Good news for Daily Telegraph columnists worried their new German owners might turn out to be Brussels-loving pinkoes – they have just given their most prestigious award to far right tech tycoon Peter Thiel.
Staff at the title – particularly its more cuckoo columnists, like Allister Heath, Allison Pearson and Sherelle Jacobs – were said to have concerns about new overlords Axel Springer, with the Daily Mail, which was beaten in its bid for the paper, reporting how the company required its journalists to “support a united Europe”. Springer agreed to purchase the Telegraph Media Group in a deal costing £575 million in March.
Fortunately, Heath et al should have their concerns assuaged, with the group announcing it was giving Thiel the Axel Springer Award 2026 in light of the way he had “created new markets, transformed existing ones, and left a lasting mark on the technological, economic, and societal debates of our time”.
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That may be, but he is equally well known for his extreme right wing views, claiming Greta Thunberg is the antichrist, arguing “I no longer believe that freedom and democracy are compatible”, accusing the Pope of being a Chinese communist agent, championing US vice-president JD Vance and constantly warning that Armageddon is coming.
Still, that’s all a bonus for Springer, whose CEO, Mathias Döpfner, said: “Peter Thiel is one of those rare entrepreneurs who not only found or finance companies but also help shape the direction of technological development. His ability to think long-term, argue against the consensus, and consistently prioritize innovation has inspired generations of founders. He reminds us that progress requires courage and nonconformism.”
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The statement announcing his prize adds: “Beyond his entrepreneurial activities, Peter Thiel has shaped public discourse on innovation, freedom, and the future of Western societies. His books, lectures, and essays have sparked global discussions about entrepreneurship, technological progress, and the prerequisites for open societies. In 2021, he was awarded the Frank Schirrmacher Prize.
“Thiel faces criticism and attempts to discredit him due to his views; for instance, a discussion event featuring him as part of this year’s Wiener Festwochen (Vienna Festival) was cancelled following protests. Axel Springer stands for freedom of expression and a culture of open debate.”
Good news for the likes of Heath, then, whose entire oeuvre consists of articles prophesying the end of the world!
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