Donald Trump has said that he has been “watching” data centers “very closely” and reached a conclusion that “If companies want to make their Data Centers popular, pay the community, and/or individuals within the community, a “dividend”.” Sharing a post on Truth Social, President Trump said that he has mandated data centers to generate their own electricity and sell “any excess back to the local community”. Trump’s post comes as communities across the country raise concerns against data centers requiring high quantities of water and power for running. “Data Centers that were highly unpopular in a certain area, have become extremely popular when a financial deal is struck,” the President said.
Here’s what US President said about data centers
In the Truth Social post, Trump said:
“As the President of the United States, I have been watching Data Centers very closely, and have come to a very strong conclusion. New and large, in some cases gigantic, Data Centers are mandated by me to make their own electricity, and give or sell any excess back to the local community, or grid, and therefore there is electric price increase. In fact, there could be a substantial decrease. Other elements likewise! If companies want to make their Data Centers popular, pay the community, and/or individuals within the community, a “dividend.” I have watched the process closely, and Data Centers that were highly unpopular in a certain area, have become extremely popular when a financial deal is struck. MAKE DEALS, and get them built!!! GREAT FOR THE U.S.A. President DJT”More than 50% of Americans are concerned about impact of data centers
According to poll conducted by the new Associated Press-NORC with the Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago, 53 percent of Americans are extremely or very concerned about AI's environmental consequences, up from 41 percent in 2025.
As stated in a report by The Independent, roughly six in 10 Americans support restrictions on new data center construction.