Trump defends data centers amid growing bipartisan opposition

President Donald Trump has mounted a vigorous defense of the rapid expansion of data centers across the United States, arguing that communities opposing the facilities are making a significant economic and strategic mistake. In an interview with his former attorney Michael Cohen that aired on Sunday, August 23, Trump insisted the projects bring jobs, investment, and tax revenue while being essential for maintaining America's lead over China in artificial intelligence.

Trump's comments come amid growing bipartisan backlash against the infrastructure needed to power AI. He dismissed concerns that massive server farms will destabilize local power grids, claiming that major tech developers are increasingly building their own independent power generation. "They're making their own power plants. They're building the most beautiful power plants, you've never seen power plants like this," Trump said. He argued that new data centers no longer draw power from the grid because companies are building their own facilities following the administration's Ratepayer Protection Pledge, which requires new AI data centers to source their own power.

The pledge, updated in late July, requires...