Influence Behind the Scenes: Peter Thiel's Covert Involvement in the Trump Administration
The Screaming Eagle of Spying: How Palantir's Silent Reign in the Trump Administration Unmasks U.S. Citizens
Shout-out to Writer Jon Hall | writerjonhall.substack.com
In a world where everyone's eyes are glued to Elon Musk and his dramatic breakup with the Trump administration, let's not overlook the ever-creeping smoke that's been rising from another corner - Palantir's covert operations under the Trump regime.
In my previous piece, I highlighted how Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) are hunting for a nerdy Hogwarts-like solution called ImmigrationOS, crafted by none other than Peter Thiel's Palantir to resuscitate the dying spirit of the Patriot Act.
This isn't new. In the Federal Register, ICE has openly admitted their desperate need for infiltration tech, focusing on "targeting and enforcement prioritization", "self-deportation tracking", and managing the "immigration lifecycle process".
Palantir, the tech titan that's been a staple in the government since its inception in 2004, is now feeding the horse of ICE's destructive ride. The result? ImmigrationOS - a software that conquers all - can analyze your immigration lifecycle, track illegal immigrants ditching the nation, and even orchestrate their "disappearance" (aka deportation).
But guess what? Palantir has been digging through citizens' underwear drawers since 2018. Under the guidance of its founder, the inimitable Peter Thiel, Palantir has been grubbing around in the Pentagon and CIA's dirt in Afghanistan and Iraq.
They've also lent a helping hand to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the FBI, and, oh yes, the ever-looming DHS. Thiel and his henchmen's shadows have been cast in many corners of the government, working behind the scenes in various shades of connivance.
Their long-standing relationship with Trump goes back to the early 2000s. In 2019, Palantir's software helped ICE strip-search 680 immigrants in meat processing factories. If that's not enough for you, they were also there for the infamous "Bronx 120" raid in 2016, when ICE agents barged into New York homes, smashing down doors like they were made of tissue paper.
In 2018, Palantir's software was put to work once more, with ICE agents raiding almost a hundred 7-Elevens across the country. They deemed Palantir "mission critical" – not that they had much choice, considering they had no alternative solution to their problem.
And now, with Thiel's network deeply embedded in Trump's cabinet, it seems the Trump administration has been recruiting trusted allies. Here are some of the familiar faces:
- Chris Wright - a board member at Oklo, a company funded by Peter Thiel-linked Hydrazine Capital - is Trump's Secretary of Energy.
- Jacob Helberg - former high-ranking Palantir advisor - is now Trump's Under Secretary of State for Economic Growth, Energy, and the Environment.
- Ken Howery - ex-PayPal CFO (co-founded by Thiel) - is Trump's Ambassador to Denmark.
- Clark Minor - ex-Palantir executive - is now the Chief Information Officer of Health and Human Services.
- Jim O'Neill - co-founder and former CEO of the Thiel Foundation - is Trump's Deputy Secretary of Health and Human Services.
Going the extra mile, Thiel even mentored JD Vance and reportedly introduced him to Trump in 2021.
Knowing this, what do you think the White House had to say about rumors of the government resorting to Palantir to compile a database of ordinary Americans' personal information?
Taylor Rogers, the White House spokesperson, stated that, well, they couldn't comment on that. That didn't stop Activist Jason Bassler from claiming that this database would contain financial records, tax filings, student loans, Social Security numbers, bank accounts, medical claims, and immigration information.
Since Trump took office, Palantir has raked in over $113 million in federal contracts, with over $1.2 billion in revenue from the government in 2024. The icing on the cake? Late last month, Palantir received a brand new $795 million contract from the Department of Defense.
While streets have turned into battlegrounds, Palantir is busy building the framework for a panopticon, equipped to monitor, analyze, and - if necessary - squash. The revolution isn't lurking just around the corner; it's already in full swing. Thiel may not hold a title, but his strings are running the show. We're living in an era where we're being watched, predicted, and, if need be, silenced. Welcome to a world under Palantir's watchful gaze.
Image: Source [Ghibli Style Edited]
References:
- Thiel-Backed Data-Mining Firm Palantir Will Create Centralized Immigration Database for the U.S. Government
- [WhyObject], "Palantir: private surveillance and quenching public dissent in the United States of America,"
- ICE chooses Palantir to track its immigration enforcement operations
- ICE Plans to Deploy Palantir Software for Deportation Raids
- Palantir’s Trump-inspired business thriving
- Palantir’s Government Contract Helps It Win Over More Business
- Trump Administration to End Separation Policy, Still Deporting Kids
- AlphaWave Global Stories
- Trump firing ambassadors: Where we stand now
- The increasing use of technology in politics, such as Palantir's ImmigrationOS, raises questions about individual privacy in health, financial, and immigration records.
- In the realms of business and finance, Palantir's working relationship with various government departments has generated over $1.2 billion in revenue from the government in 2024, including a new $795 million contract from the Department of Defense.
- The General News is filled with reports of the potential creation of a database by Palantir, containing sensitive personal information, which raises concerns about transparency and privacy in the health, finance, and politics sectors.
