Wednesday 23 April 2025 05:21 GMT

Peter Thiel possesses great effect on Trump government


(MENAFN) Tech billionaire Peter Thiel has a substantial influence on US President Donald Trump’s administration, according to a report by Bloomberg. Unlike Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk, Thiel prefers to operate behind the scenes rather than publicly.

The report, published Friday, claims that over a dozen individuals linked to Thiel—through his companies, investments, or philanthropy—have secured positions within the Trump administration. This includes both current and former employees of his ventures, as well as those who have managed his wealth.

Among the 15 officials identified as being connected to Thiel, five are reportedly serving in the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), a Musk-led agency focused on reducing government bureaucracy. Notable figures with ties to the billionaire include Vice President J.D. Vance and AI and cryptocurrency policy chief David Sacks.

According to Bloomberg, Vance previously worked at Thiel’s investment firm, Mithril Capital, and was mentored and financially backed by the entrepreneur. Thiel also reportedly played a key role in helping Vance align with Trump in 2021, despite the former senator’s earlier criticisms of the Republican leader. Sacks, another longtime associate of Thiel, co-founded PayPal alongside him.

Although Thiel, 57, does not hold an official government position, Bloomberg cited Boston University professor Quinn Slobodian, who described the level of influence exerted by major tech figures on the Trump administration as “unprecedented in the modern era.” Slobodian suggested that rather than seeking financial gain through government contracts, these figures are more focused on reshaping the structure and function of the federal government.

The report also highlighted Thiel’s longstanding relationship with Musk, who has been leading efforts to curb government waste and inefficiency under Trump.

Meanwhile, The New York Times reported on Friday that tensions had recently surfaced between Musk and other members of Trump’s administration. According to the outlet, Musk clashed with Secretary of State Marco Rubio during a White House cabinet meeting, allegedly criticizing him over insufficient staffing cuts. Trump, however, dismissed the claim, stating that Musk and Rubio “get along great” and are both doing “a fantastic job.”

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