The influence of Palantir goes far beyond technology
A new profile published by The Washington Post shows how Joe Lonsdale, Palantir’s cofounder, went from a Silicon Valley entrepreneur to an influential figure in shaping Trump administration policies.
Through the Cicero Institute, an organization created by Lonsdale, ideas that were once considered marginal gained traction in topics such as public safety, housing, education, and especially homelessness. According to the newspaper, proposals backed by the institute helped drive 214 laws in 29 states since 2021.
The influence also reached the White House: Cicero experts maintained regular contact with members of the government and helped shape policies on homelessness. Lonsdale also has close ties with names such as Elon Musk and JD Vance.
The case points to an important shift: billionaires and technology business leaders are not only building companies — they are increasingly trying to redesign the state itself.
The question is whether this represents a necessary modernization of government or an excessive concentration of power in the hands of a small tech elite.
A new profile published by The Washington Post shows how Joe Lonsdale, Palantir’s cofounder, went from a Silicon Valley entrepreneur to an influential figure in shaping Trump administration policies.
Through the Cicero Institute, an organization created by Lonsdale, ideas that were once considered marginal gained traction in topics such as public safety, housing, education, and especially homelessness. According to the newspaper, proposals backed by the institute helped drive 214 laws in 29 states since 2021.
The influence also reached the White House: Cicero experts maintained regular contact with members of the government and helped shape policies on homelessness. Lonsdale also has close ties with names such as Elon Musk and JD Vance.
The case points to an important shift: billionaires and technology business leaders are not only building companies — they are increasingly trying to redesign the state itself.
The question is whether this represents a necessary modernization of government or an excessive concentration of power in the hands of a small tech elite.
