“…The four-lecture event, which began Sunday, March 15, 2026, and runs through Wednesday, remains closed to the press with its exact venue undisclosed for security and exclusivity reasons. Attendees include figures from academia, technology and religious circles, according to organizers quoted in media reports. Thiel, 58, a co-founder of PayPal and Palantir Technologies, has long expressed fascination with apocalyptic themes, including the Antichrist—a biblical figure described as opposing Christ while posing as a savior—and Armageddon as existential risks facing humanity.
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The lectures come amid heightened scrutiny of Thiel’s broader influence. Palantir, the data analytics firm he co-founded, has secured significant contracts under the current Trump administration, including tools aiding immigration enforcement and deportation efforts. The company’s stock has risen sharply since Trump’s return to office, benefiting from defense and government deals. Critics, including some Democrats, have raised concerns about potential conflicts of interest and the use of Palantir’s surveillance capabilities in domestic policy.
Separately, Thiel’s investment moves have captured Wall Street attention. In recent quarters, his hedge fund, Thiel Macro, sold positions in major AI-linked stocks including Tesla, Microsoft and Apple, totaling around $74 million in one reported divestment. The sales, disclosed in filings, prompted speculation about a bearish stance on certain tech sectors despite his history of backing transformative companies through Founders Fund, which has stakes in SpaceX, Anduril and others…”