Tech

Peter Thiel To Donate Millions In Donald Trump's Political Campaign, What's The Catch?

Jarold
First Posted: Oct 17, 2016 05:10 AM EDT

Silicon Valley billionaire investor Peter Thiel is doubling down on Donald J. Trump by donating more than $1 million for Trump's campaign. Mr. Thiel, being the sole prominent supporter of the Republican candidate from the high-tech community, is making his first contribution to support Mr. Trump's presidential campaign. According to a certain investor, the $1.25 million donation will be given through a combination of funds that are directly given to the campaign, and super PAC donations.


The said donation will certainly put Mr. Thiel on top of the very short list of Trump's big contributors. Another notable donor of Trump is Robert Mercer from the hedge fund Renaissance Technologies. According to the Center for Responsive Politics, both Robert and his daughter Rebekah Mercer have already given $15.5 million in support of the Republican candidate's election. On the other hand, a developer from Los Angeles with the name of Geoffrey Palmer had also donated $2 million to Trump's campaign.

Mr. Thiel, now 49, came to the US as an emigrant from Germany. His parents' decision of moving to the US seem to be the greatest choice they've made. As Thiel is now very successful in the high-tech world. He was one of the co-founders of an online payment platform called PayPal, and Palantir, a product that focuses on pattern finding sowftware.

In his statement, Mr. Thiel said "wages are flat across the country. Americans are paid less today compared from 10 years ago." He also tackled the very disturbing situation of the Healthcare system and increasing college tuition costs. "Wall Street bankers are inflating anything from government bonds to Hillary Clinton's speaking fees." He stressed out that the current economy is broken.

Aside from the political fuzz, it was also the first a Republican convention speaker talking about their sexuality. He was noted saying he was "proud to be gay." A blog owned by Gawker Media had identified Mr. Thiel as gay nine years ago.

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