President Donald Trump has escalated his defense of AI data centers as public and political resistance to the facilities grows, warning communities that block projects risk becoming “backwards and poor.” In a Truth Social post, Trump called data centers a “golden goose” and urged Americans to “let Data Reign,” while claiming China “could not be happier” with the backlash.
The remarks come as polling indicates majority opposition. A Gallup survey found 71% of Americans oppose building AI data centers near where they live, and Annenberg Public Policy Center polling showed opposition rose from 49% in spring to 61% by mid-July. Concerns include electricity and water consumption, grid strain, higher utility bills, and constant noise.
The resistance is already shaping policy. New York has enacted a moratorium on hyperscale data centers, Texas paused approvals pending an audit, Pennsylvania now requires local approval, and cities from Austin to Jersey City have imposed bans. Data Center Watch said grassroots groups blocked or delayed at least 75 projects worth around $130 billion in the first three months of 2026.
Vice President JD Vance struck a softer note, saying data centers are “an important part of the AI economy” but attributing 99% of the backlash to higher local utility costs. He argued developers should build power plants alongside facilities and put power back into the grid.
The fight is spilling into Bitcoin mining. Analysts warn the opposition could slow the AI buildout, and miners that pivoted into AI infrastructure are exposed. Residents of Granbury, Texas, sued MARA Holdings over mining noise, while TeraWulf signed a 20-year, $19 billion lease with Anthropic, Hut 8 committed a Texas site to a $9.8 billion AI lease, and IREN struck a $3.4 billion cloud deal with Nvidia.
Advocacy groups are pouring money into battleground states. Build American AI, backed by Leading the Future and its billionaire funders Marc Andreessen, Ben Horowitz and Greg Brockman, is spending millions on ads in Kansas, Ohio and Wisconsin. The National Republican Senatorial Committee has warned the issue is becoming toxic for candidates such as Ohio Senator Jon Husted.
