Palantir Technologies Reports Strong Earnings and Stands Firm on Values
During an earnings call on Monday, Palantir Technologies CEO Alex Karp declared that his company is “the first to be completely anti-woke.” He praised Palantir employees as champions of free speech, emphasizing their commitment to principles like meritocracy and advanced technology, which he believes have driven the company’s success in developing software for businesses and the US government. This, he noted, has allowed Palantir to deliver impressive results for everyday Americans.
The defense and data giant reported nearly $1.2 billion in revenue for the September quarter, representing a remarkable 63% increase from the same period last year. Palantir described this growth as “accelerating and otherworldly.”
Particularly notable was Palantir’s performance in the US, where revenue more than doubled to $397 million, a 121% increase, while revenue from the US government rose by 52% to $486 million. Karp remarked that these results could be among the best ever recorded by any software company.
Understanding Anti-Wokeness
The term “anti-woke” refers to a political stance opposing progressive ideas centered on social justice, diversity, and inclusion. Over the past year, there has been a noticeable shift in Silicon Valley, with some tech leaders openly supporting anti-woke sentiments, including praise for former President Donald Trump.
Karp pointed out that Palantir’s work supports controversial issues, stating, “We power ICE” and highlighting the company’s backing of Israel. He expressed confusion over why these topics spark controversy.
He also emphasized maintaining a unique company culture, stating his goal is to keep Palantir as “tribal and cultish” as it was 20 years ago by selecting the right people to join the team.
In contrast, Lisa Gordon, the company’s communications chief and a self-identified Democrat, raised concerns about the company’s political leanings during a recent tech summit.
Karp did not shy away from discussing issues like border security and the need to address the struggles of average Americans. Interestingly, he also voiced support for Kamala Harris’ 2024 presidential campaign, advocating for a return to a shared national experience and a common identity among citizens.
