Trump blasts data center critics: 'Backwards and poor'
President Donald Trump has expressed strong support for data center development across the U.S., calling them a "golden goose" despite public and environmental opposition. His administration has taken steps to fast-track permits and ease regulations, leading to legal challenges against companies like Microsoft and xAI for alleged pollution-permitting violations, particularly concerning a Microsoft-backed data center in New Jersey.
Donald Trump has firmly endorsed data center development across the U.S., describing them as a "golden goose" that brings jobs, wealth, and lower taxes, and warning that communities rejecting them risk becoming "backwards and poor." His stance, expressed on Truth Social and at a cryptocurrency leaders' meeting, contrasts with a majority of U.S. citizens and even some in his own party who oppose data centers due to environmental destruction, noise, and water constraints.
The former president's administration has actively supported Big Tech-backed data centers, aiming to establish a nationwide AI infrastructure to compete with China. Actions include signing an executive order to fast-track federal permitting, lobbying for expedited electricity grid connections, and pushing for approvals of data center manufacturing chemicals.
Despite these efforts, data centers face mounting legal challenges. For instance, SpacexAI (formerly xAI) and Microsoft have been accused of violating pollution-permitting laws. A recent accusation by Floodlight stated a Microsoft-backed "DataOne" data center in New Jersey operated unpermitted gas-powered generators. In response, the federal government has introduced a Ratepayer Protection Pledge to mitigate energy grid costs for local communities and has even threatened that enforcing environmental laws could pose a "national security threat" to the Department of War's AI capabilities. The Environmental Protection Agency is reportedly planning to scrap a federal rule requiring public notice for air permits, shifting the responsibility to local agencies.