Why Alex Karp, the Jewish CEO of Palantir, says he ‘spends a lot of time talking to Nazis’, what is the reality?
Karp described how Palantir’s Artificial Intelligence Platform (AIP) has evolved into what he calls the “operating system of the AI era,” a technology now deeply embedded in the U.S. defense, industrial and commercial sectors. From battlefield intelligence to corporate decision-making, AIP is designed to help people make better, faster and more informed choices, Karp said.
But beyond technology, Karp’s discussion was deeply personal. Frequently quoting German thinkers and philosophers, Karp reflected on how dyslexia has shaped both his leadership and Palantir’s culture, which is rooted in intuition, meritocracy, and creative iteration.
Alex Karp on Nazis: Jewish Alex Karp ‘spends most of his time talking to Nazis’
Alex Karp’s view of the Nazis: However, a short video clip that RT shared on X after the speech was published included some unexpected quotes that required a closer look at his personality and ideological clock. In the track, Karp, who identifies as Jewish, is heard discussing his views on extremism, reportedly saying, “I spend a lot of time talking to Nazis like real Nazis.”
Just to explain himself, he continued: “Understanding what made them… One of the crazy things about people praising the Nazis these days is that there wasn’t a single Nazi who would recruit them into their movement; they would send them to the camps faster than they sent me.”
But those who know him know why he walks to work instead of driving, and regularly confronts geopolitical realities head on; They claimed that he wanted to explore extremes. While some of it can be interpreted as a philosophical critique of modern extremism, the wording and tone choices may anger some people.
Who is Alex Karp?
Alexander C. Karp is the co-founder and CEO of Palantir Technologies, a US-based software company known for its work with government agencies, departments of defense, and Fortune 500 companies. He was the eldest son of Jewish pediatrician Robert Joseph Karp and African-American artist Leah Jaynes Karp.
Born in New York in 1967, Karp holds a bachelor’s degree from Haverford College, a law degree from Stanford University, and a Ph.D. He received a doctorate in philosophy from Goethe University in Germany in 2002. Under Karp’s leadership, Palantir has grown from a niche data analytics firm founded in 2003 with the backing of Peter Thiel to one of the most influential players in artificial intelligence and national security.
Alex Karp’s political leanings
Alex Karp’s ideology: Alex Karp is considered an unconventional figure in Silicon Valley, known for his political views that range from center to center left.
While Karp described himself as a “progressive”, he also expressed strong support for Western defense alliances and strong national security policies; these positions made him both respected and controversial. He criticized what he saw as anti-defense sentiment in Silicon Valley and argued that American technology companies had a moral responsibility to support democratic rather than authoritarian governments.
Alex Karp on Zohran Mamdani and the “Woke Left”
Alex Karp is on the left: The Palantir CEO has frequently expressed his discomfort with extremes on both ends of the political spectrum, and in a recent interview with Wired, he cited what he calls the “woke left” as one of the biggest threats to his company.
Karp said their real challenge is not rival defense technology firms, but political forces that, in his view, misunderstand Palantir’s mission or oppose it. “Our competition is essentially political,” he told Wired’s Steven Levy. “The woke left and the woke are waking up every day thinking about how they can hurt Palantir.”
Alex Karp about Zohran Mamdani: Referring to Zohran Mamdani, the elected mayor of New York City, known for his left-wing policies, Karp said, “If the Mamdani wing of the Democratic Party comes to power, I will see it as my own party. But if this is the party, I am not in it.”
Karp, who describes himself as a lifelong Democrat and social liberal, expressed concern that some progressives like Mamdani take an overly idealistic or anti-defense stance that conflicts with his belief in maintaining a strong U.S. defense ecosystem.
He also criticized what he called the “woke right wing”, referring to those who “think everything is a conspiracy” and see technology as a tool of oppression rather than progress.
