Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Sophia Bush Respond to Peter Thiel Dialog Group Controversy

Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Sophia Bush are pushing back against scrutiny after leaked records linked them to Dialog, the private invitation-only forum co-founded by billionaire investor Peter Thiel. Both actors say they have no personal relationship with Thiel and insist they attended the events because of their interest in technology and social issues, not because of political alignment.

Reports based on leaked documents sparked the controversy by exposing membership and attendee lists for Dialog, a closed-door gathering that brings together prominent figures from technology, politics, business and entertainment. Similar to the exclusive Bilderberg meetings, the organization has operated largely outside public view for years.

Gordon-Levitt confirmed that he attended two Dialog conferences but stressed that he has never met or spoken with Thiel. He said he disagrees with many of the billionaire’s political views and attended the events to take part in discussions about artificial intelligence and emerging technologies.

He described the conferences as forums that attract people from across the ideological spectrum and said he viewed them as opportunities for meaningful conversations rather than endorsements of any particular viewpoint or agenda.

Bush also addressed the reports, explaining that she attended the gathering to discuss AI-generated deepfakes and her work promoting digital safety. She emphasized that her values remain unchanged and said she did not know about the group’s ties to Thiel when she accepted the invitation.

Bush added that Thiel did not attend the event she joined and highlighted the importance of engaging with people who hold different perspectives. She also reaffirmed her commitment to democratic values and human rights.

The leak exposed internal details about Dialog, including participant rosters and information about planned discussions covering artificial intelligence, disinformation, geopolitical conflicts and social change.

The disclosures have fueled questions about the influence of exclusive forums that connect powerful figures from multiple industries. Supporters argue that the gatherings encourage open debate, while critics question the secrecy surrounding the organization and its links to influential political and technology leaders.

Despite the criticism, both Gordon-Levitt and Bush insist that attending the events should not be interpreted as support for Thiel or his political ideology.