Senator J.D. Vance (R-OH) has publicly called on influential conservative donor Peter Thiel to reconsider his decision to sit out of the 2024 election cycle and instead support Donald Trump’s campaign. In an interview with the Financial Times, Vance made a direct appeal to Thiel, who was a major backer of his Senate run but has recently expressed reluctance to fund Republican candidates.
Thiel, a significant supporter in past elections, notably contributed over $15 million to Arizona Senate candidate Blake Masters, who ultimately lost his race. With Trump trailing in fundraising as the 2024 election approaches, Vance used a campaign stop in Wisconsin to emphasize the importance of Thiel’s involvement.
“I’m going to keep on talking to Peter and persuading him that—he’s obviously been exhausted by politics a little bit—but he’s going to be really exhausted by politics if we lose and if Kamala Harris is president,” Vance said. He underscored Thiel’s conservative values, adding, “He is fundamentally a conservative guy, and I think that he needs to get off the sidelines and support the ticket.”
Despite Vance’s encouragement, Thiel has made it clear that he is disillusioned with the political landscape. Last year, he announced that he did not plan to donate “any money to Republican politicians in 2024,” expressing disappointment with the Trump presidency. However, he left the door open slightly, saying, “There’s always a chance I might change my mind.”
In a statement from June, Thiel remarked, “If you hold a gun to my head I’ll vote for Trump,” indicating his reluctant support, but he has not committed to providing financial backing.
Vance, who previously worked for Thiel’s venture capital firm in California before entering politics, is now leveraging their past connection in hopes of securing crucial support for Trump as the campaign intensifies. As the race heats up, Vance’s efforts reflect the broader struggle within the Republican Party to rally influential donors and secure the necessary resources for the 2024 election.