Peter Thiel

Peter Thiel's covert funding of the Hulk Hogan lawsuit against Gawker—which forced the media outlet into bankruptcy—remains his most audacious act, driven by a personal vendetta that cost him over $10 million. This ruthless, ideological approach to power exceeds the political maneuvers of #6 Travis Kalanick by targeting media freedom itself, rather than merely regulatory defiance. As a PayPal co-founder and Palantir chairman, Thiel champions a contrarian libertarian worldview that has backed controversial political candidates, including Donald Trump in 2016. His actions have polarized Silicon Valley, with critics accusing him of undermining free press while supporters celebrate his strategic precision. Thiel's influence persists through Palantir's government contracts, valued at over $2 billion annually, solidifying his role as a shadowy power broker.