Joe Lonsdale, a venture capitalist and co-founder of the data analytics company Palantir, has publicly called for the reinstatement of public hangings as part of a campaign to promote what he terms 'masculine leadership' in the United States. In a statement shared on the social media platform X, Lonsdale expressed support for amending the 'three strikes' law to mandate public executions for individuals convicted of three violent crimes, rather than sentencing them to life imprisonment.

Lonsdale stated, 'If I’m in charge later, we won’t just have a three strikes law. We will quickly try and hang men after three violent crimes. And yes, we will do it in public to deter others.' He further claimed that 'our society needs balance' and emphasized the need for a return to masculine leadership to safeguard vulnerable populations.

His remarks have drawn widespread condemnation. Gil Durán, a journalist focused on the political dynamics of Silicon Valley, criticized Lonsdale's statements as indicative of a troubling trend among U.S. tech elites towards radicalization and authoritarianism. He referenced the rhetoric of other influential figures, such as Peter Thiel and Curtis Yarvin, who have similarly advocated for extreme measures to reinforce authoritarian governance.

Taulby Edmondson, an academic, noted that Lonsdale's justification for public hangings echoes historical descriptions of lynch mobs rather than legitimate state-sanctioned executions. Theoretical physicist Sean Carroll remarked that Lonsdale's comments reflect a troubling cultural trend of equating immaturity with strength.

Tech entrepreneur Anil Dash cautioned Lonsdale about the potential repercussions of his proposals, highlighting the role of social media platforms in facilitating violence and harm, as exemplified by the Rohingya genocide linked to Facebook's policies. Additionally, Columbia Journalism School professor Bill Grueskin pointed out Lonsdale's financial support for the University of Austin, an institution positioned as an alternative to traditional liberal education, aimed at fostering ethical leadership through open discourse.