Palantir Named A ‘Top Supporter’ At CBC Foundation's Annual Conference

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The controversial data and AI firm, which has millions of dollars of contracts with ICE, has been trying to curry favor with Democratic-aligned groups.

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A controversial data and artificial intelligence company was acknowledged as a supporter of the annual gala of the Congressional Black Caucus’ charitable arm — the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation — even as Democrats have increasingly committed to rejecting funding from the firm.

Palantir supported the foundation’s 55th annual legislative conference less than a week after the group’s Latino counterpart, the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute, publicly returned a donation from the company over its contracts with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, which has used its technology to track and identify undocumented immigrants for deportation.

The Palantir name and logo appeared on several major signage materials throughout the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C., last week, according to photos HuffPost obtained and reviewed.

@the1ajsolo via Threads

On one digital banner that led to the vendor hall expo, the firm was listed among the conference’s “top supporters.” The background featured a faded portrait of Shirley Chisholm, the first Black woman elected to Congress, whose campaign motto “unbought and unbossed” symbolized resistance to corporate influence.

The Palantir name was also on a table placard at the marquee Phoenix Awards gala on Saturday, where the group honored actress Viola Davis, civil rights activist Andrew Young and former Virginia Gov. Douglas Wilder.

Palantir has long sought to curry favor with Democratic-aligned institutions even as its partnerships with ICE, the Pentagon and other government agencies have emerged as major flashpoints within the party. ICE alone has about $145 million worth of contracts with Palantir, according to the American Civil Liberties Union. The AI company’s founders, including GOP donors Peter Thiel and Joe Lonsdale, advocate for a range of conservative causes.

Several Democratic lawmakers and candidates have returned, donated, or vowed to reject future campaign contributions from Palantir Technologies executives and PACs, including Sen. Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.). Rep. Darren Soto (D-Fla.), who chairs CHCI, ordered Palantir’s donation to the caucus to be returned as soon as he learned about it, according to Migrant Insider.

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It’s unclear what the CBCF-Palantir relationship entailed, including how much money the firm donated to CBCF or whether the company received benefits such as panel access, attendee data or speaking opportunities.

In a statement to HuffPost, Palantir said the company’s support was “designed to bolster ongoing efforts to provide internships and fellowships” and to help build CBCF’s “capacity around technology and innovation.”

“Palantir is proud and honored to support the CBC Foundation’s mission of creating pathways for promising young people to enter public service who may not have the networks or financial means to do so without support,” the statement continued.

CBCF President and CEO Nicole Austin-Hillery told HuffPost their organization “evaluates its partnerships independently and in accordance with its mission.” She said Palantir was a supporter, not a sponsor, of the event, but she did not say what the differences were. She did not respond to questions about the terms of relationship, whether ICE contracts factored into vetting supporting organizations, or address the contrast with CHCI’s decision.

The acceptance of support, however, appears to contrast with messaging many members of the Congressional Black Caucus have long espoused on immigration enforcement and civil liberties. (CHCI and CBCF were both founded in the 1970s to serve as the nonpartisan education and leadership arms of their respective caucuses. Lawmakers from each caucus typically sit on their foundation’s board, closely tying the organizations to the members they represent even though they operate independently.)

The Congressional Black Caucus has 62 members across the House and Senate. Ten of them signed a letter in April questioning Department of Homeland Security leadership about how they deployed Palantir’s technology, arguing it was helping create a “mass surveillance ecosystem.”

The CBC’s communications office declined to comment and referred HuffPost to its foundation. A spokesperson for Rep. Yvette Clarke (D-N.Y.), who chairs the caucus, said her office could not comment. HuffPost reached out to five other prominent CBC members, and none responded to requests for comment.

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