It’s Donald Trump Versus MAGA on Data Centers
wired ·
The article examines a growing split between Donald Trump and parts of his MAGA base over data centers and artificial intelligence. Molly McCann Sanders, a conservative Catholic activist, supports Trump but says she is wary of data centers’ potential pollution and opposes his enthusiastic stance on their expansion. Polling found that more than 60 percent of Americans, including 47 percent of Republicans, oppose building data centers, while Republican strategists have warned candidates that unconditional support for them could be politically damaging. Trump has nevertheless intensified his defense of the industry, arguing that communities that reject data centers risk remaining “backwards and poor.” White House allies and technology advocates frame restrictions as a threat to US competition with China, while comments from Trump’s own Truth Social users reportedly opposed data centers and AI by a four-to-one margin. The issue remains a relatively low priority for voters, and some Republicans aligned with Trump may distance themselves from his position. The article also highlights public backlash through a data-center-shaped plush toy and reports on proposed facilities, lost customer data, and possible state restrictions.
wired