Trump's Spy Deal Fuels Epstein's Fortune
Jeffrey Epstein mug shot, 2006. Photo courtesy of the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Department. Public domain.
You thought the surveillance state was the stuff of dismissed conspiracy or Hollywood thrillers? Think again.
In 2025, President Donald Trump signed off on a multi-agency government data overhaul that's now drawing fire from his supporters for reasons that sound like a dystopian fever dream.
At the heart of the storm? A $113 million (and counting) federal partnership with Peter Thiel's Palantir Technologies, a Silicon Valley firm tasked with constructing a vast AI-powered database on American citizens. Here's the kicker — a significant chunk of the profits tied to this deal is reportedly boosting the estate of none other than notorious sex criminal Jeffrey Epstein.
This strange convergence of power, tech, and scandal is lighting up both ends of the political spectrum — and not in the ways you might expect.
What Is the Database — And Why It's Causing Panic
Trump's executive order, signed in March 2025, ostensibly seeks to "eliminate information silos and streamline data collection across all agencies to increase government efficiency and save hard-earned taxpayer dollars," according to The New York Times.
The goal? Integrate personal data across the IRS, DHS, SSA, and more using Palantir's Foundry platform.
The system could include sensitive records such as tax filings, student loan balances, immigration status, and even medical claims.
Supporters say it's a step toward streamlining government services. Critics argue it resembles something out of a police state's playbook. Palantir's software, already deployed at DHS and the Department of Health and Human Services, is being adapted for real-time cross-agency analysis, and negotiations are already underway with the IRS and Social Security Administration for permanent integration.
MAGA Meltdown: 'Trump Flipped on Us'
That rollout has prompted fierce backlash from some of Trump's most devoted followers.
"TRUMP FLIPPED ON US," declared The Patriot Voice to 158,000 followers on X, according to the Irish Star.
The reaction among MAGA influencers was swift and scathing. Conservative commentators like the Hodgetwins and Nick Fuentes denounced the initiative, calling it a betrayal of the values that helped fuel Trump's rise.
Fuentes, in particular, labeled it "the ultimate betrayal of his own people" and claimed it was feeding Trump supporters into "an AI database controlled by a CIA/Mossad cutout," according to the Irish Star.
Social media was flooded with expressions of confusion and outrage, with Newsweek reporting one user writing, "Was MAGA a giant psyop?"
The American Civil Liberties Union also weighed in with Cody Venzke, senior policy counsel at the ACLU, saying, "AI platforms like those built by Palantir are the key to pulling together the many data points the government has on each of us—your political donations, governmental benefits, movements, and perhaps firearm records, could someday be a single click away for dozens of governmental agencies," according to Newsweek.
Enter: Epstein's Estate
Yet surveillance is only the tip of the iceberg. The plot thickens.
In 2015 and 2016, Epstein quietly invested $40 million into two funds managed by Valar Ventures — a firm co-founded by Peter Thiel. Today, that investment is reportedly worth $170 million, making it the single largest asset in Epstein's estate.
Because Valar's gains may be partially driven by Palantir's soaring profile and government contracts, there is concern that Epstein's beneficiaries — among them a former girlfriend and two long-time advisers — stand to benefit from a government surveillance apparatus.
Legal experts say it's unlikely any of the approximately 200 victims who settled with the estate will see additional money from this windfall due to the sweeping legal releases they signed in exchange for their payouts.
How Did We Get Here?
Palantir has worked with the U.S. government for years, including under the Obama and Biden administrations. However, the Trump administration's expansion of Palantir's footprint is unprecedented. The firm is now tied to contracts totaling over $113 million — and a pending $795 million award from the Department of Defense.
Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency — colloquially called DOGE — reportedly played a key role in Palantir's selection. At least five DOGE members previously worked at Palantir or Thiel-backed companies.
Palantir insists it's just a tool. "We act as a data processor, not a data controller," the company stated, according to the Irish Star.
Yet some of its own employees have voiced discomfort. In an open letter signed by 13 former staffers, they urged Palantir to rethink its role in the Trump initiative. One engineer, Linda Xia, warned, "Data that is collected for one reason should not be repurposed for other uses. Combining all that data, even with the noblest of intentions, significantly increases the risk of misuse," according to The New York Times.
What Happens Next?
Palantir is currently in talks to expand into the Social Security Administration and Department of Education.
Lawsuits have already been filed by advocacy groups concerned about civil liberties and misuse of data.
Meanwhile, Epstein's estate remains tangled in controversy. Though his victims have been paid out, the trust that controls the remaining assets — including the Valar investment — remains secret. Beneficiaries may still walk away with tens of millions six years after Epstein's death in federal custody.
Trump hasn't commented directly on the backlash from his supporters. But as this digital infrastructure takes shape, it's clear the president who promised to "drain the swamp" is navigating deeper and murkier waters than ever before.
References: Jeffrey Epstein Invested With Peter Thiel, and His Estate Is Reaping Millions | 'Trump Flipped On Us': MAGA Reacts to Potential National Citizen Database | Trump Taps Palantir to Compile Data on Americans | MAGA Base Rocked by Trump's 'Unnerving' Citizen Database Sparking Surveillance Fears | Epstein's Secret Investment With GOP Mastermind Nets Estate $130 Million
