President Donald J. Trump is defending the expansion of data centers across the United States, arguing that communities can benefit when the massive facilities are built in suitable locations. Speaking to reporters, Trump said choosing the right location could mean “jobs and lots of money and lower taxes” for a community.
Trump’s comments come as the rapid growth of artificial intelligence has triggered a nationwide debate over the construction of large data centers, which require substantial amounts of electricity and, in many cases, water for cooling.
Trump Says Location Is the Key
Trump has acknowledged that not every community is appropriate for a major data center. His argument is that carefully selected locations can allow communities to capture the economic benefits while limiting the strain on residents and existing infrastructure.
The president has also said his administration is requiring data center developers to provide their own electricity rather than relying entirely on local power grids. Trump argues that facilities producing their own power could even send excess electricity back to the grid and potentially reduce electricity costs.
Trump says that if he were a mayor or governor, he would want data centers in his community because of the income and jobs they can generate.
Growing Debate Over Data Center Costs
The push for more data centers comes amid growing opposition in some parts of the country. Residents and lawmakers have raised concerns about electricity demand, water consumption, environmental impacts and whether local taxpayers could ultimately shoulder infrastructure costs.
A March 2026 Gallup poll found that 71% of Americans opposed building an AI data center in their community, including 48% who strongly opposed such construction.
The political debate is also crossing party lines. Some Republican candidates have called for moratoriums or greater scrutiny of data center projects, while Donald has maintained that communities should embrace them when projects are properly located and structured.
For Donald, the economic argument remains straightforward: more data centers can mean more investment, more jobs and potentially lower taxes—but only if communities get the benefits without being left with the costs.
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