Trump builds a massive surveillance state using taxpayer dollars

In the United States, since Donald Trump's second term, the administration has been forming partnerships with technology firms, particularly Palantir Technologies. This collaboration includes creating a vast database that encompasses personal information on hundreds of millions of Americans. It has been reported that the Department of Government Efficiency is working to provide Trump-aligned technocrats access to this private information with a goal of centralizing data collection. This rise in surveillance is viewed as contradictory to Trump's earlier stance against the deep state, as the administration now works closely with who some consider the enemies of free governance. Palantir, a private data analysis firm associated with intelligence agencies, has been significantly involved in these efforts, holding contracts worth over $113 million since Trump took office. The company aims to pitch its data technology to various government agencies. Critics have raised alarms about the implications of this data collection, speculating its potential use in creating social credit systems, tracking gun owners, and preemptively identifying criminals in the future. Within this context, political figures such as JD Vance express a commitment to the “America First” movement, calling attention to the need for the political elite to return to serving the interests of everyday citizens. Vance and others, including Marco Rubio, have acknowledged the failures of American leaders in maintaining the social contract with their constituents. They argue that the governing class has drifted away from the essential needs of the populace in recent decades. Contrary to the belief that building a surveillance state began during Trump's administration, it is noted as a long-term project of the U.S. government, essentially starting post-World War II. There are concerns about the future implications of an expanded surveillance state, particularly if it continues to grow under the direction of those aligned with Trump and his administration. Vance's prominent role and rising popularity within these circles tell a broader story of how the deep state and technological advancements are intersecting in American governance, reflecting a sustained shift in the relationship between the government and its citizens.