The billionaire co-founder of software company Palantir has called for the return of public hangings in order to demonstrate “masculine leadership”

“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,” Joe Lonsdale wrote on X

“Our society needs balance. It’s time to bring back masculine leadership to protect our most vulnerable”

Lonsdale, who co-founded the tech giant along with entrepreneurs including Peter Thiel, made the comments in response to online criticism of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, and his attitude to recent military strikes against alleged “drug boats”

Hegseth was called out for his own online posts in which he boasted openly about sinking “another narco-boat.” Online users reacted with outrage, with Claire Lehmann, editor of the Australian-based libertarian website Quillette describing the post itself as "grotesque"

“And look I get it that sometimes hard men need to do ugly things. But if you're going to do this, don't broadcast it, & don't brag about it. FFS,” Lehmann wrote

Lonsdale replied: “She’s just wrong. Leftist schoolmarm leaders cause violence and evil in our civilization. Sinking narco boats publicly helps deter others. As does hanging repeat violent criminals

“Killing bad guys is DoW job. He should brag more. Masculine truth: bold, virtuous men deter evil”