At the 2024 Reagan National Defense Forum, key figures from politics and industry convened to discuss global challenges and U.S. national security amidst a period of transition. A prominent voice at the forum, Palantir CEO Dr. Alex Karp, highlighted a critical issue facing the nation: a "legitimation crisis."

Speaking on a panel moderated by CNN's Abby Phillip, Dr. Karp asserted that there's a widespread lack of trust in authoritative figures. He argued that no single expert currently commands unquestioning belief from the American public. Dr. Karp believes this crisis needs urgent attention, suggesting a six-month window to address it through tangible measurements and outcomes.

He criticized the tendency to rely on platitudes and questioned the objectivity of experts, using Wall Street analysts as an example, suggesting their assessments are often influenced by personal biases. Dr. Karp sees President-elect Donald Trump's newly formed Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), headed by Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, as a vital step towards restoring legitimacy. He emphasized the importance of evaluating government spending, outputs, and their effectiveness.

By confronting this crisis, Dr. Karp believes the incoming administration can bolster America's global position and project strength to adversaries. He advocated for a position of power that instills fear in those who oppose the U.S., emphasizing that adversaries should "wake up scared and go to bed scared."

Dr. Karp, whose company provides software crucial to the military's technological capabilities, described his contribution as aiming to improve soldier morale and intimidate adversaries. He envisions a future where American soldiers are more content, enemies are apprehensive, and the U.S. maintains its dominance in the tech sector.