Trump on Collision Course with Voters as Most Americans Oppose Data Centers

President Donald Trump is facing growing opposition from American voters over the rapid spread of artificial intelligence data centers. A recent NBC News Decision Desk Poll established that 69 percent of survey participants oppose building AI data centers within their local areas, including 45% who strongly oppose the idea.

The findings reveal a growing divide between the Trump administration’s support for AI development and the concerns of communities expected to host the facilities. Trump has argued that data centers bring jobs, investment, and lower taxes. In a post on Truth Social, he said communities that reject them risk becoming “backwards & poor.”

But many voters say the issue is not about rejecting technology or economic growth. It is about protecting their communities and making sure local resources are not placed under too much pressure.

Concerns about water and electricity are at the center of the debate. Data centers require large amounts of power to operate and can also use significant quantities of water for cooling. Residents worry that this could increase utility costs and reduce the resources available for homes, farms, and other businesses.

The opposition is also crossing party lines. In Iowa, Dawn Vogel, a Republican county supervisor, supported a temporary ban on new data centers in Buchanan County. She said the county needed to consider the optimum use of its land and natural resources before allowing more projects.

The NBC News poll found that 57 percent of Republican voters oppose data centers in their communities, compared with 43 percent who support them. Opposition is even higher among Democrats and independents, with 81 percent of Democrats as well as 71 percent of independents against local construction.

The issue is becoming especially important ahead of the November midterm elections. Voters served by Interstate 80, including communities in competitive House and Senate races, are raising questions about whether data centers will benefit ordinary residents or mainly the companies building them.

Some politicians who once welcomed the industry are now calling for stronger rules. Ohio Senator Jon Husted, a Republican, has introduced legislation that would mandate utility firms to charge large data center companies enough to cover the extra costs of power and water use. Pennsylvania governor Josh Shapiro has also signed new regulations.

Supporters of data centers point to the jobs they create. Construction and maintenance workers, including union members, say the facilities can provide good pay and steady employment. One Ohio worker told NBC News he could earn as much as $5,000 a week, including overtime.

Still, the growing public concern shows that economic promises alone may not be enough. As the midterm elections approach, Trump and other leaders will have to address whether AI expansion can continue without leaving local communities to carry the costs.

While the backlash against data center construction has gained prominence in the U.S., it isn’t clear whether similar opposition is being faced by tech companies like Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. (NYSE: BABA) that are also expanding their data center footprint in China and other international markets.

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