Trump Doubles Down on Data Centers Amid Criticism

President Donald Trump has intensified his support for data centers and AI infrastructure, dismissing opposition as backwardness in a Truth Social post late August. He argued that communities refusing data centers would remain ‘backwards and poor,’ framing expansion as essential for U.S. competitiveness against China.

Trump’s stance has drawn criticism even from loyalists like Molly McCann Sanders, president of the Eagle Forum Education & Legal Defense Fund, who describes herself as a ‘crunchy MAHA mom’ concerned about data center pollution. She told WIRED she is ‘suspicious and wary’ of rapid expansion but loves Trump overall, though she finds his rhetoric ‘not the right way to go about this.’

Polling Data Reveals GOP Base Opposition

A New York Times poll released September 15 shows 47% of Republicans oppose data center construction, with 60% of Americans overall rejecting expansion. GOP strategists have privately warned candidates that unqualified support for AI infrastructure could alienate voters, citing ‘toxic brand’ perceptions of the industry.

National Republican Senatorial Committee issued a private memo to AI companies in August, cautioning that voter sentiment on data centers is shifting negatively. GOP strategist Tony Fabrizio similarly advised candidates that ‘unqualified support for building more AI data centers is a losing position,’ emphasizing the need for nuanced messaging.

Midterm Campaigns Navigate Data Center Divide

At the Republican midterm convention, efforts to court tech enthusiasts—dubbed the ‘laptop class’—sparked backlash from traditional MAGA supporters like Sanders, who called the outreach a ‘huge misstep.’ She noted that data centers were mentioned only once during the entire convention, during a debate between Palantir cofounder Joe Lonsdale and Steve Bannon’s tech advisor Joe Allen.

Wisconsin gubernatorial candidate Tom Tiffany, endorsed by Trump, attacked his Democratic opponent David Crowley over alleged pro-data center views, illustrating how candidates are balancing party loyalty with local voter concerns. Tiffany’s campaign signals a willingness to diverge from Trump on the issue despite shared GOP alignment.

Broader Industry and Political Reactions

The Interior Department is reviewing at least 12 data center proposals on 17,600 acres of public land, according to The Washington Sun, highlighting federal involvement in expansion debates. Meanwhile, Amazon admitted losing customer data after Iranian drone strikes damaged facilities earlier this year, underscoring security risks associated with infrastructure growth.

Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger signed an executive order creating a state AI task force and potentially limiting data centers, a notable move given the state’s Data Center Alley—a global hub for facilities. The Verge reported the order reflects growing state-level scrutiny of expansion impacts.

Cultural Backlash and Public Awareness

Amid opposition, activists have launched creative campaigns, including Bezzy—a plush toy shaped like a server that emits real data center noise to raise awareness. WIRED’s Boone Ashworth described the initiative as ‘adorable’ but also highlighted the genuine concerns of residents living near facilities.

In Pennsylvania’s swing district, anti-data center organizers expressed frustration that politicians ignore their concerns despite successful local opposition efforts. Natalie Fertig’s reporting revealed bipartisan dissatisfaction with how expansion debates are handled at higher levels.

Sources

• WIREDIt’s Donald Trump Versus MAGA on Data Centers