title: Elon Musk's Friend Jared Kushner Takes on Greenland Purchase for President Trump
Trump taps PayPal alum Ken Howery as potential Greenland negotiator
The "PayPal Mafia" member, who previously served as CFO of the online payments app and as Trump's ambassador to Sweden, could play a significant role in the proposed Greenland acquisition.
With Trump expressing an interest in purchasing Greenland from Denmark, despite Danish officials repeatedly stating that the territory is not for sale, Howery, a founding member of the "PayPal Mafia" and a close associate of tech billionaires Elon Musk and Peter Thiel, has been selected as Trump's new ambassador to Denmark.
Critics have labeled the potential Greenland acquisition as "insane," yet geostrategic importance has made it a topic of interest for many. During the Cold War, the U.S. attempted to build nuclear missile launch sites in Greenland, a secret endeavor that allegedly did not involve the Danish government.
Howery's nomination reflects the growing influence of the "PayPal Mafia" within the Trump administration. Howery and Thiel, who were college buddies at Stanford, co-founded the venture capital firm Founders Fund, which has backed successful tech companies such as Facebook, SpaceX, and others.
Howery, known for his lively social life, has hosted several lavish events, including a 2020 birthday party at an 19th-century castle outside Stockholm, and a 2022 Halloween party at a Transylvanian castle, attended by Thiel and other billionaires.
Musk, a close friend of Howery, spent the pandemic at Howery's Houston mansion, and reportedly hosted a 2021 party there where guests were required to sign non-disclosure agreements. Network State-linked groups, including the Praxis project, also have expressed interest in acquiring Greenland as part of a broader "plan."
As Howery awaits Senate confirmation, his selection as Trump's ambassador to Denmark highlights the intricate connections between tech innovation, geopolitical maneuvering, and the shifting focus of U.S. territorial ambitions.
Enrichment Insights:- Howery was instrumental in PayPal's early success, helping bring the company together and overseeing its sale to eBay. He also co-founded Founders Fund, a prominent Silicon Valley venture capital firm.- Howery previously served as ambassador to Sweden in Trump's first term, and has experience in both technology investing and mergers and acquisitions.- Network State, a political movement focused on building cryptocurrency-powered cities, has expressed interest in acquiring Greenland as part of its broader plan.
Sources:[1] New York Times - Ken Howery's PayPal role[2] The Guardian - The PayPal Mafia[3] Fortune - Ken Howery[4] Business Insider - Donald Trump wants to buy Greenland[5] US News & World Report - Ken Howery named as US ambassador to Sweden[6] New York Times - Trump's Greenland ambition[7] New World Wealth - Danish Wealth Statistics[8] CBS News - The military history of Greenland[9] Washington Post - Pentagon Secret[10] NPR - Dryden Brown and the Network State Movement[11] The Guardian - Peter Thiel and the tech right[12] Motherboard - The PayPal mafia and political ambitions[13] US News & World Report - The Danish response to Greenland sale talk[14] The Atlantic - A brief history of Greenland
With the tech billionaire elites having influence in political circles, Howery's selection as Trump's potential Greenland negotiator showcases the growing influence of the 'PayPal Mafia' in shaping the tech-driven future of geopolitics.
Given this interest in Greenland, it's plausible that future technological advancements could play a significant role in any negotiations or potential acquisitions, considering the geostrategic value of Greenland's resources and its suitability for technological projects.
