President Donald Trump on Wednesday publicly endorsed the expansion of data centers, framing them as economic assets despite rising political and public resistance to their construction.
Trump urges data center growth as states tighten oversight
Trump told reporters after a White House event focused on cryptocurrency that data centers may need improved public relations but remain critical to economic growth. “If I were a governor or a mayor, I would want that plant in my community,” he said. “The jobs are enormous, and the money paid, the taxes paid, are just enormous.” He warned that communities rejecting data centers risk being “left out” of future development.
Governors across the U.S. impose stricter rules on data centers
Trump’s remarks followed a day of heightened scrutiny for data centers. Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro announced what he described as the “strictest” standards for data center development, citing concerns over what he called “speculators” pressuring local officials. Earlier, former NFL player Jason Kelce starred in a humorous ad for Garage Beer, partnering with Liquid Death, encouraging people to mail their urine to data centers—a stunt the company clarified was not a real request.
Data centers face bipartisan backlash ahead of midterms
The debate over data centers has intensified ahead of November’s elections, with both parties using the issue as a political wedge. In Loudoun County, Virginia, data centers contributed over one-third of the county’s general fund revenue in 2023, illustrating their financial impact. However, states like New York have moved to restrict or pause new data center construction, with Gov. Kathy Hochul signing the nation’s first statewide moratorium this summer.
Industry leaders highlight AI’s role in data center demand
Tech executives at the White House event echoed Trump’s support, emphasizing that data centers are essential for powering artificial intelligence advancements. They argued that the facilities will drive job creation and innovation, though critics contend the benefits may not outweigh environmental and infrastructure costs.