CBS News editor-in-chief Bari Weiss delivered an eleven-minute speech in Berlin on Thursday praising Palantir co-founder Peter Thiel as “ferociously independent,” following her appointment to the network last year by billionaire David Ellison.
Bari Weiss Praises Peter Thiel at Axel Springer Award Ceremony
Bari Weiss presented the Axel Springer 2026 award to Peter Thiel in Berlin on Thursday, honoring the Palantir co-founder for shaping digital transformation. According to Guardian reporter Jeremy Barr, who shared video footage of the event on X, Weiss spoke for eleven minutes about the German-born U.S. citizen and Trump administration supporter.
“I have the pleasure to introduce a man whose life and whose character embodies what I think of as the quintessential American spirit: heretical, driven, audacious, pioneering, innovative, entrepreneurial, original, eccentric, and above all, ferociously independent,” Weiss said during the ceremony, as reported by Jeremy Barr.
Contrasting Worldviews and Internal Media Protests
Weiss acknowledged disagreements between herself and Thiel, specifically citing her career in media and Thiel’s public statements against freedom of the press. Thiel previously secretly funded a $140 million lawsuit against Gawker that forced the outlet into bankruptcy.
https://x.com/jeremymbarr/status/2103175677797122234
That litigation history prompted protests from employees at Axel Springer, the parent company of POLITICO, Business Insider, and Morning Brew, who objected to Thiel receiving an award from a media company. Mathias Döpfner’s company proceeded with the honor regardless. Weiss addressed the tension directly in her remarks, stating she considered Thiel’s presence at the media-backed institution a victory for her side of the argument regarding the press as an instrument of liberty.
Citing Ross Douthat and Higher Education Views
During her address, Weiss referenced Ross Douthat, a conservative New York Times columnist she recently recruited for 60 Minutes, who characterized Thiel as “the most influential right-wing intellectual of the past 20 years.” Weiss suggested that the “right-wing” label misses how “strange and wild, how untamed Peter’s worldview is.”
Weiss also praised Thiel’s fellowship program, which provides financial support to teenagers who bypass college, pointing to Thiel’s stance that American higher education has “gone bust.”
Did you know? Previous recipients of the Axel Springer award include Elon Musk, Mark Zuckerberg, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Bari Weiss?
Bari Weiss is the editor-in-chief of CBS News and founder of The Free Press, appointed to her CBS role last year by billionaire David Ellison.
Why was Peter Thiel honored in Berlin?
Thiel received the Axel Springer 2026 award, which recognizes entrepreneurs, investors, and thought leaders who have significantly shaped digital transformation.
What controversy surrounded Thiel’s award?
Axel Springer employees protested the award due to Thiel’s history of funding a $140 million lawsuit that forced the media outlet Gawker into bankruptcy.
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