Trump: Reject Data Centers, Stay "Backwards and Poor"
Former President Donald Trump criticized communities that reject data centers, stating they risk becoming "backwards and poor" by foregoing investment and tax revenue. His remarks sparked debate, drawing pushback from both Republican and Democratic lawmakers. The discussion highlighted the existing presence of data centers even in affluent areas, advocating for communities to set reasonable guardrails and collect revenue rather than offering excessive incentives.
Former President Donald Trump stated on Truth Social that communities throughout the USA should welcome data centers, arguing that rejecting them would lead to being "backwards and poor." He emphasized that data centers bring jobs, investment, and lower taxes, warning communities that turn them away could be "killing the golden goose."
Trump's comments provoked reactions from both sides of the political spectrum. Republican Congressman Tim Burchett of Tennessee responded, "I guess I'm backwards and poor." Similarly, Democratic Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York mocked the argument by suggesting a data center be built at Mar-a-Lago to see Trump's response.
The video's host countered Ocasio-Cortez's point, stating that multiple data centers already operate within two miles of Mar-a-Lago, with dozens more in the surrounding county and over a hundred across the state of Florida. The host argued that the presence of data centers in wealthy areas disproves the notion that they are solely for less affluent communities.
Ultimately, the host concluded that the most effective approach for communities is to avoid showering data centers with incentives. Instead, they should require data centers to pay their own way, establish reasonable guardrails, protect existing communities, and ensure they collect the due revenue.