Growing backlash against data centers in American cities as poll finds over 70% oppose them

Tech companies pour trillions of dollars into new data centers, the backbone of the AI boom. But many communities across the U.S. are rejecting them. A recent Gallup poll found that more than 70% of Americans don't want data centers in their area. St. Louis is in the middle of the national fight, and Tony Dokoupil take

Three Kansas cities have taken residents to court over citizen petitions seeking to restrict or ban large-scale data centers.

WASHINGTON — President Trump on Monday doubled down on his support of data centers, claiming communities that reject them will end up “backwards and poor” — even as polls show most Americans don’t want them in their neighborhood. Data centers, once heralded by politicians across the aisle as job creators, have transfor

Trump’s war is far from over, top military leaders are warning Hegseth that prolonged ops in the region are unsustainable, and Americans have been financing Pentagon propagandists who’ve been secretly collecting taxpayer money to try to convince us that things are going great in Iran.

The Sault Ste. Marie Innovation Centre will host a free virtual panel on Sept. 3 to help residents, businesses, community leaders and decision-makers better understand the challenges and opportunities data centres present for northern Ontario communities.

On Monday, President Trump promoted continued data center construction and criticized opponents, despite growing bipartisan backlash ahead of the November midterms.  “The only reason that communities throughout the U.S.A. should not want Data Centers is if they want to end up being backwards and poor,” Trump posted on

During a Cabinet meeting in August 2025, President Donald Trump held up an image of Meta's Hyperion Data Center superimposed over Manhattan to showcase its size. Bloomberg/Getty Images President Donald Trump questioned those who oppose data centers. Trump compared the facilities to a "Golden Goose." How has your commu

Trump Says Communities That Oppose Data Centers Risk Becoming ‘Backwards and Poor’  WSJ

Anyone who opposes data center development is “backwards and poor,” according to America’s billionaire president. Donald Trump argued on Truth Social Monday that the only reason to oppose a data center in your community is if you don’t want to be rich. “The only reason that communities throughout the U.S.A. should not

A U.S.-based artificial intelligence startup is partnering with the Saudi Arabian government’s AI firm for a major expansion of its computing infrastructure, as technology companies face growing resistance to data centers powering the AI boom in the homeland. San Francisco-based Together AI announced an agreement on Mo

President Donald Trump issued a blunt warning Monday to communities pushing back against the construction of artificial intelligence data centers, arguing that opposition to the facilities could leave communities poorer while benefiting China. “The only reason that communities throughout the U.S.A. should not want Data

AI may be booming, but the infrastructure powering it has become a political liability. For years, governors competed to lure data centers with tax breaks, expedited permitting, and promises of jobs and investment. Now, as sprawling AI campuses drive concerns over electricity prices, water use, and local control, some

Three fourths of Americans oppose data centers. Why?

Former White House adviser Brad Setser said data centres are increasingly viewed by Americans as facilities “with a bunch of computers inside and not many jobs”.