From VC to VP: How Thiel-verse exert its influence on Trump 2.0 admin

Abstract

Trump 2.0’s MAGA is a coalition formed between the nationalists and the globalist tech firms. While this uneasy joint force of both sides put Trump into power, sharp division between these two factions is a huge factor influencing Trump’s policy. Despite the broader chaos brought by Trump’s presidency, his technology policy remained relatively consistent, largely characterized by a hands-off approach that delegate Silicon Valley leaders the power to make decisions in their own industry. Therefore, this paper aims to distinguish Peter Thiel’s influence as one of the core figures with Silicon Valley background through the lens of investigative journalism. Thiel’s investment portfolio is deeply embedded in the high-tech sectors of defense and military-industrial infrastructure through firms such as Palantir, Clearview AI, and Anduril granting him long-term institutional influence. The looming future of AI-tocracy where technological elites hold disproportionate sway over governance has already come into preliminary existence in America and it is going to last for a long period of time.