Tech Billionaires Are Creating Private Cities To Flee America. 'Can You Imagine Being That Rich And Miserable?'

[bronxiteforever]

Off the Front Page
AUTHOR: Ivana Cesnik
December 17, 2025
3 min.read

A growing number of tech billionaires are pouring money into private, libertarian-style cities to escape what they view as a declining America.

The rise of these so-called “startup societies” is raising eyebrows around the world, especially among those who question whether the ultra-wealthy are abandoning the rest of society after benefiting from its systems for years.

… One of the most notable efforts was Prospera, a libertarian charter city on the island of Roatán in Honduras. Backed by investors like Peter Thiel, Adam Draper, and Marc Andreessen, Prospera was built as a deregulated tax haven with more than $100 million in funding. But the project has run into serious trouble. Its legal footing was made possible by Honduras’ former president, Juan Orlando Hernández, who was later arrested in the United States

…Commentator Kyle Kulinski summed up the issue more sharply: “They’re going to take your job while they cut the social safety net. The country is going to go to [expletive], and they’re going to [expletive] leave.”


https://offthefrontpage.com/tech-billionaires-are-creating-private-cities-to-flee-america/

The Thiel/Hernandez connection explains a lot about the pardon. It looks like he is an acquaintance of Thiel.

[BSDemon]

1. Prospera.....

Forbidden by the Honduran constitution. Many garifuna leaders were killed in Hernandez's 2 terms (one 'legal' and the other de facto) because they opposed giving their lands along the Honduran coast for these 'cities'.

[meadowlander]

2. It never ceases to amaze me how people can be smart in one area and *so* stupid in others.

Who looks at the threat of climate change and says let's build a private city on an island with no natural resources near the equator and in Hurricane Alley surrounded by people who have self-selected for selfishness?

[NickB79]

3. I played Bioshock years ago on Xbox. I recognize a city like Rapture when I see one.

Fucking Ayn Rand sycophants.

[TheFarseer]

4. Imagine

Imagine having so much money you would never be able to spend it and your mission in life is to extract every dime you can from someone on the edge of homelessness. You are so indignant that they provide food stamps to working families who still struggle to afford food for their children, that you have to create your own society where they let those fuckers starve like Jesus wanted.

[DinahMoeHum]

5. I say let them go to these places. . .

Just make sure they DON'T COME OUT.

[ThoughtCriminal]

6. One day "Galt's Gulch"

Becomes "Lord of the Flies", but instead of getting rescued, they just eat each other.

[RockCreek]

7. Imagind being surrounded by people like that

And your peons
24/7.
Sounds like hell.
Although there is always their virtual life....

[dickthegrouch]

8. Let's just hope it turns out like Netflix' "Billionaire's Bunker"

Whole thing’s a scam

[haele]

9. How soon before the slaves -er- servants turn on them?

When ancient Romans ran their villas, they were really, really careful to ensure their guards and house slaves were well treated - often better than most free workers and soldiers - in accordance with the times. In many cases, those people were treated like members of the family.
They did have more disposable slaves, but those were typically not in any position where they might interact with anyone in the villa.
The Autocrats who bullied or sadistically mistreated their "loyal servants and guards" would very often find themselves in a fatal position.
Slave revolts are always a fear in Autocracies or Plantation Societies.
In a remote island or walled compound, it's going to be really, Really difficult to get new people coming in willing to put up with your shit after you've already screwed everyone over. At least anyone you can trust.

And I can't see Tech Bros or Prosperity Gospel "Financial Wizards" treating anyone, even their "peers", with respect or dignity unless they felt they were going to get immediate gratification if they did so. The true believer cult members they might be able to bring with them to play staff and servants aren't going to remain cult members very long, and if they bring mercenary types - well, when the world economy and trade collapses, dedication isn't going to last very long.

Unless they think they've got enough Robots. Autonomous Farms, and AI to keep them, a small automated army, and a minimal staff going...
But having enough Robots and automation to keep a single Elysium settlement running, fed, and comfortable is still a good 50 to 100 years away in - a good economic environment.
If they're planning on escaping while plunging the world into Thunderdome over the next 5/10 years - they're high and stupid.

[Sogo]

10. Good. It'll be easy to find them.

....

[mzmolly]

11. Sounds like an Epstein Island

reboot.