Trump says 'backwards and poor' awaits those not embracing data centers

Former President Donald Trump asserted on Truth Social that communities rejecting data centers would suffer economically, becoming "backwards and poor." He lauded the benefits, including lower taxes and job creation, and criticized the "anti-data center movement" as detrimental to the U.S., suggesting China would benefit from such opposition.

Locally in Ohio, critics have raised significant concerns about the environmental impact of data centers, specifically citing their considerable electricity and water consumption. They also note a recent trend of data centers being powered by natural gas, a move that draws environmental scrutiny. While acknowledging the short-term income tax benefits from construction jobs, opponents argue these are not long-term gains.

Steve Stivers, president and CEO of the Ohio Chamber of Commerce, countered some environmental arguments, stating that natural gas plants, even massive ones, would have less air quality impact than the coal power currently used in Ohio. He emphasized the importance of economic growth balanced with environmental protection. The debate has escalated into a major issue for the 2026 midterm elections, with both Democratic and a growing number of Republican candidates adopting anti-data center stances due to public backlash over their size, energy use, noise, and perceived lack of local benefits.

A March Gallup poll indicated that 71% of Americans oppose data center construction in their areas. Despite this, Trump, supported by numerous technology CEOs, maintains that AI, powered by data centers, is crucial for U.S. economic and military dominance. Lydia Mihalik, director of the Ohio Department of Development, reposted Trump's comments, adding a comment of her own.