A revealing new biography, "The Contrarian" by journalist Max Chafkin, paints an unsettling portrait of tech billionaire Peter Thiel as a powerful behind-the-scenes force shaping both Silicon Valley and American politics.
The PayPal co-founder and early Facebook investor, known for bankrupting Gawker Media through secret litigation funding, emerges in the biography as far more than just another wealthy tech entrepreneur. According to Chafkin, Thiel's influence extends deep into the worlds of technology, media, and conservative politics - guided by an ideology that the author describes as "bordering on fascism."
The book details how Thiel's early libertarian vision helped birth both PayPal and the current cryptocurrency movement, driven by a desire to reduce government power over financial systems. His early backing of Facebook helped install Mark Zuckerberg as what Chafkin calls an "imperial CEO" with unprecedented global influence.
More concerning to the author is Thiel's apparent hostility toward democratic institutions. Chafkin points to Thiel's Stanford teachings and writings that promote the idea of companies being better run than governments because they have "a single decision maker - a dictator, basically."
The biography also explores Thiel's growing political influence, including his early support of Donald Trump and current funding of Senate candidates like J.D. Vance and Blake Masters. His estimated $6 billion net worth, possibly higher due to sophisticated tax avoidance strategies, provides ample resources for shaping policy.
While some view Thiel as an outlier in supposedly liberal Silicon Valley, Chafkin argues his worldview - particularly skepticism of democracy and support for unfettered corporate power - reflects broader tech industry attitudes, even among ostensibly progressive leaders.
The author acknowledges feeling some trepidation in scrutinizing such a powerful figure, given Thiel's history of aggressive litigation against media outlets. But he maintains that understanding Thiel's ideology and influence is critical as tech companies increasingly dominate global economics and culture.
Through extensive reporting, including numerous anonymous sources who expressed fear of retaliation, "The Contrarian" suggests Thiel represents something larger than individual success - a philosophy that could reshape society in potentially dangerous ways if left unchecked.
As Thiel continues expanding his reach through political donations and corporate influence, the biography argues his combination of anti-democratic ideology and billionaire resources demands serious attention from anyone concerned about the future of democratic institutions.