Thiel Says Iran War Was a Mistake, Still Backs Trump
Peter Thiel said the U.S. war with Iran was a mistake, according to audio of an Oct. 12 private lecture. "I'm skeptical of [the war], I think we should not have done it," Thiel said.
- Thiel added, "There were a lot of mistakes that were made."
- He said the U.S. may lack hard power and could lose on soft power.
- He still voiced support for Trump and suggested he wants to protect him.
- He also warned about what he called the International Criminal Court's unchecked power.
Why it matters: Thiel has been one of Trump's most prominent financial allies since 2016. His break comes less than two weeks before midterms that will decide control of Congress.
- 2022: Thiel was the top funder of super PACs backing JD Vance's Senate run.
- POLITICO reported in March that Vance was skeptical of striking Iran before the war.
How 7 sources split on this story
Where they split: Outlets agree on the facts but differ on emphasis: some headline Thiel's break with Trump, others his continued loyalty to him.
Center coverage, 1 sources: The center frames the story as a major Republican donor breaking with Trump on a defining foreign policy decision.
Left coverage, 4 sources: The left frames the story as a top Trump backer rebuking the president's war, with some outlets noting he still supports Trump.
What’s next: POLITICO plans to publish more of Thiel's lecture remarks, including on Israel and 2028.
- Representatives for Thiel and the White House did not respond to requests for comment.
- Will Thiel's criticism affect his political giving before the midterms?
- Do other prominent Trump donors share Thiel's concerns about the war?
