Hollywood Actors Address Alleged Participation in Peter Thiel’s Secretive Dialog Conference

Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Sophia Bush were named in a leaked list of participants at Dialog, the invite-only forum founded by Peter Thiel. Both issued statements denying personal ties to Thiel and describing their attendance as part of broader tech and deep-fake advocacy.

The Wrap

Dialog, founded in 2006 by Peter Thiel and Auren Hoffman, convenes CEOs, politicians and leaders. In June 2026 a Swiss researcher leaked website code showing a directory of 113 alleged members and a schedule covering topics such as “Disinformation & Deepfakes,” “Democracy Under Surveillance,” and “Build-a-Cult.” The group plans a permanent D.C. campus and an August retreat in Dublin, Ireland.

Hollywood Reporter

The leak lists actors Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Sophia Bush, Josh Brolin; music executive Scooter Braun; journalist Ezra Klein; tech leaders Elon Musk and YouTube CEO Neal Mohan; former adviser Jared Kushner; Senators Ted Cruz and Cory Booker; and Scott Belsky (A24) and Reid Hoffman. Members were graded from A (e.g., writer Teresa Hsiao) to C (e.g., Brolin). Session topics include “Disinformation & Deepfakes,” “Democracy Under Surveillance,” “Build-a-Cult,” and “WWIII.”

Deadline Hollywood

A private forum that shapes discussion on AI, deepfakes and geopolitics may influence public policy without transparency. Topics overlap with Bush’s advocacy for the DEFIANCE Act, while the presence of tech CEOs and political operatives suggests potential alignment of industry interests with legislative outcomes.

Hollywood Reporter

Gordon-Levitt said he attended two Dialog conferences, never met Thiel, and described gatherings as featuring a variety of people and opinions, adding he aims to influence tech’s future. Bush said she learned of Thiel’s involvement only after leak, attended to discuss her documentary “Another Body” and DEFIANCE Act, and left early after speaking on deep-fake abuse. Brolin’s spokesperson said “would like to know what the fuck he got himself into.”

The Wrap

Brolin’s rep’s blunt comment highlights participant unease about the secretive forum.

Deadline Hollywood

Bush says Thiel has not been involved for 15 years; other sources cite him as founder, leaving membership verification uncertain.

Just Jared

• “I understand why people have questions and are suspicious.” — Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Actor

The Wrap

• “Some of the headlines and posts circulating about this are alarming, if not bizarre.” — Joseph Gordon-Levitt

Deadline Hollywood

• “didn’t know [Thiel] had ever been involved until this week.” — Sophia Bush, Actress

Deadline Hollywood

• “like to know what the fuck he got himself into.” — Brolin’s spokesperson

Hollywood Reporter

Dialog intends to open a permanent D.C. campus later this year, deepening its engagement with lawmakers. Legislative work on AI and deepfake regulation, such as the DEFIANCE Act, will continue to intersect with the forum’s agenda, prompting ongoing scrutiny.

Hollywood Reporter