Peter Thiel

Peter Thiel is a German-American entrepreneur and investor who co-founded PayPal, served as Facebook's first outside investor, and co-founded Palantir Technologies and the venture capital firm Founders Fund. The Epstein archive documents an extensive correspondence with Jeffrey Epstein spanning from 2014 to 2019, totaling 2,436 emails across 1,345 threads. The relationship included multiple in-person meetings at Epstein's Manhattan townhouse, regular discussions about technology investments and political matters, and a $40 million investment by Epstein in Thiel's venture capital firm Valar Ventures in 2015-2016.

The correspondence began in 2014, years after Epstein's 2008 conviction for soliciting prostitution from a minor. Thiel and Epstein discussed investment opportunities including Palantir and various technology startups, coordinated meetings with mutual contacts including former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak and Russian diplomat Vitaly Churkin, and exchanged views on topics ranging from technology trends to geopolitics. As of 2025, Epstein's investment in Valar has grown to nearly $170 million, making it one of the estate's most valuable holdings.

Background#

Peter Andreas Thiel was born in Frankfurt, West Germany on October 11, 1967. His family emigrated to the United States when he was one year old. He studied philosophy at Stanford University (B.A., 1989) and later earned a J.D. from Stanford Law School in 1992. While at Stanford, Thiel co-founded the conservative student publication the Stanford Review.

In 1998, Thiel co-founded PayPal with Max Levchin and others, serving as CEO until the company was sold to eBay in 2002 for $1.5 billion. In 2004, he made the first outside investment in Facebook for $500,000, which would generate over $1 billion in returns. That same year, he co-founded Palantir Technologies, a data analysis company that works extensively with government agencies and intelligence services, where he serves as chairman. In 2005, he co-founded Founders Fund, a Silicon Valley venture capital firm that has funded companies including SpaceX, Airbnb, and Spotify.

Thiel is known for his libertarian political views and became a prominent supporter of Donald Trump during the 2016 presidential campaign, speaking at the Republican National Convention and donating to Trump's campaign. His relationship with Epstein has been the subject of significant media reporting since documents from the DOJ investigation were released, revealing meetings between 2014 and 2019 despite Epstein's criminal record.

Correspondence with Epstein#

The archive contains 2,436 emails exchanged between Thiel and Epstein from October 2012 to March 2019, with the bulk of correspondence occurring between 2014 and 2019. The relationship appears to have been initiated through mutual contacts in Silicon Valley and tech investment circles.

Investment Relationship and Valar Ventures

In November 2014, Thiel introduced Epstein to his venture capital firm Valar Ventures. Thiel wrote: "I think it would be worthwhile for you to meet with Andrew and James, two guys that are scouring the world for me to look for terrific early-stage VC investments... It would make sense for you to put in $10-20MM here". Andrew McCormack and James Fitzgerald, the Valar partners, subsequently sent Epstein their fundraising deck.

In December 2014, Thiel explicitly recommended the investment: "You should definitely invest in Valar. I'd recommend something like $10-20MM". Epstein ultimately invested $40 million in Valar Ventures across two funds in 2015 and 2016. A June 2016 update to Valar limited partners announced Fund 3's final closing with $104 million in total commitments, including $30 million from Thiel himself. As of 2025, this investment has grown to nearly $170 million, making it one of the most valuable holdings in Epstein's estate.

In July 2017, Epstein contacted Thiel: "i wanted to talk about valar when you get a momt", indicating ongoing discussions about the investment relationship.

Technology Discussions and Intellectual Exchange

The correspondence reveals regular exchanges on technology trends and investment opportunities. In January 2019, Epstein asked Thiel: "what are you seeing that's exciting. . rejuvenation? plant biology? , quantum computing?". Thiel shared views on geopolitics, writing in January 2019: "Haven't gone to Davis since 2013... the era of globalization is just over", referring to the World Economic Forum in Davos.

In March 2015, Epstein wrote: "great chomsky stories when you get a chance", suggesting they had discussed linguist Noam Chomsky. The two coordinated potential meetings with Chomsky, with Epstein writing in August 2017: "Chomsky tues or wed".

Political Matters and the 2016 Trump Campaign

During the 2016 presidential campaign, Thiel and Epstein discussed Thiel's controversial support for Donald Trump. In October 2016, after Thiel gave a speech defending his support for Trump, Epstein wrote: "i loved the speech, and its delive=y. what was the crowd reaction.?". Thiel responded: "Hard to tell (all media people) -- but far from as hostile as I feared".

In August 2017, Epstein sent Thiel an article about Trump campaign controversies with a note: "read the buzz feed article. Careful, ! you asked me before nov 8 did i think you had made a mistake and said defintely not".

Ehud Barak and Israeli Tech Investments

Thiel served as a bridge between Epstein and Ehud Barak, the former Israeli Prime Minister. In February 2016, Barak wrote to Nicole Junkermann about a meeting: "On 1pm we have there a meeting with two guys we'd never met, who are seniors in a new Investment Fund owned by Peter Thiel and JE", referring to Valar Ventures representatives. The meeting concerned Reporty (later renamed Carbyne), a technology startup Barak was promoting.

Epstein repeatedly sought Thiel's feedback on Reporty. In December 2014, Epstein forwarded Barak's pitch to Thiel: "a video version of 911. seems ripe =. but not my skill set thoughts". In February 2016, Epstein followed up: "any feedback from the valor guys re ehud baraks co=C2 - called reporty?", and again later that month: "no rush, did you get any feedback on the=valor guys view of ehud baraks co.?".

In May 2017, Epstein facilitated connections between Thiel and Barak, writing: "Ehud , my great friend peter will be visiting Israel June 12-15 . I thinks =ou would both enjoy each others company". When Thiel traveled to Israel, Epstein advised: "In israel you might want to see Ehud Barak". In 2018, Epstein notified Thiel: "FYI trae is meeting carbyne Ehud Barak co", referring to Trae Stephens of Thiel's Founders Fund.

Meetings with Russian Diplomat Vitaly Churkin

One of the most notable documented meetings involved Vitaly Churkin, Russia's Ambassador to the United Nations until his death in February 2017. In October 2016, Epstein wrote to Thiel: "will need to schedule churkin". On October 5, 2016, Epstein's assistant Lesley Groff sent a staff memo: "Jeffrey has an important lunch on Friday with Peter Thiel and Vitaly Churkin. I will get back to you with timing but probably 12:30 ish". Epstein's October 7, 2016 schedule confirmed: ["12:30pm LUNCH w/Peter Thiel and Vitaly Churkin"].

Connections#

Thiel's most significant documented connection in the archive was to Epstein himself, with whom he corresponded 2,178 times. Other key connections include:

Ehud Barak: Former Israeli Prime Minister whom Thiel met through Epstein. The archive documents coordination of meetings and investment discussions involving Barak's technology ventures, particularly Reporty/Carbyne.

Lesley Groff: Epstein's longtime assistant, who coordinated 42 emails involving Thiel's meetings and visits to Epstein's properties.

Joi Ito: MIT Media Lab director who appeared in 2 shared emails with Thiel, including a June 2014 dinner at Epstein's townhouse where Epstein mentioned: "peter thiel came last night, fun".

Reid Hoffman: LinkedIn co-founder and venture capitalist who appeared in 2 shared emails, discussed in connection with cryptocurrency investments.

Andrew McCormack and James Fitzgerald: Valar Ventures partners whom Thiel introduced to Epstein for the Valar investment. Both appeared in correspondence coordinating the deal and providing updates to limited partners.

Vitaly Churkin: Late Russian Ambassador to the UN who attended at least one documented lunch with Thiel and Epstein in October 2016.

Document References#

Thiel appears in numerous DOJ documents that illuminate the scope and nature of his relationship with Epstein. The archive includes email PDFs showing regular exchanges about investments, with Thiel introducing Epstein to Valar Ventures investment opportunities and Epstein ultimately committing $40 million. Fund updates to limited partners document Epstein's role as a major investor in Valar Global Fund 3. Valar Ventures marketing materials sent to Epstein detail the firm's investment strategy and portfolio performance, showing Fund 1 achieving a 3.1x gross multiple and investments in companies like Transferwise and Xero.

The documents reveal Thiel's involvement in facilitating connections between Epstein and other high-profile figures. Email threads show Thiel coordinating potential meetings between Epstein and Ehud Barak, with discussions about Israeli technology companies. Schedule documents prepared by Epstein's staff confirm a lunch meeting between Thiel, Epstein, and Russian Ambassador Vitaly Churkin in October 2016. Communication regarding Trump campaign matters appears in multiple threads during the 2016 election period.

DOJ documents also capture logistical coordination through Epstein's assistants. Staff memos announced "important" meetings with Thiel requiring meal preparation. Schedule updates listed Thiel among people Epstein wanted to see during specific periods. Correspondence about dietary restrictions and meeting logistics shows the operational details of maintaining the relationship. In one 2014 email, an associate wrote to Epstein: "he's a founder of paypal. And Max Levchin. but I don't know these guys... we'd need an introduction," suggesting the initial connection was being explored.

Visits to Epstein Properties#

Manhattan Townhouse

The archive documents multiple visits and meetings at Epstein's residence at 9 East 71st Street in New York:

1. June 9, 2014 - Dinner scheduled, with Thiel asking if he "may bring a guest"
2. June 22, 2015 - Lunch at 2pm, menu including sushi or steak
3. September 13 or 14, 2014 - Lunch with Bill Burns and possibly Bob Kerrey
4. October 7, 2016 - "12:30pm LUNCH w/Peter Thiel and Vitaly Churkin"
5. November 2, 2015 - Thiel declined, writing it "will be hard to get to your place be=ween meetings"

Epstein's September 2014 "People To See" list included Thiel among figures like Bill Gates, Larry Summers, and Leon Black.

New Mexico Ranch

In December 2014, Epstein invited Thiel to his New Mexico ranch: "if i go t= my ranch next week in new mexico . want to visit?". In February 2016, Epstein extended another invitation: "im in new mexico 3 and 4th if you would like t= visit". There is no confirmation in the archive of completed visits.

Little St. James Island

In October 2016, Epstein asked Thiel: "dec island?", apparently inviting him to Little St. James in December. Thiel responded: "Not yet sure on Dec – so far in the future!". In late February 2016, Epstein mentioned: "then island, =o if you want to come around the world going west. come to the islan=". No confirmed visits to the island are documented in the archive.

Other Locations

In January 2019, Epstein mentioned traveling to "new york, caribean , europe late in month" in exchanges about meeting up. In September 2018, when Epstein asked if Thiel was in New York, Thiel replied he was "Avoiding the zoo". The correspondence includes multiple casual check-ins about locations: "Ny ?or Miami", "new york?", "are you in europe?".