MAGA base erupts as Trump admin’s Palantir-powered national citizen database sparks outrage and distrust

A growing number of US president Donald Trump’s most loyal supporters are voicing shock, anger, and a deep sense of betrayal after reports emerged that his administration advanced plans to build a national citizen database with tech firm Palantir Technologies, as per a report.

White House and Palantir's Contract

According to government officials and Palantir employees who spoke with The New York Times on anonymity, the White House has contracted with Palantir, an analytics firm which was co-founded by Trump supporter Peter Thiel, to help with compiling a database of personal information on American citizens, reported Newsweek.

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Social Media Backlash Against Donald Trump

The backlash began on social media platforms like X (previously Twitter) and was even criticised by Trump's own core base, which is known as "MAGA", as per the report. People drew a comparison between the centralised database effort and surveillance initiatives in authoritarian regimes, reported Newsweek.

The Patriot Voice wrote on an X post, "People are so quick to suggest that I flipped on Trump...No, no, no...I didn't flip on Trump. TRUMP FLIPPED ON US. I'm just not willing to continue living in a LIE, and I will tell you the unfortunate TRUTH about it," as quoted by Newsweek.

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A far-right Trump supporter, Nick Fuentes, pointed out that the association between the Trump administration and Palantir "the ultimate betrayal of his own people," as quoted in the report

Fuentes wrote on X, "Feeding every 'MAGA extremist' into an AI database controlled by a CIA/Mossad cutout," adding, "Seriously, if Palantir isn't the deep state, then what is?" quoted Newsweek.

While, Ashton Nichols said on X, "The cope is unreal," adding, "I voted for Trump but this is just unacceptable," as quoted in the report.

A former Republican representative, Justin Amash, told Newsweek, "The surveillance state...the police state...the deep state......are alive & well under Trump. He signed bills to extend & expand mass surveillance. Now he's building profiles' on millions of law-abiding Americans. It's an extraordinary threat to liberty," as quoted in the report.

FAQs

Is this database real?
The report is based on claims from unnamed officials and Palantir employees speaking to The New York Times. No official confirmation has been issued by the Trump administration or Palantir yet.

Are supporters comparing this to authoritarian surveillance?
Yes. Many MAGA users on X say this mirrors tactics used by oppressive regimes.