Palantir Technologies CEO Alex Karp has said he is open to supporting a Democratic presidential candidate in the 2028 U.S. election, despite his company’s growing business ties with President Donald Trump’s administration.
In an interview with Politico’s Playbook published November 11, Karp described himself as a lifelong Democrat and progressive, arguing that the party had corrected some of its earlier positions and could regain his political support.
“I’ve been a Democrat my whole life. I grew up in a far left environment. I know more about being a progressive than almost anybody on the planet, and I absolutely believe Palantir—all of our products are essentially progressive,” Karp said.
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However, he made clear that his willingness to support Democrats would not extend to every candidate. He expressed opposition to candidates associated with the Democratic Socialists of America, criticizing the organization’s positions on Jewish people and Black Americans.
Karp questions Democrats’ economic approach
Karp identified economic inequality and economic justice as important considerations for his potential support in 2028.
“I’m really not pitching Palantir. I’m actually pitching, ‘What are you gonna do about economic justice in this country?'” he told Politico. He argued that capitalism alone cannot address every economic challenge facing Americans and suggested Democrats could appeal to centrist and center-left voters by focusing on economic fairness.
Karp also said his political contributions were not restricted to one party. “My giving is equal Democrat, Republican,” he said, describing his financial support as balanced between the two parties.
Palantir’s Trump administration contracts complicate political picture
Karp’s remarks are notable because Palantir has expanded its relationship with the federal government under Trump, particularly in defense, artificial intelligence and immigration enforcement.
The company’s software supports the Pentagon’s Maven Smart System, which helps military personnel process battlefield information and analyze potential targets. Its ImmigrationOS platform has also been associated with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations.
Palantir’s work with immigration authorities has attracted criticism from civil liberties advocates and technology workers concerned about the company’s role in deportation operations.
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Karp also acknowledged concerns about the administration’s immigration enforcement approach. He welcomed Trump’s public acknowledgment that the crackdown may have gone too far, saying he was pleased the president was expressing publicly what Karp had previously communicated privately.
No formal 2028 endorsement
Karp’s comments do not amount to a formal endorsement of a Democratic presidential candidate or a commitment to support a particular campaign.
His position nevertheless illustrates the complicated relationship between technology executives, federal government contracts and political donations in Washington and Silicon Valley. With the 2028 presidential election approaching, Karp’s potential support could attract attention from both parties, particularly given Palantir’s growing role in government technology and national security operations.