Vance voices support for stopping dual citizenship, impacting his benefactor, Peter Thiel

In the heat of the race for Ohio’s open Senate seat, J.D. Vance (R) continues to spar, including with (apparently) his biggest supporters. Attending a campaign event with Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX), Vance responded to an eventgoer’s question about if it was possible to stop dual citizenship. Vance did not shoot down the idea, instead claiming, “I think we can stop a lot of it.” 

Vance’s benefactor, billionaire Peter Thiel, has contributed a staggering $15 million to Vance’s political campaign before surprisingly pulling out earlier this month. Ironically, Thiel holds dual citizenship, being born in Germany and having citizenship in New Zealand. 

The decision to grant citizenship to Thiel has been met with fair criticism. To become a legal citizen in New Zealand, one must be a permanent resident for at least 1,350 days. Thiel spent twelve days in the country before being granted citizenship. The venture capitalist has great admiration for the country, citing New Zealand as a “utopia”. He spoke highly of the country saying, “No other country that aligns more with my view of the future than New Zealand.” 

In addition, the New Zealand Herald reports, “New Zealand has become the destination of choice for rich Americans seeking a bolthole to hedge against natural or political disaster.” Furthermore, Thiel owns property throughout New Zealand where he can host family and friends in the event of a worldwide pandemic. 

Currently, Thiel is in the process of receiving Maltese citizenship. Andrew Amoils, an investment migration specialist at Henley & Partners, compiled data of millionaires seeking refuge via golden visas or passports. He found that millionaires often targeted Malta, Mauritius and Monaco. Amoils noted, “Approximately 300 millionaires are expected to move to Malta in 2022.” 

Malta has been facing issues surrounding their passport program. Their former prime minister, Joseph Muscat, resigned in 2019 due to protests surrounding corruption and the murder of a journalist who spoke out about the government. Speaking with The New York Times, Muscat said, “the country’s passport investment program was ‘an insurance policy’ for wealthy individuals ‘where they feel there is a great deal of volatility.’”

“It’s straightforward,” he told the Times. “You pay into a national fund, and the national fund uses that money for infrastructure and for social housing.”

As Vance and Rep. Tim Ryan (D) make their final rounds across Ohio, early voting has already begun. Voters can vote early in-person or by mail. Currently, 812,000 Ohioans have requested absentee ballots ahead of the election. The election will be Nov. 8, and Ohio will be a crucial state to take control of for Republicans and Democrats.