Trump says AI data center opponents want to be 'backwards and poor'
Former US President Donald Trump criticized opponents of artificial intelligence data centers, arguing they would become "backwards and poor" and aid China. This comes as opposition to data centers, driven by concerns over energy consumption and rising electricity bills, has become a significant issue in the upcoming US midterm elections. Vice President JD Vance presented a more nuanced view, emphasizing the need for data centers to contribute to the power grid, while noting a $7 billion investment in a Michigan hyperscale data center campus.
US President Donald Trump publicly criticized opponents of artificial intelligence (AI) data centers, asserting on his Truth Social platform that such opposition would leave communities "backwards and poor" while benefiting rival China. Trump emphasized that allowing "Data Reign" would lead to success, lower taxes, and job creation, warning against "killing the Golden Goose." This stance comes as the backlash against energy-intensive data centers has emerged as an unexpected issue in the upcoming US midterm elections, with polls indicating a majority of Americans, including both Republicans and Democrats, oppose new data center construction due to rising electricity bills and noise.
The article highlights that this growing opposition poses a challenge for Republicans, who are already at risk of losing Congress. Despite reports suggesting China may be fueling anti-data center sentiment, Trump did not repeat these allegations but noted China's satisfaction with the situation. Separately, Vice President JD Vance, visiting Michigan, adopted a more nuanced perspective. Vance, a former tech investor, stated that most opposition arises where data centers cause higher utility costs, suggesting that facilities should be designed to contribute power to the grid. The White House confirmed that OpenAI, Oracle, and Related Digital are investing over $7 billion in a hyperscale data center campus in Michigan.