The PayPal Mafia's Political Coup: How Peter Thiel and Elon Musk Hijacked American Populism

A deep investigative exposé into how PayPal billionaires Peter Thiel and Elon Musk strategically reshaped American populism and politics through their influence over J.D. Vance and Donald Trump.

Before diving into the unprecedented political influence wielded by Peter Thiel and Elon Musk, it’s essential to understand their origins: both billionaires emerged from the "PayPal Mafia," an informal but immensely influential network of tech entrepreneurs who first collaborated at the digital payment giant PayPal. Members of this group—particularly Thiel and Musk—have profoundly reshaped the American economic and political landscape. Today, their influence reaches a dramatic apex, positioning them as primary influencers behind President Donald Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance. What follows is a meticulous exploration of how two of PayPal's most iconic alumni leveraged their financial clout, media power, and strategic alliances to engineer what can best be described as a modern political coup—reshaping American populism, policy, and society to serve their own elite interests.

Central Figures and Networks

Few individuals have so brazenly bridged the worlds of Silicon Valley and Ameri…