Peter Thiel Ends Political Hiatus, Donates Hundreds of Thousands to GOP Campaigns

Peter Thiel, a conservative tech billionaire and PayPal cofounder, has resumed political spending after a two-and-a-half-year hiatus. He has contributed $852,200 to House Speaker Mike Johnson's joint fundraising committee, which distributed most of the money to other campaigns. Thiel's contributions have also gone to the Republican National Committee, House Republicans' main campaign arm, state parties, and nearly 30 GOP House members. Thiel previously declined to spend money to elect Trump in the 2024 election, citing disillusionment with politics.

Peter Thiel, a prominent conservative tech billionaire and PayPal cofounder, has resumed political spending after a hiatus of two-and-a-half years. Thiel, who previously declined to spend money to elect Trump in the 2024 election due to disillusionment with politics, has now contributed $852,200 to House Speaker Mike Johnson's joint fundraising committee, Grow the Majority [1]. The committee then distributed most of the funds to other campaigns, with a significant portion going to the Republican National Committee and House Republicans' main campaign arm.

Thiel's contributions have also gone to state parties and nearly 30 GOP House members, including Reps. Brian Fitzpatrick in Pennsylvania, Don Bacon in Nebraska, Young Kim in California, and Derek Van Orden in Wisconsin. This renewed spending comes as the stock price of Palantir, the company Thiel founded and still owns, soars, with the firm raking in profits from contracts awarded by the Trump administration [2].

The 2026 midterm elections are shaping up to be pivotal for Republicans, who currently hold a narrow majority in the House. Thiel's contributions are part of a broader effort by wealthy donors and corporations to influence the election and maintain Republican control. This year, super PACs have reported a total of $17.7 million in independent expenditures on the 8th District race in 2022 and another $29.5 million in 2024 [1].

Thiel's political aims are high-minded, though somewhat unconventional. He has expressed concern about government regulation and the rise of a "one-world totalitarian state" that would exploit popular concerns over climate change and nuclear war. He has also spoken about the threat posed by the coming of a "woke Antichrist," potentially in the form of environmental activist Greta Thunberg [2].

While Thiel's political views and spending are controversial, his contributions to the 2026 midterm cycle may augur more to come for Republican lawmakers. His support could help maintain the party's majority in the House, which is a key priority for many of his fellow donors.

References:
[1] https://coloradonewsline.com/2025/07/21/early-fundraising-colorado-8th-district/
[2] https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2025/07/peter-thiel-republican-donations-palantir-federal-contracts-house-control-trump/