Trump keeps embracing data centers even as they become toxic in midterm races
- Trump said he would strongly support an AI plant or data center because of the jobs and tax revenue they can bring.
- The article says data centers have become politically unpopular in competitive midterm races as voters complain about higher electric bills, water use, pollution and changes to local communities.
- Republicans and Democrats running in contested races are avoiding the issue, and the Senate GOP campaign arm has warned that backlash over data centers could cost a seat.
- Trump has cast data centers as part of the effort to beat China in artificial intelligence, while also urging companies to help limit consumer utility bill increases.
President Donald Trump used a White House meeting with technology leaders to again back data centers and the broader AI buildout, saying states and cities should want the projects because of the jobs and tax revenue they bring. He has framed the issue as part of a national and economic security contest with China.
The political problem, according to the article, is that data centers have become a liability in competitive midterm races. Candidates in both parties are avoiding close identification with the projects as voters raise concerns about higher electricity bills, heavy water use, pollution and the impact on neighborhood character. Republican strategists have also warned that the backlash could hurt them electorally.
Trump has tried to balance his support for rapid construction with concerns about utility costs. He has pushed technology companies to sign a voluntary pledge to protect U.S. consumers from higher bills tied to data centers and has urged faster approval for company-owned power plants. For markets, the article suggests a mixed or neutral-to-slightly-positive outlook for data center, AI infrastructure and related utility shares, but a more negative outlook for projects facing local political resistance and permit risk.
特朗普继续力挺数据中心，但这一议题在中期选举中越来越棘手
特朗普在白宫会见科技业人士时再次为数据中心和更广泛的人工智能建设辩护，称各州和城市应当欢迎这类项目，因为它们会带来就业和税收。他把这一议题描述为美国在人工智能领域与中国竞争的一部分，属于国家和经济安全优先事项。
但文章指出，真正的政治难题在于，数据中心已经在竞争激烈的中期选举中变成了负担。两党候选人都在回避与这类项目过度绑定，因为选民担心电费上涨、用水过多、污染加重，以及对社区环境的长期改变。共和党竞选人士也警告，这种反弹可能伤及选举结果。
特朗普一边支持加快建设，一边也承认电力成本上升的问题。他推动科技公司签署自愿承诺，避免数据中心推高美国消费者账单，并呼吁更快审批企业自建电厂。就市场影响而言，报道传递的是偏中性到略利好的信号，利于数据中心、AI基础设施和部分公用事业相关股票，但对面临地方阻力和审批风险的项目则偏利空。