How Musk, Thiel, Zuckerberg, and Andreessen—Four Billionaire Techno-Oligarchs—Are Creating an Alternate, Autocratic Reality

Giuliani’s New Defense? • Climate Emergency • Newsmax on Blast [View in your browser]( | [Update your preferences](newsletter=vf) [Vanity Fair Hive logo image]( How Musk, Thiel, Zuckerberg, and Andreessen—Four Billionaire Techno-Oligarchs—Are Creating an Alternate, Autocratic Reality Good morning from the Hive newsroom! How did we get to this point of rampant income inequality, post-truth reality, and the potential for a second American Civil War? Film producer and writer Jonathan Taplin [points to]( Elon Musk, Peter Thiel, Mark Zuckerberg, and Marc Andreessen. These “American oligarchs” represent an antidemocratic turn within the tech world, Taplin says, dismantling a concept close to the hearts of some in Silicon Valley: transhumanism. In other news, Charlotte Klein [takes stock]( of how political journalists are preparing for a truly unprecedented moment in electoral politics: a GOP debate without the party front-runner, who is expected to surrender to authorities in Georgia this week. Plus, Eric Lutz [questions]( why Joe Biden still hasn’t declared a climate emergency as catastrophes unfold in Hawaii and California. Thanks for reading. [How Musk, Thiel, Zuckerberg, and Andreessen—Four Billionaire Techno-Oligarchs—Are Creating an Alternate, Autocratic Reality]( By [Jonathan Taplin]( [In an excerpt from his new book, The End of Reality, the author warns about the curses of AI and transhumanism, presenting the moral case against superintelligence.]( [Read more button](   [“Covering the Junior Varsity”: Political Reporters Prepare for a Trump-Less GOP Debate]( By [Charlotte Klein]( [It’s a split screen moment for the media as reporters this week juggle the 2024 wannabes onstage in Milwaukee and a no-show front-runner expected to surrender to authorities in Atlanta. “It’s really uncharted territory,” says one.]( [Read more button](   [Rudy Giuliani: I Have “Scientific Evidence” the 2020 Election Was Stolen From Donald Trump]( By [Bess Levin]( [The former mayor and alleged coconspirator claimed such evidence is “very persuasive” and will prove both Trump’s and his innocence.]( [Read more button](   [How Bad Do Things Have to Get for Joe Biden to Declare a Climate Emergency?]( By [Eric Lutz]( [The president says he has “practically” called for an emergency. But the Maui wildfires and Tropical Storm Hilary serve as a reminder that he needs to declare one for real.]( [Read more button](   [Vivek Ramaswamy Says Newsmax Tried to Hustle Him for Advertising in Exchange for More Coverage: Report]( By [Caleb Ecarma]( [The right-wing outlet denies the quid pro quo accusation.]( [Read more button](   Get on the list Subscribe to our Hollywood newsletter for your essential industry and awards-season news, every day. [Sign Up Now](   [Facebook]( [Twitter]( [Instagram]( [LinkedIn](   This e-mail was sent to you by The Hive. To ensure delivery to your inbox (not bulk or junk folders), please add our e-mail address, vanityfair@newsletter.vf.com, to your address book. View our [Privacy Policy]( [Unsubscribe](newsletter=vf) Sent from Condé Nast, 1 World Trade Center, New York, NY 10007 Copyright © 2023 Condé Nast