Donald Trump blasts US backlash against data centres

WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump on Monday attacked opponents of the data centers powering the artificial intelligence boom, saying superpower rival China "could not be happier" about the growing backlash.

Energy-guzzling data centers have become a surprise issue in November's crucial midterm elections, with anger among Democrats and Republicans over rising electricity bills and noise from the facilities.

"The only reason that communities throughout the U.S.A. should not want Data Centers is if they want to end up being backwards and poor," Trump said on his Truth Social platform.


"If they want to be successful and rich, with far lower taxes and jobs all over the place, let Data Reign," Trump said, adding, "If we kill the Golden Goose, you will only have yourselves to blame."

US candidates in at least 21 races across 18 states have aired television advertisements mentioning data centers this cycle, according to marketing data cited by US media, almost evenly divided between the two parties.