Trump doubles down on data centers as polling shows majority of Americans oppose them
President Trump is vocally supporting data centers, arguing they are crucial for economic prosperity and global competitiveness, despite recent polls indicating a majority of Americans oppose them. His stance contrasts with actions by governors in New York and Texas, who have implemented measures to restrict data center development due to concerns over electricity and water usage.
President Trump has reiterated his strong support for data centers, asserting on Truth Social that communities rejecting them risk becoming "backwards and poor." He argues that data centers bring economic booms through jobs and lower taxes, and are vital for maintaining America's competitive edge in the global economy, particularly against countries like China.
This comes amidst growing national backlash against data centers, with March and May Gallup polls showing a majority of Americans oppose their construction in local areas, preferring even nuclear power plants over them. This opposition is linked to broader unease regarding the rapid expansion of artificial intelligence, social media influence, and the financial gains of major tech companies. Concerns primarily revolve around the vast land requirements, significant electricity consumption leading to higher utility bills, and substantial water use for cooling, which raises environmental worries.
Despite Trump's pro-data center stance, some state leaders are taking action. New York Democratic Governor Kathy Hochul recently signed an executive order imposing a year-long ban on new large data center construction. Similarly, Texas Governor Greg Abbott, a Republican, has implemented a temporary pause on new data center grid connections and initiated an audit to investigate their impact on electricity costs.
Trump has criticized these restrictive measures, advocating for his "Ratepayer Protection Pledge" which would require developers to fund new energy infrastructure. He maintains that the economic benefits, including substantial jobs and tax revenues, outweigh any perceived drawbacks, despite projections showing data centers' electricity usage could reach 12% of the US total by 2030.