Fox News’ pro-data center coverage explodes 420% following GOP warning that Democrats are defeating Republicans

Fox News coverage of data centers surged by 420% following a warning from the National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) that Democrats were winning in Ohio, with data centers playing a key role in Democratic campaign strategies. Media Matters, a journalism watchdog, discovered this significant increase in Fox News's pro-data center perspectives between August 18, 2026, and the subsequent two weeks.

The warning from the NRSC urged tech companies to alter public opinion on data centers, fearing that a Democratic candidate opposing data center development could cost incumbent Jon Husted his seat in Ohio. The memo, obtained by Axios, stated that tech companies needed to modify public perception of AI data centers, preventing Republican candidates from losing to Democrats who opposed data center construction, which they claimed could lead America to lose the AI race to China.

Following the warning, claims in favor of data centers jumped from 39 to 203 within two weeks, with 56% of claims arguing for their essential role in US progress and prosperity. Opposition to data centers, found to not be politically partisan, was primarily driven by working-class communities, who opposed the buildout of AI data centers and infrastructure, with 43% of claims attributing the opposition to far-left activists and the Chinese government.