Palantir Technologies CEO Alex Karp made headlines after declaring his company the “first to be completely anti-woke,” a statement that has ignited fresh debate across Silicon Valley and the broader tech industry. Speaking during a recent earnings call, Karp praised his workforce as champions of meritocracy and free speech, describing them as people “fighting for the right side of what should work in this country.” He linked these values to Palantir’s success in creating cutting-edge data and defense software for both private enterprises and the U.S. government, as reported by Business Insider.

Financially, Palantir showcased record-breaking growth, reporting nearly $1.2 billion in quarterly revenue, a 63% surge compared to the same period last year. Karp labeled the company’s momentum as “accelerating and otherworldly growth,” noting that U.S. revenue had more than doubled jumping 121% to $397 million while government contracts climbed 52% to $486 million. “These are arguably the best results that any software company has ever delivered,” Karp asserted, underlining his conviction that Palantir’s ideological clarity fuels its business edge.

The term “anti-woke” has become a flashpoint in U.S. corporate and political discourse, referring to opposition to progressive movements emphasizing diversity, inclusion, and social equity. In recent months, parts of Silicon Valley have leaned more openly toward anti-woke positions and support for former U.S. President Donald Trump. Tech figures such as Meta’s Mark Zuckerberg and OpenAI’s Sam Altman have been reported to express warmer attitudes toward Trump’s policies at a White House dinner. Karp openly addressed Palantir’s work with controversial clients, remarking, “We power ICE. We’ve supported Israel. Many people find that controversial.”

Within Palantir, Karp has doubled down on cultivating what he calls a “tribal and cultish” corporate culture, claiming this insularity sustains innovation and loyalty. He said he is intent on “choosing the right people” to maintain the company’s 20-year identity. Still, dissenting voices within the firm remain: Lisa Gordon, Palantir’s communications chief and a self-identified Democrat, described the company’s growing alignment with Trump’s ideology as “concerning.” Despite this, Karp—who has also donated to Vice President Kamala Harris’s 2024 campaign has called for a “return to a shared national experience” and a “common identity,” suggesting his vision of patriotism transcends party lines.