Opinion | Wisconsin voters deal blow to Trump’s data center dreams

Voters in Port Washington, Wisconsin, a Milwaukee suburb, have delivered a significant blow to President Donald Trump’s data center agenda by approving a ballot measure that mandates voter approval for future tax-subsidized development districts. This initiative, passed by a 2-to-1 margin, directly responds to a planned $15 billion, 1.3-gigawatt 'Stargate' AI megaproject in Port Washington, which will be operated by OpenAI and Oracle with support from the Trump administration. While the referendum will not derail the data center currently under construction, it aims to prevent similar projects in the future by requiring city officials to secure public consent before awarding lucrative tax incentives to developers. The move underscores growing bipartisan backlash against data centers, driven by concerns over their environmental impact and their tendency to elevate energy costs in surrounding communities. Representatives for OpenAI and Oracle have not yet commented on the vote. The Port Washington ballot measure is now being challenged in court, but its success has national implications, with experts suggesting it could inspire similar referendums in other states. This development highlights a rising tide of local opposition that could complicate the rapid expansion of data center infrastructure promoted by figures like former President Trump and supported by major tech executives.