Who is John Galt?

Who is John Galt?

The question is more than the opening line of Ayn Rand’s Atlas Shrugged, it has become a defiant rallying cry for those pushing back against authoritarian government overreach.

But what does it really mean?

In this powerful video, Jennifer Grossman, CEO of The Atlas Society, unpacks the deeper meaning behind one of Ayn Rand’s most iconic phrases. From its mysterious appearance in the novel’s first pages to its adoption by individuals pushing back against collectivism and statism, “Who is John Galt?” captures the spirit of individualism and heroic achievement.

Whether you're a longtime fan of Rand or just now exploring her work, this video invites you to discover why this simple question continues to resonate — and what it says about the kind of world we ought to build.