Data Centers

Trump Wants To Force Data Centers To 'Make Their Own Electricity.' Deregulation Would Work Better.

The president joins a long list of politicians who think the government knows best when it comes to data centers.

Josh Pauzé | 10.23.2026 5:30 PM

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(Illustration: Ron Sachs-CNP/CNP / Polaris/Newscom/Donald J. Trump/Truth Social)

With public opposition toward data centers growing and midterm elections on the horizon, politicians across the spectrum have introduced overreaching policies to stymie data center development and ease voters' minds. These politicians now include President Donald Trump, who has historically been a staunch supporter of the industry.

"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," Trump declared on Truth Social on Wednesday. "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........

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