President Donald Trump defended the expansion of artificial intelligence data centers across the U.S., arguing that the facilities can provide significant economic benefits to communities when constructed in appropriate locations.
Trump addressed the issue while speaking with reporters at Joint Base Andrews on Friday after being asked why some Republican candidates have opposed AI data centers ahead of the midterm elections.
The president described the issue as relatively straightforward, saying location is one of the most important factors in determining whether a data center will benefit a community.
“The data center subject to me is a pretty simple one. If you pick the right location — and it’s got to be — not every location’s perfect for it,” Trump said.
Trump argued that properly located facilities can generate employment and tax revenue for surrounding communities.
“But if you pick the right location, what it means for a community is jobs and lots of money and lower taxes,” he said.
The president also addressed concerns about the enormous amount of electricity required to operate AI data centers.
Trump said developers are being required under his administration to construct their own electricity-generating facilities rather than relying entirely on existing power grids.
“And the data centers now are mandated by me that they build their own electricity, so they’re not taking it from the grid,” Trump said.
Trump argued that the policy could ultimately help reduce electricity costs if data centers produce more power than they consume.
“They’re going to build their own electric producing facility. And, that electricity that they have left over is going to the grid, it’s going to lower the cost of electricity,” he said.
Trump added that he would welcome a data center if he were responsible for running a community, citing jobs, income and potentially lower taxes, per Breitbart News.
When a reporter asked whether Republican candidates should adopt his position on the issue, Trump stopped short of demanding that members of his party fall in line.
He said he wants Republicans “to do what they want.”
Trump nevertheless reiterated his own support for the facilities, saying he would favor them if he were serving as a mayor or governor because they can generate substantial revenue and are “clean.”
The comments echoed remarks Trump made at the White House earlier in the week.
Trump said Wednesday that if he were the mayor of a town or governor of a state and had an opportunity to attract a major AI facility or data center, he would support bringing the project into the community.
The rapid construction of data centers has become a contentious issue in communities across the country as the AI industry expands.
A Gallup survey conducted from March 2 through March 18 found substantial opposition to having AI data centers built locally.
According to the survey, 48% of Americans strongly opposed the construction of AI data centers in their communities, while another 23% somewhat opposed it.
Twenty percent said they somewhat favored such projects, while seven percent said they strongly favored them.
Trump’s remarks put him firmly on the side of continued data center development, provided developers select suitable locations and generate their own electricity rather than placing additional demand on existing power grids.
