They Opposed a Billionaire’s Data Center—So He Called Them Chinese Spies

Billionaire investor Kevin O'Leary, known as "Mr. Wonderful" from Shark Tank, made headlines by publicly accusing critics of his Utah data center project, including political consultants Gabi Finlayson and Jackie Morgan, of being Chinese government operatives. This unusual attack came after Finlayson and Morgan raised concerns about the Stratus project, a giant data center O'Leary is backing in Utah.

The Stratus data center is being built directly on top of the Great Salt Lake's watershed and is projected to be among the largest in the world, occupying a plot of land twice the size of Manhattan. Critics, including Finlayson and Morgan, have highlighted massive implications for Utah's water, air, and temperatures, urging continued public pushback against the development.

Hundreds of Utah residents expressed their opposition at a Box Elder County Commission meeting. The public pushback has been broad and bipartisan, encompassing online activities, in-person protests, and appearances at county commission and state agency meetings, indicating widespread discontent across the state. Despite this significant opposition, the Box Elder County Commission approved the plan. This approval was described by critics as a "rubber stamp," given that a state agency, the Military Installation Development Authority (MAIDA), had already advanced the project.

Despite the commission's approval, activists, including Finlayson and Morgan, continue to find creative solutions and ways to push back against the Stratus project. They believe their ongoing efforts are yielding results by raising awareness and mobilizing public sentiment against the development.