Peter Thiel’s Deep Ties to Trump’s Top Ranks
By Sophie Alexander and Jamie Tarabay
March 7, 2025 at 5:00 AM CST
Updated on March 12, 2025 at 12:55 PM CDT
Snip
Musk and Thiel have been intertwined since the early days of PayPal, which Thiel helped found and where Musk briefly served as CEO. Since then, Musk, who leads Tesla Inc., SpaceX and other companies, has become the world’s richest person, while Thiel has built a multifaceted empire ranging from software firm Palantir Technologies Inc. to investment offices with stakes in top Silicon Valley startups.
The early bonds between the billionaires have persisted, and others in their orbit have gained power and influence. The so-called PayPal Mafia — a group of Silicon Valley stars with links to the payments app's formative period — has become integral to the second Trump administration. The men — they’re all men — have overlapping business interests and have been outspoken about the importance of US tech dominance.
Thiel is an investor in several of Musk’s companies, including SpaceX, Neuralink and Boring Co., while Musk’s new DOGE effort has borrowed from the Thiel brain trust, recruiting staffers specifically from his world of philanthropy and business.
Snip
More
Article also has an impressive listing of folks with ties to Musk and Thiel.
Plus
Musk began Trump apology effort after call with Vance, Wiles
Elon Musk's early morning tweet Wednesday saying he regretted going "too far" in criticizing President Trump came after a private phone call with White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles and Vice President Vance last Friday, sources tell Axios.
Why it matters: The call — confirmed by three people familiar with the discussion — signaled an effort by Musk to cool tensions with Trump after a week in which they'd feuded on social media, particularly over Musk's objections to Trump's signature tax and budget bill in Congress.
Zoom in: Friday's call began as a one-on-one discussion between Musk and Wiles, who then added Vance to the conversation, the sources said.
Vance is a close Musk ally — Musk was one of those who encouraged Trump to pick Vance as the GOP vice presidential nominee during the 2024 campaign. Vance essentially was caught in the middle of the Trump-Musk fight.
Snip
More
What is the quid pro quo and how does it help Trump?
Hmm
Don’t do it Elon! Release the flying monkeys and tell us what you have on Donnie boy! 😬
= new reply since forum marked as read