Palantir chief executive Alex Karp is pushing back against long-running concerns that his company’s technology fuels government overreach, arguing instead that its mission is aligned with democratic values and, in his words, “patriotism will make you rich.”

In comments made during a recent appearance and reported by Gizmodo, Karp dismissed criticisms that Palantir’s platforms enable invasive data monitoring. He framed the company’s work with US and allied governments as essential to national security, adding that skepticism of the tech sector is often misplaced.

Palantir, which builds advanced analytics and AI tools for intelligence agencies, law enforcement, and militaries, has long faced scrutiny from civil liberties groups over transparency and its role in surveillance programs. Karp countered that narrative by positioning Palantir as one of the few technology firms willing to work directly with democratic institutions.

His remarks come at a time when the company is aggressively scaling its government contracts and leaning into political messaging about Western resilience, particularly around AI and defense capabilities. Investors have rewarded that posture. Palantir’s valuation has surged on the back of military and national security demand, while its executives have repeatedly argued that geopolitical alignment is a competitive advantage.

Still, civil rights advocates say the CEO’s comments sidestep deeper issues around oversight, data governance, and the lack of clear regulatory frameworks for AI-driven surveillance. Critics warn that Palantir’s influence over public-sector decision-making continues to grow without a corresponding increase in accountability.

Karp, however, insists that the company’s approach is both ethical and profitable, betting that its pro-government stance will remain a cornerstone of its brand as global conflicts and AI adoption accelerate.