Trump Backs AI Data Centers, Warns States Against Falling Behind
U.S. President Donald Trump has voiced strong support for artificial intelligence and the data centers required to power it. He cautioned that states and communities opposing data center construction risk being left behind.
President Donald Trump has called for data centers to improve their public image while reaffirming his support for artificial intelligence and the necessary infrastructure. "If I were a governor or a mayor, I would want my community to host these kinds of facilities," Trump stated, highlighting the job creation and tax revenues they provide.
The president's remarks come as several U.S. states are tightening incentives for data center construction amid growing public opposition. For instance, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro announced stricter building standards for data centers. With mid-term elections approaching, "supporting data centers" is emerging as a bipartisan political talking point.
Trump asserted that communities opting against data center development will "be left behind," echoing similar sentiments he expressed earlier when New York State enacted a moratorium on new data center construction. Data centers can generate substantial tax revenue, as seen in Loudoun County, Virginia, where they contributed over a third of the county's general fund income last fiscal year.
AI-driven data centers are typically larger and more power-intensive than their predecessors. Public perception in the U.S. has shifted, with a July Gallup poll indicating seven in ten Americans oppose data center construction in their area. This growing resistance is prompting tech companies to address community concerns.
Major tech firms like Microsoft and Meta are actively working to improve local relations. Microsoft has pledged to be a "good neighbor" in communities where it builds, and Meta launched a $1 billion fund to support communities hosting its data centers. Trump also indicated he would be meeting with AI industry leaders soon.