate intellignece".[^18] On September 10 Epstein sent Thiel a schedule: "2 pm one on one you and I , 3 -4 bill burns to join. i will need alone time with him after. 730 woody and kathy ruemmler for dinner ( again you can bring guest/s if you choose). sunday lunch with bob kerrey if you have interest or we can continue our one on one".[^19] Thiel replied on September 12: "Free from about 5pm onwards on Saturday... Sunday lunch with Kerrey would be great." Epstein answered: "see you at 5 , bill burns will be here then dinner with woody and kathy".[^20] Epstein's scheduler had written to [[Bob Kerrey]] on September 2 that "Jeffrey is having Peter Thiel and possibly Bill Burns for lunch at his home in NY on Sat. Sept 13th and Sun. Sept. 14th", and a reminder of September 12 reads: "We told him Peter Thiel (Kathy Ruemmler and Cass are attending as well)".[^21] On the night of September 13 Epstein wrote to [[Kathryn Ruemmler]]: "peter will not make it tomorw we just finished".[^22]
On September 8, 2014 Epstein wrote to Thiel: "any interest in woody alien". Thiel answered that night: "Would be cool to meet him sometime, but don't go out of the way to make this happen..." and asked: "Are we planning something the weekend of the 13th-14th?"[^21] On September 9 Epstein wrote that the afternoon of the 13th would be "you and I", followed by William Burns, and that "if you choose we can bring in kathy ruemmler. former obama counsel for 5 years. and or sen Bob kerrey, former senate intellignece".[^21] On September 10 Epstein sent Thiel a schedule: "2 pm one on one you and I , 3 -4 bill burns to join. i will need alone time with him after. 730 woody and kathy ruemmler for dinner ( again you can bring guest/s if you choose). sunday lunch with bob kerrey if you have interest or we can continue our one on one".[^22] Thiel replied on September 12: "Free from about 5pm onwards on Saturday... Sunday lunch with Kerrey would be great." Epstein answered: "see you at 5 , bill burns will be here then dinner with woody and kathy".[^23] Epstein's scheduler had written to [[Bob Kerrey]] on September 2 that "Jeffrey is having Peter Thiel and possibly Bill Burns for lunch at his home in NY on Sat. Sept 13th and Sun. Sept. 14th", and a reminder of September 12 reads: "We told him Peter Thiel (Kathy Ruemmler and Cass are attending as well)".[^24] On the night of September 13 Epstein wrote to [[Kathryn Ruemmler]]: "peter will not make it tomorw we just finished".[^25]
### The FBI Confidential Human Source Relationship
[[Business Insider]] reported in October 2023 that Thiel began providing information to the [[Federal Bureau of Investigation|FBI]] as a confidential human source (CHS) in summer 2021, with the Los Angeles-based counterintelligence agent [[Jonathan Buma]] as his handler. The CHS relationship placed Thiel in the formal FBI source program while he simultaneously chaired Palantir Technologies (a major CIA and FBI contractor), cofounded the Dialog convening network, funded the JD Vance and Blake Masters Senate campaigns, and maintained the documented Epstein relationship that ran through 2019. A [[House Committee on the Judiciary|House Judiciary Committee]] document submitted January 22, 2026 references Thiel's CHS role in the congressional record.[^23]
[[Business Insider]] reported in October 2023 that Thiel began providing information to the [[Federal Bureau of Investigation|FBI]] as a confidential human source (CHS) in summer 2021, with the Los Angeles-based counterintelligence agent [[Jonathan Buma]] as his handler. The CHS relationship placed Thiel in the formal FBI source program while he simultaneously chaired Palantir Technologies (a major CIA and FBI contractor), cofounded the Dialog convening network, funded the JD Vance and Blake Masters Senate campaigns, and maintained the documented Epstein relationship that ran through 2019. A [[House Committee on the Judiciary|House Judiciary Committee]] document submitted January 22, 2026 references Thiel's CHS role in the congressional record.[^26]
Buma was arrested at [[John F. Kennedy International Airport|JFK Airport]] on March 17, 2025 while attempting to board an international flight, charged with unlawfully disclosing confidential information. [[CBS News]] reported that FBI investigators assessed Buma may have compromised as many as 130 FBI files. Buma publicly accused the FBI of pro-Trump political bias, and claimed in May 2025 (per [[The Guardian]]) that "intense" Russian-intelligence efforts had targeted Elon Musk.[^23][^24]
Buma was arrested at [[John F. Kennedy International Airport|JFK Airport]] on March 17, 2025 while attempting to board an international flight, charged with unlawfully disclosing confidential information. [[CBS News]] reported that FBI investigators assessed Buma may have compromised as many as 130 FBI files. Buma publicly accused the FBI of pro-Trump political bias, and claimed in May 2025 (per [[The Guardian]]) that "intense" Russian-intelligence efforts had targeted Elon Musk.[^26][^27]
### The Clearview AI Seed Investment
Thiel was the first investor in [[Clearview AI]], the facial-recognition firm founded by [[Hoan Ton-That]] and [[Richard Schwartz]], providing seed funding before the company was even named (the [[Smart Checker]] period). [[NPR]] confirmed in 2023 that Thiel was Clearview's first investor. The seed investment was made directly by Thiel rather than through Founders Fund, placing Clearview in the same Thiel-seed-investment lineage as Palantir.[^25]
Thiel was the first investor in [[Clearview AI]], the facial-recognition firm founded by [[Hoan Ton-That]] and [[Richard Schwartz]], providing seed funding before the company was even named (the [[Smart Checker]] period). [[NPR]] confirmed in 2023 that Thiel was Clearview's first investor. The seed investment was made directly by Thiel rather than through Founders Fund, placing Clearview in the same Thiel-seed-investment lineage as Palantir.[^28]
The *New York Times* reported in March 2021 that [[Charles C. Johnson|Charles Johnson]], the far-right provocateur and self-described federal informant, played a pivotal early role alongside Thiel in the Clearview founding. Johnson announced in 2017 that he was "building algorithms to ID all the illegal immigrants for the deportation squads," which *Byline Supplement* reported as part of the Clearview prehistory. Johnson subsequently claimed cofounder status and sued Clearview for a share of its profits before dropping the suit in February 2025.[^25]
The *New York Times* reported in March 2021 that [[Charles C. Johnson|Charles Johnson]], the far-right provocateur and self-described federal informant, played a pivotal early role alongside Thiel in the Clearview founding. Johnson announced in 2017 that he was "building algorithms to ID all the illegal immigrants for the deportation squads," which *Byline Supplement* reported as part of the Clearview prehistory. Johnson subsequently claimed cofounder status and sued Clearview for a share of its profits before dropping the suit in February 2025.[^28]
Johnson disclosed Thiel's FBI CHS status, per the Business Insider reporting of October 2023. The Johnson-Thiel relationship extends beyond Clearview: the *Business Insider* piece described Johnson as "a tech investor and far-right agitator with long-standing ties to both Thiel and to the network." The [[Federal Trade Commission]] issued a consent order against Clearview in March 2022 barring the company from selling its database to private entities, following the documented deployment of the product by law enforcement, government clients, and private actors.[^25]
Johnson disclosed Thiel's FBI CHS status, per the Business Insider reporting of October 2023. The Johnson-Thiel relationship extends beyond Clearview: the *Business Insider* piece described Johnson as "a tech investor and far-right agitator with long-standing ties to both Thiel and to the network." The [[Federal Trade Commission]] issued a consent order against Clearview in March 2022 barring the company from selling its database to private entities, following the documented deployment of the product by law enforcement, government clients, and private actors.[^28]
### New Zealand Citizenship
Thiel was granted [[New Zealand]] citizenship on August 4, 2011 under an "exceptional circumstances" provision that waived the standard 1,350-day residency requirement. Thiel had visited New Zealand four times before the grant and had never resided there. The *Guardian*, *New York Times*, and *Washington Post* reported in February 2017 that internal Department of Internal Affairs officials granted the waiver after Thiel made approximately ten million dollars in New Zealand investments (including stakes in [[Xero]]) and a one million dollar donation to [[Christchurch]] earthquake relief. Thiel described New Zealand as "the future" in his citizenship application.[^26]
Thiel was granted [[New Zealand]] citizenship on August 4, 2011 under an "exceptional circumstances" provision that waived the standard 1,350-day residency requirement. Thiel had visited New Zealand four times before the grant and had never resided there. The *Guardian*, *New York Times*, and *Washington Post* reported in February 2017 that internal Department of Internal Affairs officials granted the waiver after Thiel made approximately ten million dollars in New Zealand investments (including stakes in [[Xero]]) and a one million dollar donation to [[Christchurch]] earthquake relief. Thiel described New Zealand as "the future" in his citizenship application.[^29]
The citizenship was not publicly disclosed for nearly six years. The February 2017 disclosure prompted criticism of the New Zealand government's use of the exceptional-circumstances provision for a non-resident billionaire. Thiel also acquired a 193-hectare estate near [[Lake Wanaka]] in the South Island, part of a documented pattern of Silicon Valley billionaire property acquisition in New Zealand. The New Zealand government subsequently tightened the investor-visa provisions.[^26]
The citizenship was not publicly disclosed for nearly six years. The February 2017 disclosure prompted criticism of the New Zealand government's use of the exceptional-circumstances provision for a non-resident billionaire. Thiel also acquired a 193-hectare estate near [[Lake Wanaka]] in the South Island, part of a documented pattern of Silicon Valley billionaire property acquisition in New Zealand. The New Zealand government subsequently tightened the investor-visa provisions.[^29]
### Footnotes
[^1]: Cameron, Dell, and Yulia Almazova. "Leak Exposes Members of Peter Thiel's Secretive 'Dialog' Society." *WIRED,* June 16, 2026. https://www.wired.com/story/leak-exposes-members-of-peter-thiels-secretive-dialog-society/
[^2]: Thiel, Peter, and Blake Masters. *Zero to One: Notes on Startups, or How to Build the Future.* Crown Business, 2014.
[^3]: Yarvin, Curtis (Moldbug). "Unqualified Reservations" (blog), 2007 onward. See also Thiel, Peter. "The Education of a Libertarian." *Cato Unbound,* 2009. https://www.cato.org/cato-unbound/education-libertarian/
[^4]: U.S. Department of Justice, Epstein document release. 2013 Dialog retreat invitation forwarded to Jeffrey Epstein, November 2012. Document D-23831. https://epsteinexposed.com/documents/d-23831
[^5]: "Polymarket raises $45 million from Peter Thiel's Founders Fund, Vitalik Buterin and others," The Block, May 14, 2024. https://www.theblock.co/amp/post/294367/polymarket-raises-45-million-from-peter-thiels-founders-fund-vitalik-buterin-and-others
[^6]: Naga Avan-Nomayo, "Polymarket discloses past funding rounds totaling $205 million before $2 billion ICE investment," The Block, October 8, 2025. https://www.theblock.co/post/373783/polymarket-discloses-past-funding-rounds-totaling-205-million-before-2-billion-ice-investment
[^7]: Reuters, "Trump-linked venture fund 1789 Capital tops US$1 billion in assets," September 8, 2025, as carried by BNN Bloomberg. https://www.bnnbloomberg.ca/business/2025/09/08/trump-linked-venture-fund-1789-capital-tops-us1-billion-in-assets/ ; Form D/A, 1789 Capital Fund I, LP, accession 0001965234-25-000002. https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1965234/000196523425000002/primary_doc.xml
[^8]: "René Girard," *Encyclopædia Britannica.* https://www.britannica.com/biography/Rene-Girard ; "Mimesis, Violence, and Facebook: Peter Thiel's French Connection," *Cyborgology,* August 13, 2016. https://thesocietypages.org/cyborgology/2016/08/13/mimesis-violence-and-facebook-peter-thiels-french-connection-full-essay/ ; Imitatio, "What We Do." http://www.imitatio.org/about-imitatio
[^9]: "What billionaire Peter Thiel said in his private 'Antichrist lectures.'" *Washington Post,* October 10, 2025. https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2025/10/10/peter-thiel-antichrist-lectures-leaked/ ; "Peter Thiel Thinks the Antichrist Is 'Someone Like' This AI Doomer That He Funded." *Gizmodo,* October 2025. https://gizmodo.com/peter-thiel-thinks-the-antichrist-is-someone-like-this-ai-doomer-that-he-funded-2000671027
[^10]: Hagey, Keach. *The Optimist: Sam Altman, OpenAI, and the Race to Invent the Future.* W. W. Norton, 2025, on Thiel funding the Singularity Institute from 2005 and cofounding the 2006 Singularity Summit; cumulative donations cross-referenced against the MIRI donation timeline at timelines.issarice.com.
[^11]: "Disrupting the White House: Peter Thiel's Influence is Shaping the National Security Council." *Just Security.* https://www.justsecurity.org/37466/disrupting-white-house-peter-thiels-influence-shaping-national-security-council/ ; "Peter Thiel: I won't take a job with Trump's administration." *Politico,* January 2017. https://www.politico.com/story/2017/01/peter-thiel-no-job-trump-administration-233523 ; "Inside Trump's shadow national security council." *Washington Post,* January 19, 2017. https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/josh-rogin/wp/2017/01/19/inside-trumps-shadow-national-security-council/
[^12]: "Peter Thiel Is Latest Billionaire Said to Have Met With Jeffrey Epstein." *New York Times,* May 18, 2023. https://www.nytimes.com/2023/05/18/business/jeffrey-epstein-peter-thiel.html
[^13]: "Jeffrey Epstein Encouraged Peter Thiel's Political Journey." *Jacobin,* April 2026. https://jacobin.com/2026/04/epstein-thiel-tech-finance-trump ; "What Peter Thiel Saw in Jeffrey Epstein." *The Nation,* 2026. https://www.thenation.com/?post_type=article&p=586795
[^14]: Tommy Carstensen Epstein Files index, "Peter Thiel," cross-referencing the Epstein Files Transparency Act (EFTA) document releases, including EFTA01738574 (Feb 6, 2016 "secret society" email), EFTA00344556 and EFTA00344564 (2015 dinner guest list), and the Thiel-Churkin lunch record. https://tommycarstensen.com/epstein/people/peter-thiel.html
[^15]: U.S. Department of Justice, Epstein Library, EFTA02074070, DataSet 10, email from Lesley Groff, "Jeffrey Epstein (Hoffman & Thiel Dinner Party)," August 5, 2015. https://www.justice.gov/epstein/files/DataSet%2010/EFTA02074070.pdf
[^16]: U.S. Department of Justice, Epstein Library, EFTA01052344, DataSet 9, email from Jeffrey Epstein to Peter Thiel, May 21, 2018. https://www.justice.gov/epstein/files/DataSet%209/EFTA01052344.pdf
[^17]: U.S. Department of Justice, Epstein Library, EFTA02634615, DataSet 11, email chain among Tomer Toor, Darren Indyke and Jeffrey Epstein on the exercise of Carbyne warrants by SUM (E.B.) Limited Partnership, funded 66.67 percent by Southern Trust Inc., March 2019; and EFTA02607775, DataSet 11, email from Ehud Barak to Jabor Al Thani, copied to Jeffrey Epstein, January 1, 2019. https://www.justice.gov/epstein/files/DataSet%2011/EFTA02634615.pdf ; https://www.justice.gov/epstein/files/DataSet%2011/EFTA02607775.pdf
[^18]: Email exchange between Jeffrey Epstein and Peter Thiel, September 8 and 9, 2014, EFTA00996779, U.S. Department of Justice, Epstein Library, Data Set 9. https://www.justice.gov/epstein/files/DataSet%209/EFTA00996779.pdf
[^19]: Email from Jeffrey Epstein to Peter Thiel, September 10, 2014, EFTA00362932, U.S. Department of Justice, Epstein Library, Data Set 9. https://www.justice.gov/epstein/files/DataSet%209/EFTA00362932.pdf
[^20]: Email exchange between Peter Thiel and Jeffrey Epstein, September 12, 2014, EFTA00362699, U.S. Department of Justice, Epstein Library, Data Set 9. https://www.justice.gov/epstein/files/DataSet%209/EFTA00362699.pdf
[^21]: Email from Epstein's scheduler to Bob Kerrey, September 2, 2014, EFTA00363673, U.S. Department of Justice, Epstein Library, Data Set 9; reminder email, "Re: Reminder Bob Kerrey," September 12, 2014, EFTA02097598, Data Set 10. https://www.justice.gov/epstein/files/DataSet%209/EFTA00363673.pdf
[^22]: Email from Jeffrey Epstein to Kathryn Ruemmler, September 13, 2014, EFTA02338079, U.S. Department of Justice, Epstein Library, Data Set 11. https://www.justice.gov/epstein/files/DataSet%2011/EFTA02338079.pdf
[^23]: "Exclusive: Tech Billionaire Peter Thiel Was an FBI Informant." *Business Insider,* October 2023. https://www.businessinsider.com/peter-thiel-fbi-informant-charles-johnson-johnathan-buma-chs-genius-2023-10 ; U.S. Congress, House Judiciary Committee, document referencing Thiel's CHS role, January 22, 2026. https://www.congress.gov/119/meeting/house/118881/documents/HHRG-119-JU00-20260122-SD011-U11.pdf
[^24]: "Former FBI Special Agent Arrested for Disclosure of Confidential Information." *DOJ Office of Inspector General,* 2025. https://oig.justice.gov/news/press-release/former-fbi-special-agent-arrested-disclosure-confidential-information ; "FBI whistleblower claims he tried to get to Musk to warn him he was being targeted by Russia." *The Guardian,* May 22, 2025. https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/ng-interactive/2025/may/22/fbi-whistleblower-musk-russia
[^25]: "What We Learned About Clearview AI's Hidden 'Co-Founder.'" *New York Times,* March 18, 2021. https://www.nytimes.com/2021/03/18/technology/clearview-facial-recognition-ai.html ; "Business Partner Sues Chuck Johnson for Falsely Presenting as Intelligence Agent." *Semafor,* October 16, 2024. https://www.semafor.com/article/10/16/2024/business-partner-sues-chuck-johnson-for-falsely-presenting-as-intelligence-agent
[^26]: "Documents reveal how Peter Thiel was granted New Zealand citizenship." *The Guardian,* February 1, 2017. https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2017/feb/01/documents-reveal-how-peter-thiel-was-granted-new-zealand-citizenship ; "New Zealand Is 'the Future,' Peter Thiel Said in His Push for Citizenship." *New York Times,* February 1, 2017. https://www.nytimes.com/2017/02/01/business/peter-thiel-new-zealand-citizenship.html
[^27]: eBay Inc., "eBay Completes PayPal Acquisition," press release, San Jose, October 3, 2002, exhibit 99.1 to PayPal, Inc. Form 8-K filed October 4, 2002. https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1103415/000091205702037693/a2090698zex-99_1.htm
[^4]: eBay Inc., "eBay Completes PayPal Acquisition," press release, San Jose, October 3, 2002, exhibit 99.1 to PayPal, Inc. Form 8-K filed October 4, 2002. https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1103415/000091205702037693/a2090698zex-99_1.htm
[^5]: U.S. Department of Justice, Epstein document release. 2013 Dialog retreat invitation forwarded to Jeffrey Epstein, November 2012. Document D-23831. https://epsteinexposed.com/documents/d-23831
[^6]: "Polymarket raises $45 million from Peter Thiel's Founders Fund, Vitalik Buterin and others," The Block, May 14, 2024. https://www.theblock.co/amp/post/294367/polymarket-raises-45-million-from-peter-thiels-founders-fund-vitalik-buterin-and-others
[^7]: Naga Avan-Nomayo, "Polymarket discloses past funding rounds totaling $205 million before $2 billion ICE investment," The Block, October 8, 2025. https://www.theblock.co/post/373783/polymarket-discloses-past-funding-rounds-totaling-205-million-before-2-billion-ice-investment
[^8]: Reuters, "Trump-linked venture fund 1789 Capital tops US$1 billion in assets," September 8, 2025, as carried by BNN Bloomberg. https://www.bnnbloomberg.ca/business/2025/09/08/trump-linked-venture-fund-1789-capital-tops-us1-billion-in-assets/ ; Form D/A, 1789 Capital Fund I, LP, accession 0001965234-25-000002. https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1965234/000196523425000002/primary_doc.xml
[^9]: Lizette Chapman, "Thiel-Backed 1517 Fund Is Stalking the Next Zuckerberg," Bloomberg Businessweek, December 1, 2016. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-12-01/thiel-s-1517-fund-is-stalking-the-next-zuckerberg
[^10]: Scott Alexander, "Book Review: Paper Belt On Fire," Astral Codex Ten, March 23, 2023. https://www.astralcodexten.com/p/book-review-paper-belt-on-fire
[^11]: "René Girard," *Encyclopædia Britannica.* https://www.britannica.com/biography/Rene-Girard ; "Mimesis, Violence, and Facebook: Peter Thiel's French Connection," *Cyborgology,* August 13, 2016. https://thesocietypages.org/cyborgology/2016/08/13/mimesis-violence-and-facebook-peter-thiels-french-connection-full-essay/ ; Imitatio, "What We Do." http://www.imitatio.org/about-imitatio
[^12]: "What billionaire Peter Thiel said in his private 'Antichrist lectures.'" *Washington Post,* October 10, 2025. https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2025/10/10/peter-thiel-antichrist-lectures-leaked/ ; "Peter Thiel Thinks the Antichrist Is 'Someone Like' This AI Doomer That He Funded." *Gizmodo,* October 2025. https://gizmodo.com/peter-thiel-thinks-the-antichrist-is-someone-like-this-ai-doomer-that-he-funded-2000671027
[^13]: Hagey, Keach. *The Optimist: Sam Altman, OpenAI, and the Race to Invent the Future.* W. W. Norton, 2025, on Thiel funding the Singularity Institute from 2005 and cofounding the 2006 Singularity Summit; cumulative donations cross-referenced against the MIRI donation timeline at timelines.issarice.com.
[^14]: "Disrupting the White House: Peter Thiel's Influence is Shaping the National Security Council." *Just Security.* https://www.justsecurity.org/37466/disrupting-white-house-peter-thiels-influence-shaping-national-security-council/ ; "Peter Thiel: I won't take a job with Trump's administration." *Politico,* January 2017. https://www.politico.com/story/2017/01/peter-thiel-no-job-trump-administration-233523 ; "Inside Trump's shadow national security council." *Washington Post,* January 19, 2017. https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/josh-rogin/wp/2017/01/19/inside-trumps-shadow-national-security-council/
[^15]: "Peter Thiel Is Latest Billionaire Said to Have Met With Jeffrey Epstein." *New York Times,* May 18, 2023. https://www.nytimes.com/2023/05/18/business/jeffrey-epstein-peter-thiel.html
[^16]: "Jeffrey Epstein Encouraged Peter Thiel's Political Journey." *Jacobin,* April 2026. https://jacobin.com/2026/04/epstein-thiel-tech-finance-trump ; "What Peter Thiel Saw in Jeffrey Epstein." *The Nation,* 2026. https://www.thenation.com/?post_type=article&p=586795
[^17]: Tommy Carstensen Epstein Files index, "Peter Thiel," cross-referencing the Epstein Files Transparency Act (EFTA) document releases, including EFTA01738574 (Feb 6, 2016 "secret society" email), EFTA00344556 and EFTA00344564 (2015 dinner guest list), and the Thiel-Churkin lunch record. https://tommycarstensen.com/epstein/people/peter-thiel.html
[^18]: U.S. Department of Justice, Epstein Library, EFTA02074070, DataSet 10, email from Lesley Groff, "Jeffrey Epstein (Hoffman & Thiel Dinner Party)," August 5, 2015. https://www.justice.gov/epstein/files/DataSet%2010/EFTA02074070.pdf
[^19]: U.S. Department of Justice, Epstein Library, EFTA01052344, DataSet 9, email from Jeffrey Epstein to Peter Thiel, May 21, 2018. https://www.justice.gov/epstein/files/DataSet%209/EFTA01052344.pdf
[^20]: U.S. Department of Justice, Epstein Library, EFTA02634615, DataSet 11, email chain among Tomer Toor, Darren Indyke and Jeffrey Epstein on the exercise of Carbyne warrants by SUM (E.B.) Limited Partnership, funded 66.67 percent by Southern Trust Inc., March 2019; and EFTA02607775, DataSet 11, email from Ehud Barak to Jabor Al Thani, copied to Jeffrey Epstein, January 1, 2019. https://www.justice.gov/epstein/files/DataSet%2011/EFTA02634615.pdf ; https://www.justice.gov/epstein/files/DataSet%2011/EFTA02607775.pdf
[^21]: Email exchange between Jeffrey Epstein and Peter Thiel, September 8 and 9, 2014, EFTA00996779, U.S. Department of Justice, Epstein Library, Data Set 9. https://www.justice.gov/epstein/files/DataSet%209/EFTA00996779.pdf
[^22]: Email from Jeffrey Epstein to Peter Thiel, September 10, 2014, EFTA00362932, U.S. Department of Justice, Epstein Library, Data Set 9. https://www.justice.gov/epstein/files/DataSet%209/EFTA00362932.pdf
[^23]: Email exchange between Peter Thiel and Jeffrey Epstein, September 12, 2014, EFTA00362699, U.S. Department of Justice, Epstein Library, Data Set 9. https://www.justice.gov/epstein/files/DataSet%209/EFTA00362699.pdf
[^24]: Email from Epstein's scheduler to Bob Kerrey, September 2, 2014, EFTA00363673, U.S. Department of Justice, Epstein Library, Data Set 9; reminder email, "Re: Reminder Bob Kerrey," September 12, 2014, EFTA02097598, Data Set 10. https://www.justice.gov/epstein/files/DataSet%209/EFTA00363673.pdf
[^25]: Email from Jeffrey Epstein to Kathryn Ruemmler, September 13, 2014, EFTA02338079, U.S. Department of Justice, Epstein Library, Data Set 11. https://www.justice.gov/epstein/files/DataSet%2011/EFTA02338079.pdf
[^26]: "Exclusive: Tech Billionaire Peter Thiel Was an FBI Informant." *Business Insider,* October 2023. https://www.businessinsider.com/peter-thiel-fbi-informant-charles-johnson-johnathan-buma-chs-genius-2023-10 ; U.S. Congress, House Judiciary Committee, document referencing Thiel's CHS role, January 22, 2026. https://www.congress.gov/119/meeting/house/118881/documents/HHRG-119-JU00-20260122-SD011-U11.pdf
[^27]: "Former FBI Special Agent Arrested for Disclosure of Confidential Information." *DOJ Office of Inspector General,* 2025. https://oig.justice.gov/news/press-release/former-fbi-special-agent-arrested-disclosure-confidential-information ; "FBI whistleblower claims he tried to get to Musk to warn him he was being targeted by Russia." *The Guardian,* May 22, 2025. https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/ng-interactive/2025/may/22/fbi-whistleblower-musk-russia
[^28]: "What We Learned About Clearview AI's Hidden 'Co-Founder.'" *New York Times,* March 18, 2021. https://www.nytimes.com/2021/03/18/technology/clearview-facial-recognition-ai.html ; "Business Partner Sues Chuck Johnson for Falsely Presenting as Intelligence Agent." *Semafor,* October 16, 2024. https://www.semafor.com/article/10/16/2024/business-partner-sues-chuck-johnson-for-falsely-presenting-as-intelligence-agent
[^29]: "Documents reveal how Peter Thiel was granted New Zealand citizenship." *The Guardian,* February 1, 2017. https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2017/feb/01/documents-reveal-how-peter-thiel-was-granted-new-zealand-citizenship ; "New Zealand Is 'the Future,' Peter Thiel Said in His Push for Citizenship." *New York Times,* February 1, 2017. https://www.nytimes.com/2017/02/01/business/peter-thiel-new-zealand-citizenship.html