Key facts
- Donald Trump criticized opposition to data center projects, linking it to economic decline.
Donald Trump has criticized communities opposing data center projects, warning that rejecting them risks becoming "backwards and poor." He stated that such opposition benefits China and urged communities to embrace data centers for economic success and job creation.
The debate over data center development highlights a growing tension between economic growth driven by AI infrastructure and local community concerns regarding environmental impact, utility costs, and resource strain. Donald Trump's intervention injects a high-profile political dimension into these local disputes, potentially influencing policy and public opinion ahead of elections.
Donald Trump has strongly criticized communities across the U.S. that are pushing back against data center projects, warning that such opposition risks leading to economic stagnation and poverty. In a Truth Social post, Trump asserted that communities should embrace data centers to achieve success, wealth, lower taxes, and job creation, stating, "If they want to be successful and rich, with far lower taxes and jobs all over the place, let Data Reign."
He suggested that opposition to these developments plays into the hands of China, stating, "The good news is that there are plenty of other places that want them. If we kill the Golden Goose, you will only have yourselves to blame. China could not be happier with this anti Data Center movement."
Responding to Trump's remarks, U.S. Vice President JD Vance acknowledged that data centers are "an important part of the AI economy." However, he noted that backlash often occurs in areas where building a data center leads to higher utility costs for residents. Vance suggested that companies should ensure they contribute power back to the grid, which would make data centers less controversial.
Despite Trump's stance, public opposition to data centers is significant. A poll found that three-quarters of Americans would oppose a data center being built next to their homes, with over six in 10 strongly opposing such proposals. Furthermore, grassroots groups have successfully blocked or delayed at least 75 data center projects, valued at approximately $130 billion, in the first three months of 2026. Communities like Monterey Park, California, and Wake County, North Carolina, have won their resistance efforts. Environmental groups, citing climate concerns and water resource issues, have also urged Congress to halt new data center development.