Inside the GOP panic over Trump’s ‘worst-case scenario’: Republicans say president is stuck in a ‘bubble’ as one unlikely issue threatens to sink them in the midterms
President Donald Trump has dismissed growing backlash against data centres, telling critics on social media that communities opposing them risk becoming "backwards and poor" and warning against killing the "Golden Goose" of AI investment. The remarks, made after Fox News aired residents' complaints about noise and pollution from facilities in Virginia, alarmed Republican strategists who fear the issue could hurt the party in the midterms, with one describing the president as being stuck in a "bubble" and out of step with voter concerns over energy costs and job losses.
Trump's team had reportedly war-gamed the issue at a private strategy dinner in July, urging candidates to argue that data centres should cover their own power and water costs, but his public comments ignored that messaging. Data centres consumed around 4.4% of US electricity in 2023, a figure projected to reach up to 12% by 2028, with a typical facility using as much power as 100,000 homes. Republican figures including Congressman Tim Burchett and Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton have already pushed back or moved to curb tax incentives, while Democrats in Ohio and Michigan are seeking to tie Republican opponents to unpopular data centre expansion ahead of the midterms.
- Trump dismissed data centre critics as risking becoming "backwards and poor"
- Republican strategists fear backlash over energy use could hurt midterms
- Data centres could use up to 12% of US power by 2028
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Data centres house the computer systems that run online services and artificial intelligence. They need large amounts of electricity and water, and their growth has raised concerns in some communities about utility bills, noise and pollution.
Donald Trump has defended investment in these facilities as important to the US technology industry. Some Republicans, including local and state officials, have questioned public incentives or called for data centres to cover their own costs; Democrats are also making the issue part of their campaigns.
The debate matters because it links technology investment with household costs and local impacts. Republicans are weighing how to support the industry while responding to voters concerned about energy use and new development.
Both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Supporters of data centre investment argue that it underpins AI development, digital services and future economic growth, and that rejecting facilities could cost communities investment and jobs. They may also argue that the costs can be managed by requiring operators to pay for the power and water they use, while preserving incentives that help attract projects.
The case against
Critics argue that rapid expansion can raise pressure on electricity supplies and costs, while bringing noise, pollution and relatively few local jobs. They contend that communities should be able to limit or reject projects unless operators demonstrably cover their infrastructure costs, and that political leaders should respond to residents’ concerns rather than dismiss them.