Trump calls cities opposed to data centers ‘backwards and poor.’ KY politicians push back
Former President Donald Trump called communities opposing data centers "backwards and poor," drawing strong rebuke from Kentucky politicians across both parties. State representatives and the Governor are pushing back on the narrative, highlighting concerns about environmental impact, energy consumption, and the financial burden on ratepayers versus tax breaks for corporations. Lawmakers have previously blocked proposals to regulate data centers while passing significant tax incentives.
Former President Donald Trump recently asserted on social media that communities opposing data center development are "backwards and poor," and suggested that China is influencing the anti-data center movement. This statement has provoked strong bipartisan criticism from Kentucky officials.
Kentucky state representatives, including Democrat Adam Moore of Lexington and Republican Savannah Maddox of Dry Ridge, along with U.S. Rep. Thomas Massie, have publicly rebuked Trump's comments. They argue that concerns over data centers' environmental impact, high energy consumption, low job creation, and the financial burden on utility ratepayers are legitimate and do not signify a desire to be "backwards."
Moore highlighted that Kentucky's Republican Supermajority passed tax breaks to attract data centers, yet simultaneously, the state legislature blocked proposals to regulate these facilities. Governor Andy Beshear, a Democrat, also voiced support for rolling back incentives, stating that wealthy data center companies do not require them. A Kentucky Center for Economic Policy analysis indicates the state could lose billions in sales tax revenue due to these exemptions.
Massie, who has previously opposed policies favoring data centers, criticized Trump's remarks as a "new directive" for his supporters. Maddox emphasized the desire for rural communities to remain rural and questioned the conversion of arable land for data centers, asserting that "rural doesn't mean 'backwards and poor' and development doesn't always equate to being 'successful and rich.'"