At the 2024 Reagan National Defense Forum on Saturday, politicians and industry leaders convened to discuss America’s national security in a time of global upheaval. Among the voices sounding the alarm was Palantir CEO Dr. Alex Karp, who warned that the United States is experiencing a “legitimation crisis” — a dangerous erosion of trust in institutions and experts. He underscored that the incoming Trump administration has a “massive mandate” to address this challenge.
“There is no one in this country, no expert, where they say something and the American people are going to say ‘I 100% believe that’s true,’” Karp explained during a panel moderated by CNN’s Abby Phillip. According to Karp, the nation has a limited window of about six months to “cure” this crisis, emphasizing that measurable results — not empty platitudes — are the only solution.
He cited President-elect Trump’s new Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) as a vital step in restoring legitimacy. Led by Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, DOGE is tasked with scrutinizing government spending and ensuring accountability. “We have to measure what it is being spent on. What is the output? Is the input less than the output? And then you have to explain, what is that output?” Karp said.
Karp believes that rebuilding trust domestically is crucial for projecting strength internationally. “We need to stand up and those people need to be scared,” he warned, referring to adversaries like Russia, China, Iran, and North Korea. He argued that these nations exploit America’s desire for peace and domestic comfort, noting, “They will take advantage of our niceness, kindness, our desire to be at home in Nebraska or New Hampshire… They need to wake up scared and go to bed scared.”
Dr. Karp’s company, Palantir, provides the software backbone for much of the U.S. military’s technology, giving his insights weight in defense circles. He views his contribution to national security as ensuring that “soldiers are happier” and “enemies are scared,” confident that America’s technological edge will ensure victory.
His message aligns with the broader conservative call for a return to a Reagan-era “peace through strength” philosophy. Trump’s incoming administration appears ready to adopt this strategy, aiming to restore American confidence and dominance on the world stage.
As the U.S. faces a complex web of international threats, Karp’s call to address the legitimation crisis through accountability and measurable outcomes offers a roadmap to a better future.
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