Trump keeps embracing data centers even as they become toxic in midterm races

President Donald Trump, meeting with cryptocurrency executives at the White House, said that Republican and Democratic candidates are reluctant to endorse data centers due to their negative impact on voters. Data centers, which support artificial intelligence and cloud computing, have faced backlash due to concerns over higher electricity bills, water usage, air and noise pollution, and altering community character.

Despite Trump's initial support for data centers as a crucial element in the race against China, he acknowledged the growing unease over their financial and environmental consequences. Data center construction has become a contentious issue in several states, with some candidates using it as a platform to attack their opponents.

The National Republican Senatorial Committee warned that Ohio Senator Jon Husted might lose his seat due to the data center issue, as Democratic nominee Sherrod Brown is airing attack ads against him. A recent Fox News poll found that most registered voters oppose building a data center near their area, although the issue ranks below concerns like the cost of living in the upcoming election.