The Daily Inside the Tech Company Powering Trump’s Most Controversial Policies
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Dec 16, 2025 
Michael Steinberger, a contributing writer for The New York Times and author of "The Philosopher in the Valley," explores the controversial technology company Palantir. He dives into how CEO Alex Karp transitioned from liberal beliefs to supporting Trump, especially through federal contracts with ICE. Steinberger outlines Palantir’s controversial software used for surveillance and military applications, the backlash it faces, and Karp’s philosophical justifications for these partnerships in an increasingly polarized America.
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Software That Connects The Dots
- Palantir builds software that merges large data sets to reveal hidden patterns for governments and militaries.
- Michael Steinberger says this technology underpinned Pentagon targeting and helped Ukraine resist Russia early in the war.
Power Through Intelligence Clients
- Palantir is seen as extremely powerful because it serves intelligence agencies and law enforcement with vast personal data flows.
- Critics fear it could enable near-futuristic surveillance and be abused by authoritarian regimes.
Karp's Off-Grid Privacy And Guards
- Michael describes Alex Karp hiking with bodyguards at his off-grid Vermont home during their interviews.
- Karp acknowledged strong security measures and said, “If my phone's around, someone's listening.”
