Palantir CEO Alex Karp Defends Trump, Downplays ICE Partnership Concerns

CEO praises former president’s “performance” on key issues

In a recent interview, Alex Karp, the outspoken chief executive of data‑analytics firm Palantir Technologies, said he believed former President Donald Trump had “performed” on several policy areas that matter to him. Karp highlighted the administration’s stance on immigration enforcement, trade, and national security as examples of the president’s alignment with Palantir’s mission.

Dismisses criticism over collaboration with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement

When asked about the growing backlash against Palantir’s contract with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Karp brushed off the criticism, calling it “overblown” and “misguided.” He argued that the technology provided to ICE is used to “identify genuine threats” and to “protect communities,” insisting that the company’s tools are neutral and governed by strict privacy safeguards.

Company’s stance on ethical use of technology

Karp emphasized that Palantir’s platform is designed to empower lawful government agencies while respecting civil liberties. “We build software that helps officials make better decisions, not to weaponize data against innocent people,” he said. He added that the firm has internal review processes to ensure compliance with ethical standards, and that any misuse would be swiftly addressed.

Reactions from activists and investors

Human‑rights groups and several investors have called for Palantir to terminate its ICE contract, arguing that the partnership enables aggressive immigration enforcement. In response, Palantir’s board released a statement reaffirming the company’s commitment to “responsible technology deployment” and noting that the contract remains a “strategic component of our government portfolio.”

What’s next for Palantir?

Despite the controversy, Palantir’s stock has remained relatively stable, buoyed by strong demand for its data‑analysis services across the public and private sectors. Karp concluded the interview by saying the company will continue to “focus on solving the world’s most complex problems,” regardless of the political noise surrounding its government work.