# Trump backs AI data centers despite poll showing 60% opposition

Digest AI · Policy & Regulation · published 2026-09-20T10:30:00Z

Canonical: https://digestai.news/story/trump-backs-ai-data-centers-despite-poll-showing-60-opposition

## Summary

A recent New York Times poll found that more than 60 percent of Americans – including 47 percent of Republicans – oppose the construction of new AI data centers. The National Republican Senatorial Committee sent a private memo to AI firms warning that unqualified support for data‑center expansion could damage the party’s brand, and GOP strategist Tony Fabrizio issued a similar warning to candidates.

President Donald Trump has doubled down on his defense of data centers, posting on Truth Social that only communities that want to be “backwards and poor” would reject them. An analysis of thousands of responses to his posts found anti‑data‑center comments outnumbering positive ones four to one. Meanwhile, Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger signed an executive order creating a state AI task force that may limit data‑center growth, and the Interior Department is reviewing at least 12 proposals covering at least 17,600 acres of public land. Amazon recently disclosed permanent loss of customer data after Iranian drone strikes hit its data centers.

## Key points

- NYT poll shows over 60% of Americans, including 47% of Republicans, oppose new AI data centers.
- NRSC and GOP strategist Tony Fabrizio warned that unqualified support for data centers could hurt the party’s brand.
- Virginia governor signed an executive order creating a state AI task force that may limit data‑center expansion.

## Why it matters

Political resistance and emerging regulations could slow the rollout of AI data centers, affecting compute capacity and U.S. competition with China.

## Sources

1. [It’s Donald Trump Versus MAGA on Data Centers](https://wired.com/story/donald-trump-versus-maga-on-data-centers) (Wired AI, 2026-09-20)

Part of the developing story: [Trump Defies Voter Opposition on AI Data Centers](https://digestai.news/thread/poll-61-of-voters-oppose-ai-data-centers-but-issue-remains-low-priority) (2 stories)

## Cite

Digest AI, "Trump backs AI data centers despite poll showing 60% opposition", 20 September 2026, https://digestai.news/story/trump-backs-ai-data-centers-despite-poll-showing-60-opposition

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