Let data reign, says Trump amid backlash

US President Donald Trump has defended a contentious part of America's artificial intelligence surge by urging communities to embrace data centers, according to a Times of India report. In a post on Truth Social, Trump argued those rejecting data centers would become impoverished, suggesting they should instead welcome prosperity and lower taxes.

He warned that killing the "Golden Goose" would only blame themselves if they lost out. Trump noted other places were eager to host such facilities, with China particularly pleased by the opposition. The US is rapidly constructing hundreds of data centers, with a projected 3,000 by 2030, mainly by tech giants and AI firms. However, opposition has surged, blocking or delaying over $130 billion worth of projects in the first quarter of 2026 alone.

The issue has even influenced the US midterm elections, with Republican Senator Jon Husted facing a tough race against Democrat Sherrod Brown in Ohio. Similar protests have surfaced in India, where Google plans a $15 billion AI data center hub, facing local opposition over concerns of higher electricity bills and environmental impacts.