President Donald Trump stated on Friday that he does not mind if Republican lawmakers and candidates disagree with him regarding the regulation of data centers. Speaking to reporters outside Air Force One before departing for South Carolina, Trump was asked if he preferred GOP candidates to align with his views on data center campuses, which have faced opposition from some of his endorsed candidates.
Trump remarked, "If a Republican’s against the data center, that’s OK with me," adding that he believes data centers can provide significant economic benefits to communities, including jobs and lower taxes, provided they are located appropriately.
He also highlighted his ratepayer protection pledge, which ensures that major technology companies will supply the necessary energy for their data centers while covering infrastructure upgrade costs.
Trump's comments come amid a growing divide among GOP congressional candidates regarding data centers, with some calling for moratoriums or increased scrutiny due to their unpopularity among voters ahead of the 2026 elections. For instance, Michigan Republican Senate nominee Mike Rogers has advocated for a pause on data center construction until all community concerns are addressed. Similarly, Wisconsin gubernatorial candidate Tom Tiffany has expressed opposition to data centers amid local farmers' concerns about land acquisition.
In Texas, Governor Greg Abbott ordered an audit of AI data center construction projects, potentially delaying their progress. A Gallup poll from March indicated that 70% of Americans oppose constructing AI data centers in their vicinity, with environmental impacts and residential encroachment being major concerns. Despite the opposition, Trump reiterated his support for data centers, stating, "I would want to have data centers."