Meet the “Thielbillies” Reshaping the Republican Party
On four successive Monday evenings this fall, hundreds of people filed through metal detectors and past armed guards into the Grand Lodge of Tennessee, a Masonic temple in Nashville, for a very special closed-door event. Culturally, it was a world away from the cowboy-boot-clad bachelorette parties and honky-tonks of Broadway, the city’s nearby tourist drag. […]
In Nashville, Tennessee, a group of tech workers, financiers, and edgelords, known as the "Thielbillies," have emerged as influential figures in reshaping the Republican Party. Culturally distinct from the city's nightlife, these individuals came together to hear billionaire Peter Thiel lecture on topics such as the Antichrist, political and economic history, and religion.
Thiel emphasized the importance of addressing inferiority complexes and fighting for their interests, stating that Nashville is "arguably the global capital of Protestantism."
This movement, characterized by a nativist edge and a focus on regionalism, seeks to define the reshaped GOP. The Pamphleteer, a right-leaning publication founded by Dallas Hunt, plays a pivotal role in this development. With a focus on neglected perspectives, The Pamphleteer organizes events like Thiel's Antichrist lectures and hosts gatherings that discuss cultural and educational revival, such as "Building on the Cultural Frontier."
The Thielbillies' influence extends beyond The Pamphleteer. They have founded various ventures, including Meriwether Academy, a men's group built on great books and serious conversation, and Delphica Society, a decentralized club dedicated to excellence, trust, capital, and a beautiful culture. These organizations have garnered support from notable figures, such as alt-right influencer Douglass Mackey and far-right pastor Andrew Isker.
Nashville's cultural landscape, with its strong ties to country music and Christian conservatism, provides a fertile ground for the Thielbillies' ideology. The city's institutions, including Vanderbilt University, have also demonstrated their support for conservative values, further solidifying the Thielbillies' role in shaping the future of the Republican Party.
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