Trump Claims 'Smart' Towns Crave Data Centers Despite Rising Public Outcry

The president’s remarks came during a promotional event for his “Ratepayer Protection Pledge,” an initiative intended to shield household utility bills from the impact of local data center construction. While Trump characterized these projects as job-creation engines, critics argue the facilities offer few permanent roles while driving up regional electricity costs and straining local water supplies. Recent polling indicates 7 in 10 Americans now oppose the presence of these centers in their neighborhoods.

Faiz Shakir, an adviser to Senator Bernie Sanders, described the president’s stance as disconnected from the realities facing working-class families. This friction is playing out in places like Johnson City, Tennessee, where even conservative-leaning residents have pushed back against developments. As of now, at least 1,489 data centers are in the planning or construction phase nationwide, though grassroots movements in states like Wisconsin and Michigan have successfully stalled or canceled roughly 100 projects over the last year.

The push for a federal pause is gaining momentum. Advocacy group 350.org recently joined calls for a national moratorium, citing secret power-pricing deals that favor tech companies over residents. Legislative efforts are also intensifying, led by a bill from Sanders and Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, alongside a recent executive order from New York Governor Kathy Hochul that halts the construction of large-scale, 50-megawatt facilities for one year.