Utah Senator, Fox News Apologize for Linking Data Center Opponents to China
Utah Sen. Todd Weiler, Kevin O'Leary, and Fox News have issued apologies and clarifications regarding false allegations that opponents of the Box Elder County data center project are linked to China. Businessman Kevin O'Leary, through O'Leary Digital, had suggested groups like Alliance for a Better Utah and Elevate Strategies were "proxies for the Chinese government" in their opposition, claims now retracted due to lack of evidence. The data center project itself faces opposition over environmental and water resource concerns.
Utah Senator Todd Weiler, businessman Kevin O'Leary, and Fox News have issued apologies or clarifications concerning false accusations made last May against opponents of a controversial data center project in Box Elder County, Utah. The accusations suggested that groups opposing the project, specifically Alliance for a Better Utah and Elevate Strategies, had ties to the Chinese government.
Kevin O'Leary, who is spearheading the data center plans through O'Leary Digital, initially claimed on Fox Business that foes of his initiative were "proxies for the Chinese government" and the "CCP at work." Fox News journalist Maria Bartiromo later apologized on behalf of the news outlet, stating there was no evidence that the two groups were funded by or acting at the direction of Chinese interests. Senator Weiler, who had previously echoed these claims based on O'Leary Digital's information, posted an apology on social media, admitting he was "duped" and had relied on faulty information.
While O'Leary's chief executive Paul Palandjian stated Kevin O'Leary's social media post was intended to clarify the record, O'Leary himself did not issue a direct apology, but rather stated he had no evidence of Chinese funding for the groups or individuals named. The Box Elder County data center proposal, which includes plans for up to 9.5 gigawatts of power-generating capacity, has generated widespread debate and fierce opposition, primarily due to environmental impact and concerns over scarce water resources. O'Leary and his allies have touted the project as crucial for national security.