Everybody keeps asking what the PayPal Mafia is up to, as if these guys ever went quiet. They didn’t. They just scattered into every corner of tech, politics, finance, crypto, space, and whatever new humanity-ending tech Silicon Valley spits out. And since we’re all living in this crazy timeline where tech bros seem determined to […]Everybody keeps asking what the PayPal Mafia is up to, as if these guys ever went quiet. They didn’t. They just scattered into every corner of tech, politics, finance, crypto, space, and whatever new humanity-ending tech Silicon Valley spits out. And since we’re all living in this crazy timeline where tech bros seem determined to […]

Musk, Thiel and Sacks emerge as power centers in Washington

2025/11/20 00:51
5 min read

Everybody keeps asking what the PayPal Mafia is up to, as if these guys ever went quiet. They didn’t.

They just scattered into every corner of tech, politics, finance, crypto, space, and whatever new humanity-ending tech Silicon Valley spits out.

And since we’re all living in this crazy timeline where tech bros seem determined to be in charge of humanity’s future, it feels like the right time to point out that the crew that once fought to keep PayPal alive now sits right in the middle of the world’s power grid.

And yes, as someone who writes about Elon Musk, Peter Thiel, and Dave Sacks, I admit: I watch them the way some people watch sports.

Some might even call it an obsession.

But I mean, these guys turned Silicon Valley into their gym, pushing out companies like LinkedIn, Palantir, SpaceX, Affirm, YouTube, Yelp, Kiva, Glow, Slide, and Yammer.

These guys came from places like Stanford and the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, and they carried that same student-dorm energy into one of the wildest corporate survival fights ever.

Tracking how Thiel, Musk, and their glue Sacks push power

From the very beginning, Peter Thiel was crowned “don” of the PayPal Mafia, and it stuck because Peter just leans into it, since, you know… he’s Peter.

He ran PayPal, seeded Facebook, built Founders Fund, and chairs Palantir, which in 2025 teamed up with DOGE, the new Department of Government Efficiency run by Elon Musk inside the Trump administration, though the real partner was actually the Pentagon, but that’s a different story.

Moving on, Peter also pushed US$15 million into Protect Ohio Values, the fund that helped JD Vance climb into the Senate in 2022. JD has said Peter’s talk at Yale Law was “the most significant moment” of his time there.

Then there’s Elon Musk, the infamously eccentric billionaire who merged X.com with Confinity to create PayPal and then turned himself into a global headline generator. Elon owns SpaceX, runs Neuralink, keeps building The Boring Company, and still [unofficially] leads X after buying Twitter.

As of press time, Elon sits on a $500 billion net worth. He became Trump’s senior advisor, then the head of DOGE, and he personally donated over $250 million to Trump’s return campaign.

Elon and Peter hated each other at PayPal, it is known. That never changed. Back in ‘02, Elon said Peter schemed to push him out, and Peter never denied it.

But then again, Peter never denies accusations of him being awful, or sometimes even downright evil. Even when asked by reporters point-blank, he is known to either shrug it off or just laugh.

Still, somehow Dave Sacks remains close friends with both Elon and Peter, constantly running emotional support behind the scenes in a way that is as confusing as it is fascinating.

Dave was PayPal’s COO, and he now advises Trump on AI and crypto. David founded Geni.com, created Yammer, and built deep ties across the Valley. He’s the only person from the team who can still text both Elon and Peter without starting a civil war.

Tracking everyone else and the empire they built

Meanwhile, Max Levchin left PayPal and started Affirm while co-founding Glow. Scott Banister advised the early team and stayed involved in the Valley’s startup pipeline. Roelof Botha became a giant at Sequoia Capital. Steve Chen, Chad Hurley, and Jawed Karim left PayPal and invented YouTube, because of course they did.

Reid Hoffman built LinkedIn, invested in Facebook and Aviary, and now sits on Microsoft’s board while funding major Democratic campaigns. Ken Howery worked at Founders Fund and served as ambassador to Sweden under Trump’s earlier administration.

Eric Jackson wrote The PayPal Wars and went on to run WND Books and co-create CapLinked. Dave McClure left PayPal’s marketing side and became a super-angel through 500 Global. Luke Nosek, one of the original founders, later joined Founders Fund as well.

Keith Rabois jumped around LinkedIn, Square, Khosla Ventures, and Founders Fund. Jack Selby co-started Clarium Capital with Peter and now pushes investment across Arizona with AZ-VC. Premal Shah helped set up Kiva.org and sits on the Change.org board.

Russel Simmons and Jeremy Stoppelman created Yelp after leaving PayPal. Yishan Wong went from PayPal to Facebook, became Reddit’s CEO, and then started Terraformation. Yu Pan designed the early PayPal UI, helped build YouTube, and co-founded Kiwi Crate.

This network gets credited with reviving consumer tech after the 2001 dot-com crash. Their rise compares to the engineers who built Fairchild and later Intel back in the 1960s.

Tracking their political split

Peter, David, and Elon leaned right over the years, shaping libertarian and conservative ideas in public and inside Trump’s White House. Reid Hoffman landed on the opposite end, funding top Democratic efforts.

After Trump won in 2024, The Economist wrote that the PayPal Mafia would “take over America’s government.” It wasn’t far off. JD Vance became Vice President. Elon took DOGE. David stepped in as Trump’s crypto and AI advisor. Peter kept shaping the movement from the outside with networks, money, and ideology.

The New York Times recently called Peter “the most influential right-wing intellectual of the last 20 years.” His ideas pushed a generation of political newcomers. JD Vance began echoing Peter long before entering office.

The tension between Elon and Peter is real and old. Peter never apologized. Their teams joke about it. Their friends avoid the topic. But David, somehow, stayed close to both.

And in one of the strangest political side stories of this timeline, JD Vance himself repaired the Trump-Elon relationship after that very messy public breakup.

Yet somehow, after all the betrayals, near-collapses, and takeover attempts, the PayPal Mafia still acts like distant cousins who cannot quit each other.

Market Opportunity
Everscale Logo
Everscale Price(EVER)
$0.00468
$0.00468$0.00468
+2.63%
USD
Everscale (EVER) Live Price Chart
Disclaimer: The articles reposted on this site are sourced from public platforms and are provided for informational purposes only. They do not necessarily reflect the views of MEXC. All rights remain with the original authors. If you believe any content infringes on third-party rights, please contact service@support.mexc.com for removal. MEXC makes no guarantees regarding the accuracy, completeness, or timeliness of the content and is not responsible for any actions taken based on the information provided. The content does not constitute financial, legal, or other professional advice, nor should it be considered a recommendation or endorsement by MEXC.
Tags:

You May Also Like

HitPaw API is Integrated by Comfy for Professional Image and Video Enhancement to Global Creators

HitPaw API is Integrated by Comfy for Professional Image and Video Enhancement to Global Creators

SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. 7, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — HitPaw, a leader in AI-powered visual enhancement solutions, announced Comfy, a global content creation platform, is
Share
AI Journal2026/02/08 09:15
Journalist gives brutal review of Melania movie: 'Not a single person in the theater'

Journalist gives brutal review of Melania movie: 'Not a single person in the theater'

A Journalist gave a brutal review of the new Melania documentary, which has been criticized by those who say it won't make back the huge fees spent to make it,
Share
Rawstory2026/02/08 09:08
Jerome Powell’s Press Conference: Crucial Insights Unveiled for the Market’s Future

Jerome Powell’s Press Conference: Crucial Insights Unveiled for the Market’s Future

BitcoinWorld Jerome Powell’s Press Conference: Crucial Insights Unveiled for the Market’s Future The financial world, including the dynamic cryptocurrency market, often hangs on every word from the Federal Reserve. Recently, Jerome Powell’s press conference following the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting concluded, leaving investors and analysts dissecting his remarks for clues about the future economic direction. This event is always a pivotal moment, shaping expectations for inflation, interest rates, and the overall stability of global markets. What Were the Key Takeaways from Jerome Powell’s Press Conference? During Jerome Powell’s press conference, the Fed Chair provided an update on the central bank’s monetary policy decisions and its economic outlook. His statements often reiterate the Fed’s dual mandate: achieving maximum employment and stable prices. This time was no different, with a strong emphasis on managing persistent inflation. Key points from the recent discussion included: Inflation Control: Powell emphasized the Fed’s unwavering commitment to bringing inflation back down to its 2% target. He reiterated that the fight against rising prices remains the top priority, even if it entails some economic slowdown. Interest Rate Policy: While the Fed’s stance on future interest rate adjustments was discussed, the path remains data-dependent. Powell indicated that decisions would continue to be made meeting-by-meeting, based on incoming economic data. Economic Projections: The updated Summary of Economic Projections (SEP) offered insights into the Fed’s forecasts for GDP growth, unemployment, and inflation. These projections help market participants gauge the central bank’s expectations for the economy’s trajectory. Quantitative Tightening (QT): The ongoing process of reducing the Fed’s balance sheet, known as quantitative tightening, was also a topic. This reduction in liquidity in the financial system has broad implications for asset prices. How Did Jerome Powell’s Remarks Impact Cryptocurrency Markets? The conclusion of Jerome Powell’s press conference often sends ripples through traditional financial markets, and cryptocurrencies are increasingly sensitive to these macroeconomic shifts. Digital assets, once thought to be uncorrelated, now frequently react to the Fed’s monetary policy signals. Higher interest rates, for instance, tend to make riskier assets like cryptocurrencies less attractive. This is because investors might prefer safer, interest-bearing investments. Consequently, we often see increased volatility in Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH) prices immediately following such announcements. The tightening of financial conditions, driven by the Fed, reduces overall liquidity in the system, which can put downward pressure on asset valuations across the board. However, some argue that this growing correlation signifies crypto’s increasing integration into the broader financial ecosystem. It suggests that institutional investors and mainstream finance are now paying closer attention to digital assets, treating them more like other risk-on investments. Navigating the Economic Landscape After Jerome Powell’s Press Conference For cryptocurrency investors, understanding the implications of Jerome Powell’s press conference is crucial for making informed decisions. The Fed’s policy trajectory directly influences the availability of capital and investor sentiment, which are key drivers for crypto valuations. Here are some actionable insights for navigating this environment: Stay Informed: Regularly monitor Fed announcements and economic data releases. Understanding the macroeconomic backdrop is as important as analyzing individual crypto projects. Assess Risk Tolerance: In periods of economic uncertainty and tighter monetary policy, a reassessment of personal risk tolerance is wise. Diversification within your crypto portfolio and across different asset classes can mitigate potential downsides. Focus on Fundamentals: While market sentiment can be swayed by macro news, projects with strong fundamentals, clear use cases, and robust development teams tend to perform better in the long run. Long-Term Perspective: Cryptocurrency markets are known for their volatility. Adopting a long-term investment horizon can help weather short-term fluctuations driven by macro events like Fed meetings. The challenges include potential continued volatility and reduced liquidity. However, opportunities may arise from market corrections, allowing strategic investors to accumulate assets at lower prices. In summary, Jerome Powell’s press conference provides essential guidance on the Fed’s economic strategy. Its conclusions have a profound impact on financial markets, including the dynamic world of cryptocurrencies. Staying informed, understanding the nuances of monetary policy, and maintaining a strategic investment approach are paramount for navigating the evolving economic landscape. The Fed’s actions underscore the interconnectedness of traditional finance and the burgeoning digital asset space. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) Q1: What is the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC)? A1: The FOMC is the monetary policy-making body of the Federal Reserve System. It sets the federal funds rate target and directs open market operations, influencing the availability of money and credit in the U.S. economy. Q2: How do the Fed’s interest rate decisions typically affect cryptocurrency markets? A2: Generally, when the Fed raises interest rates, it makes borrowing more expensive and reduces liquidity in the financial system. This often leads investors to shy away from riskier assets like cryptocurrencies, potentially causing prices to decline. Conversely, lower rates can stimulate investment in riskier assets. Q3: What does “data-dependent” mean in the context of Fed policy? A3: “Data-dependent” means that the Federal Reserve’s future monetary policy decisions, such as interest rate adjustments, will primarily be based on the latest economic data. This includes inflation reports, employment figures, and GDP growth, rather than a predetermined schedule. Q4: Should I change my cryptocurrency investment strategy based on Jerome Powell’s press conference? A4: While it’s crucial to be aware of the macroeconomic environment shaped by Jerome Powell’s press conference, drastic changes to a well-researched investment strategy may not always be necessary. It’s recommended to review your portfolio, assess your risk tolerance, and consider if your strategy aligns with the current economic outlook, focusing on long-term fundamentals. If you found this analysis helpful, please consider sharing it with your network! Your insights and shares help us reach more readers interested in the intersection of traditional finance and the exciting world of cryptocurrencies. Spread the word! To learn more about the latest crypto market trends, explore our article on key developments shaping Bitcoin price action. This post Jerome Powell’s Press Conference: Crucial Insights Unveiled for the Market’s Future first appeared on BitcoinWorld.
Share
Coinstats2025/09/18 16:25