Anthropic makes Claude, the only large language model cleared for classified US government use|@AnthropicAI|X
Anthropic has raised $30 billion in fresh funding but now faces growing political tension in Washington.
During the fundraising round, the AI startup approached 1789 Capital, a venture firm that has Donald Trump Jr. as a partner. The company considered investing but ultimately declined, citing ideological concerns.
People close to the matter say the main reasons were the Anthropic leadership’s past criticism of President Donald Trump, the company’s support for AI regulation, and hiring former Biden administration officials.
Despite that setback, Anthropic secured backing from major investors and remains financially strong at a $380 billion valuation.
Tension with the Pentagon
Anthropic makes Claude, the only large language model cleared for classified US government use. The company partnered with Palantir Technologies in 2024 and won a Defense Department contract worth up to $200 million.
Tensions are rising with the Pentagon, as defense officials seek to make AI models available for all lawful military uses. Meanwhile, Anthropic opposes certain applications, including domestic surveillance and autonomous lethal operations.
Defense leaders are reviewing the partnership. Some officials have even discussed labeling the company a potential supply-chain risk and limiting its use by the government.