Palantir, co-founded by Peter Thiel and Alex Karp, epitomizes the climate of 2025 with its deployment of AI for agencies such as ICE and the IDF, connections to Trump, and provocative commentary regarding the Antichrist and “Western Civilization.” This article summarizes key insights from recent discussions on Palantir presented by Naked Capitalism, effectively updating readers on the underlying stakes involved.
This analysis delves into the AI strategies of Palantir in 2025, their cronyism in Israel, the U.S., and the U.K., and Thiel’s unusual fixation on the Antichrist.
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Thomas Neuburger on Palantir Revisited: Who’s Us in Us vs. Them?
“Alex Karp’s warning to ensure that ‘our’ enemies ‘wake up scared and go to bed scared‘ positions Americans, particularly those in the more advanced West, as shielded not only from ‘our enemies’ but also from the repercussions of our actions against them. To put it bluntly, our safety is assured because we are the aggressors, not the victims.“Thus, we are led to view a formidable state—one equipped for punitive actions—as our protector, while justifying mistreatment of ‘them’ because ‘they’ are not ‘us.’
“However, this perspective is particularly reflective of the billionaire class, including Karp and Trump, who claim to speak for a broader ‘us’ that encompasses their wealth and influence.”
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Nick Corbishley on Welcome to Peak Palantir
“The company that ‘knows everything about you’ is gaining momentum as geopolitical tensions escalate, turning the so-called ‘liberal’ West into a dystopian narrative.“Palantir’s prominence continues to soar under Trump 2.0 as its stock reaches new highs daily. Thiel, a major financial backer of Trump’s 2016 campaign, seems to be reaping the benefits, further amplified by his substantial contributions to Vice President JD Vance’s Senate campaign. His sway could further amplify in a potential Vance administration.
“Palantir is also participating in a new Pentagon initiative, Detachment 201, designed to invigorate innovation within the U.S. Army. Notably, Shyam Sankar, Palantir’s chief technology officer, was appointed as a lieutenant colonel in the Army Reserve to inject tech expertise into military innovation.”
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Curro Jimenez on Palantir’s AI Justified Israel’s Attack on Iran — Will Tech Take Us Back to Irrational Beliefs?
“Peter Thiel stated, ‘If you don’t have AI, there’s nothing going on’ during a podcast. He elaborated on the ‘stagnation hypothesis,’ suggesting that without significant advancements driving economic growth, the social fabric in the West may disintegrate. Therefore, it’s crucial to seek progress through various avenues, including radical biology and potential missions to Mars.” -
Haig Hovaness on The Two Faces of Palantir
“Palantir’s technology exhibits a dual character. The same software that enables governments to combat terrorism can also monitor political dissent, thus consolidating authoritarian control. This contradiction highlights a significant dilemma of the digital age: the potential misuse of sophisticated information systems for domestic oppression.“Palantir’s tools can serve as essential defense capabilities against external threats but lack strict regulatory measures, risk turning into instruments for internal surveillance.”
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Curro Jimenez on The Alliance Among Washington, Tel Aviv, and Silicon Valley
“The Military Industrial Complex that Eisenhower warned about has evolved to encompass the U.S. and Israeli governments alongside major tech corporations from Silicon Valley. This ‘military-digital complex’ blurs the lines between public and private sectors, granting corporations significant, often unaccountable influence over geopolitical matters.“Thiel articulates the foundations of a new global power structure, proposing that the realities of September 11 necessitate a reevaluation of modern political frameworks and advocating for increased security at the expense of personal freedoms.”
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Silicon Valley Ideologies as a Lens for Viewing Current Events
“Thiel pursues a form of pro-extinctionism aimed at evolving into a posthuman species, retaining biological foundations while engaging in transformative enhancements. This notion contrasts with digital eugenics, reflecting a traditional, biological approach to transhumanism.”
Having summarized these pivotal insights, we can now delve into Palantir’s marketing strategies, their significant influence on controversial operations in Israel and America, and Thiel and Karp’s recent discussions regarding the Antichrist and Western Civilization.
Palantir 2025, AI Hype & Influencers
This article complements my ongoing examination of the various leaders in AI technology. Palantir has seen a remarkable surge in share prices throughout this AI-centric period:
— Nat Wilson Turner (@natwilsonturner) September 24, 2025
Some analysts have positioned the company as one of the “top 15 AI companies,” but it’s more accurately characterized as a middleman, redistributing AI technology to government entities and major contractors rather than pioneering such technology itself.
Wired’s Caroline Haskins attempted to clarify Palantir’s operational role:
(Juan Sebastián Pinto, former Palantir Content Strategist) posits that the company, now leveraging the tagline “software that dominates,” has purposefully maintained an enigmatic public image. In contrast to consumer-centric startups, Palantir primarily targets sprawling government agencies and Fortune 500 companies.
What it ultimately offers is not merely software, but an almost magical solution to intricate issues. To communicate this, Palantir often employs military language and imagery, positioning itself as a potent, quasi-military intelligence ally.”
In another piece, Haskins explored the idea of Palantir as a “lifestyle brand”:
…what does it mean for Palantir—a company that, in the words of one former employee, essentially sells digital “filing cabinets” to entities such as ICE and the U.S. Department of Defense—to be a lifestyle brand?
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Palantir enthusiasts are relatively easy to find online: various Palantir-centered subreddits, with the largest boasting 109,000 members. There are individuals on X who have successfully built large followings based solely on their Palantir-centered content.…
Palantir’s supporter base has surged during periods associated with immigration enforcement and military contractors facing public backlash in Silicon Valley. For many supporters, Palantir represented a contrary dark horse that remained steadfast to its principles in an environment resistant to them.…under the second Trump administration, the tech sphere is increasingly leaning toward collaboration with the military, both transactional and symbolic. In June, the Army commissioned a group of elite tech executives as “lieutenant colonels,” including Palantir’s chief technology officer, alongside executives from other leading tech corporations.”
Palantir 2025 strategically engages influencers:
— Nat Wilson Turner (@natwilsonturner) September 24, 2025
One of their co-founders, Joe Lonsdale, maintains a mid-sized YouTube channel where he features Palantir executives including CEO Alex Karp:
— Nat Wilson Turner (@natwilsonturner) September 24, 2025
Karp’s introductory remarks on the show highlight what he aims for Palantir 2025 investors to prioritize:
Joe Lonsdale: How much of AI right now is innovation in theater? What’s real and what’s hype?
Alex Karp: One major concern is the attempt within our country, less so for us than for others, to suppress AI usage by stakeholders without products. This remains a significant issue both inside and outside governmental circles. Fortunately, this challenge appears to be less pronounced here than in Europe.”
It’s crucial that decision makers in the Pentagon remain unaware that AI islargely hype, considering the financial opportunities at stake.
Karp also appears attuned to the sentiments of Gen Z, offering some sage advice:
— Nat Wilson Turner (@natwilsonturner) September 24, 2025
The New York Times contributed a profile detailing the intriguing Alex Karp:
Interestingly, Mr. Karp, a co-founder and CEO of Palantir Technologies, reveals an aversion to driving and skiing.
“I’m a dreamer,” he shared. “I often find myself lost in thought, which led me to practice tai chi for better focus. It’s genuinely aided my ability to concentrate on tasks. If you had met me 15 years ago, two-thirds of our conversation would have been me daydreaming.”
What do his dreams entail?
“It could be a past walk, a conversation from grad school, or something that annoyed me about family—anything that sparks my curiosity.”
Mr. Karp appears as a fit billionaire with tousled salt-and-pepper curls. Possessing ADHD, he shows an inability to conceal disinterest during conversations. After periods of energetic engagement, he requires downtime on a stationary bike or through reading. While he views his uniqueness as a strength, he relishes being provocative in public discussions.”
Outstanding journalism from the renowned columnist Maureen Dowd.
It’s noticed that the hype surrounding Palantir may provide amusement, but its underlying purpose is to position large corporations and Western governments for dominance.
Palantir as the Eyes and Ears of Murder, Inc.
A piece by Marketwatch outlines how Palantir’s branding and AI promotion have facilitated substantial contracts with U.S. and U.K. governments:
Bank of America analysts have identified Palantir’s forward-deployed engineers (FDEs) as integral to its “secret sauce.” These embedded engineers provide services that enhance the practical application of Palantir’s technology. With the introduction of agentic artificial intelligence, Bank of America anticipates rapid expansion in the company’s commercial sector.
In its government sector, Palantir’s collaboration with the U.K. Ministry of Defense, a commitment to invest up to £750 million, or over $1 billion, in AI-driven defense technologies over the next five years, enhances Palantir’s role as the global digital battle-management system.
Analysts noted that take-up of Palantir’s Maven Smart System in the U.S. has surged eightfold since early 2024, now integrated with NATO operations.”
This difference in perceptions between Palantir employees and Bank of America analysts regarding the company’s operations is noteworthy.
The approach appears to mirror a modified McKinsey model, embedding engineers within large organizations instead of transmitters of consultancy insights.
Palantir’s involvement with ICE is extensive, as reported by Business Insider:
ICE has entered into a $30 million contract with Palantir for software enhancements aimed at tracking self-deportations and individuals overstaying their visas, according to government records.
The contract for the Immigration Lifecycle Operating System—ImmigrationOS—is intended to minimize resource use and determine priorities for apprehending undocumented immigrants—including “violent criminals” and visa overstayers.
ImmigrationOS will significantly improve ICE’s case management capabilities, offering “real-time visibility” into instances of self-deportation and streamlining the immigration lifecycle from identification through to deportation.
This prototype is expected to be delivered to ICE by September 25 for approximately $29.8 million.
The software consolidates data from numerous government databases, enabling DHS agents to maintain detailed records on potential violators of immigration laws, including data-sharing with Customs and Border Protection.”
According to information obtained by the organization Just Futures Law under the Freedom of Information Act, Palantir’s ties with ICE are intricate, as detailed by The Guardian:
Documents reveal the depth of Palantir’s integration with Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), responsible for halting the “illegal movement of people, goods, and contraband.”
These documents provide insights into how Palantir technology aids HSI’s everyday operations through a vast cross-referencing network of government and private databases.
The extent of the data accessible to ICE is considerable. Among the revelations is a 2020 training document detailing how HSI agents can utilize Palantir software to search data from the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System, hosting nearly 5 million records dating back to 2016.
The nuances of Palantir’s involvement with Israel are more complex. James Bamford of The Nation examined Palantir’s role in Israeli military operations:
Palantir supplies Israel’s military and intelligence services with advanced targeting systems, vital in specific operations.
“I feel confident about the talent here, and we are assembling the best people,” Alex Karp remarked after a visit to Tel Aviv last January.
Following his talk, Karp agreed to an enhanced partnership with Israel’s Ministry of Defense, involving the provision of an Artificial Intelligence Platform that processes classified intelligence to guide essential targeting decisions. As Karp acknowledged, “Our product is used on occasion to kill people,” raising moral questions he himself reflects upon occasionally.
The AI systems require extensive data inputs—fundamentally sourced from U.S. intelligence, particularly the NSA—as confirmed by documents released through Edward Snowden.
Bloomberg’s exploration of Palantir’s Artificial Intelligence Platform in 2023 hints at the commercial narrative rather than the technical aspects:
The AI Platform serves militaries by leveraging sophisticated AI models to inform battlefield strategies. A demo illustrates its capabilities in analyzing intelligence on potential threats, formulating tactical plans, and communicating these to military leaders.
“Properly harnessed, these technologies will provide decisive advantages, intimidating both competitors and adversaries,” remarked Alex Karp, emphasizing the revolutionary nature of the current AI boom, “which will selectively elevate and diminish.”
Demand for AIP has never reached this level during my 20 years with Palantir, reflecting our aggressive restructuring to maximize opportunities.”
Additionally, Palantir caters to the U.S. Army’s needs, having recently completed the rollout of AI-enabled systems, as pointed out by CNBC:
Palantir has implemented its pioneering AI-supported systems into the U.S. Army structure this year, featuring Tactical Intelligence Targeting Access Node systems (TITAN). These mobile ground stations utilize AI for acquiring data from space sensors, enhancing operational strategy and targeting accuracy for soldier deployment.
This marked a breakthrough for Palantir, securing a $178 million contract as the first software firm positioned as a primary contractor for significant hardware projects.”
Peter Thiel, Jeffrey Epstein Acquaintance, and The Antichrist
With a clearer view of Palantir’s offerings and target audiences, we can now connect them back to current socio-political themes in 2025.
For instance, Thiel has an unusual business tie with the CDC’s acting head, involving the concept of artificial islands beyond national jurisdictions.
The intersection of Thiel with Epstein and his esoteric views on the Antichrist offer another layer to this narrative.
Thiel seems unwilling to detach from the Epstein saga, despite its controversial nature.
In contrast, Thiel actively embraces discussions around the Antichrist.
Let’s further explore the motivations surrounding the Antichrist discourse.
Reason.com unveiled insights regarding Epstein’s connections to Thiel and Israel:
Post his first arrest for sexual crimes, Epstein sought to transition into surveillance, collaborating with former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak on a security tech startup. Leaked communications reveal Epstein’s efforts to cultivate ties within the surveillance arena, courting influential figures such as Thiel.
In May 2014, he planned to introduce Barak to Thiel, indicating a desire for Barak to interact significantly with Thiel and request a meeting.
While the exact outcomes of their meeting remain unclear, shared interests in surveillance technologies suggest a deeper association. Notably, in February 2016, Epstein promoted his startup to Valar Ventures, co-led by Thiel, highlighting their connection.”
While the Thiel-Epstein relationship may lack explosive connections, Thiel’s ideation regarding the Antichrist is similarly nebulous.
Mike Brock elucidated Thiel’s link to René Girard, his Stanford mentor, reframing Thiel’s ambitions:
Thiel openly aligns himself with René Girard—the respected professor under whom he studied, whose insights into human social behavior inform Thiel’s political strategies.
The interpretation presents society as unifying against a designated antagonist, rather than fragmenting into chaos. Thus, Girard’s scapegoat theory serves as a critical instrument of Thiel’s approach.
This can be observed in targeted conspiracy theories against figures like George Soros or anti-woke campaigns focusing on academic institutions, as real anxieties channel towards convenient scapegoats that obscure the overarching oligarchic dominance.”
Émile P. Torres provided deeper analyses into Thiel’s apocalyptic narrative:
If one can foster environments suggesting imminent catastrophe and the presence of the Antichrist, compelling audiences into extreme actions becomes feasible. The stakes assume unprecedented heights, legitimizing actions that may otherwise be deemed unethical.
Thiel’s portrayal of biblical prophecies seems to emphasize a dichotomy between two enemies—the Antichrist and a looming Armageddon. The latter is identified as a world governance structure, often criticized for advocating regulatory oversight, which Thiel vehemently opposes.
Taking environmental activists like Greta Thunberg as Antichrist agents, Thiel perceives such movements as existential threats to unregulated capitalism.”
It’s remarkably emblematic of 2025 to equate climate activism with antichrists. One wonders whether Palantir technology featured in recent confrontations involving activists like Thunberg.
