Epstein Files Reveal Tech Elites' Connections; Palantir Under Scrutiny for AI Use
Newly released documents related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein have revealed extensive connections between the disgraced financier and figures in the Silicon Valley tech world, while data analytics firm Palantir faces scrutiny for its use of artificial intelligence (AI) tools by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The Department of Justice (DOJ) released approximately 3.5 million pages of files in response to the Epstein Files Transparency Act of November 19, 2025, painting a portrait of Epstein's network, according to Wired.
The files show that billionaire venture capitalist Peter Thiel appeared at least 2,200 times in the documents. The records demonstrate how Epstein cultivated an extensive network of wealthy and influential figures in Silicon Valley, according to Wired. The files show that Thiel arranged to meet with Epstein several times between 2014 and 2017, according to Wired.
Other tech figures mentioned in the files include Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates, who has long been associated with Epstein rumors, and Elon Musk, who had less of an established connection prior to the release, according to Wired. It is important to note that appearing in the Epstein files does not necessarily imply wrongdoing.
Meanwhile, Palantir Technologies is facing scrutiny for its AI work with the HHS. Since March 2025, HHS has been using AI tools from Palantir to screen and audit grants, grant applications, and job descriptions for noncompliance with President Donald Trump's executive orders targeting gender ideology and anything related to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), according to Wired, citing a recently published inventory of all use cases HHS had for AI in 2025. Neither Palantir nor HHS has publicly announced that the company's software was being used for these purposes, according to Wired. During the first year of Trump's second term, Palantir earned more than $35 million in payments and obligations from HHS alone, according to Wired.
Despite this controversy, Palantir is experiencing financial success. On Monday, Palantir Technologies declared, "We are an n of 1 in the artificial intelligence software market," as the data analytics group reported record quarterly results, sending its shares surging nearly 8% in late trading, according to Fortune. CEO Alex Karp stated on the earnings call about "one of the truly iconic performances in the history of corporate performance or technology," according to Fortune. He argued that Palantir's results would be "stellar, unusual, and sublime" for a company that was in a much earlier stage of its development, according to Fortune.
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