5 June 25 - July 1, 2026 miaminewtimes.com | browardpalmbeach.com NEW TIMES | CONTENTS | LETTERS | NEWS | NIGHT+DAY | CULTURE | CAFE | MUSIC | MONTH XX–MONTH XX, 2008 miaminewtimes.com MIAMI NEW TIMES | CONTENTS | LETTERS | RIPTIDE | METRO | NIGHT+DAY | STAGE | ART | FILM | CAFE | MUSIC | Crimew said an anonymous source tipped jour- nalists off to exposed files connected to Dialog’s website. WIRED reported that the exposed re- cords included attendee histories, membership statuses, biographies, and registration data for hundreds of partici- pants. The revelations arrive as Thiel’s in- fluence in South Florida has ex- panded dramati- cally. Earlier this month, reports sur- faced that Thiel’s family office leased space at Miami’s trophy office tower 830 Brickell, reportedly setting a new record for office rents in the city. The office will join a roster of heavy- weight tenants at the 55-story tower, including Ken Griffin’s Citadel Securities, private equity gi- ant Thoma Bravo, and Microsoft. Meanwhile, Palantir — the controversial data analytics and surveillance company Thiel co- founded in 2003 — relocated its headquarters to Miami earlier this year, cementing South Florida’s growing role as a hub for Thiel’s business empire. Thiel also maintains a residence in Miami Beach and has expanded the footprint of several invest- ment firms in the region. The move has fueled concerns among privacy advocates and civil-liberties groups because Palantir’s software is widely used by government agencies, including immigration enforcement, mil- itary, intelligence, and law enforcement organiza- tions. Critics have long argued that the company represents the growing fusion of Silicon Valley, surveillance technology, and government power. Dialog’s secrecy has made it a magnet for speculation for years. The organization operates largely out of public view, hosts expensive re- treats, and enforces strict off-the-record rules for discussions. Organizers have argued that confi- dentiality allows participants from different ideo- logical backgrounds to engage in candid conversations. But the newly exposed records offer one of the clearest looks yet at the people shaping con- versations around artificial intelligence, national security, politics, and the future of technology. For Miami, where Thiel, Palantir, Founders Fund, and an increasing number of tech power players have planted flags, the leak underscores how some of the city’s newest power brokers operate within networks that rarely face public scrutiny. traffic,” Fishback told New Times. “No won- der he’s fighting for data centers and overde- velopment instead of fighting for us.” Donalds’ campaign has rejected criticism over both its fundraising and debate strategy, arguing the congressman has built over- whelming support among Republican voters and is under no obligation to elevate candi- dates who have failed to gain significant trac- tion. Earlier this month, Donalds’ campaign dismissed calls for a primary debate after the Republican Party of Florida adopted qualifi- cation thresholds that only Donalds currently meets. The standards require candidates to poll at 10 percent, raise at least $10 million, and secure more than 10,000 donors. Donalds’ campaign argued it was not his responsibility to “legitimize” candidates who have failed to gain traction. The decision drew criticism from Gov. Ron DeSantis, who said Republican voters deserve a debate and suggested the rules were designed to clear the field for Donalds. Neither Donalds’ congressional offices nor his gubernatorial campaign responded to phone calls and emailed requests for com- ment before publication. With more than $71 million raised by Friends of Byron Donalds PAC and millions more flowing into his campaign committee, Donalds currently enjoys a financial advantage few Florida candidates have ever possessed. And at the top of the donor list sits Yass — the billionaire investor whose wealth, influ- ence, and connection to TikTok have made him one of the most consequential figures in Republican politics. [email protected] Peter Thiel, co-founder of PayPal, Palantir Technologies, and Founders Fund, is one of many tech power players who have recently planted flags in South Florida. Photo by Marco Bello/Getty Images Hush-hush from p4 Show me the money from p4 THE REVELATIONS ARRIVE AS THIEL’S INFLUENCE IN SOUTH FLORIDA HAS EXPANDED DRAMATICALLY.
