Trump warns communities opposing datacenters could face economic decline

A recent poll found that roughly 75 percent of Americans oppose the construction of data centers in close proximity to their homes, reflecting growing local resistance to such projects across the country. The sentiment has surfaced amid heightened scrutiny of technology infrastructure as communities weigh potential benefits against concerns over noise, visual impact, and property values. Lawmakers and industry groups have noted the opposition as a factor influencing the rollout of new facilities that support expanding digital services and cloud computing demand.

President Donald Trump responded to the backlash by criticizing communities that reject data‑center proposals, warning that such resistance could leave them “backwards and poor.” He asserted that if projects are halted, residents will “only have yourselves to blame,” a statement that has intensified the debate as the nation approaches the November midterm elections. The controversy underscores the tension between local opposition and broader economic arguments for expanding data‑center capacity, a dynamic that is likely to shape policy discussions in the coming months.