Trump's Call for Voting Reform and Data Center Regulation: A Political and Tech Showdown
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Trump used this report to call for Congress to pass his "SAVE America Act," which would abolish most forms of mail-in voting and introduce new proof of citizenship requirements that voting rights experts have warned would lead millions of eligible voters to be wrongly kicked off the rolls.
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In the NRSC's memo, the committee wrote that data centers have become a fixture of the contentious Senate race in Ohio, where Democratic candidate and former Sen. Sherrod Brown has made his opposition to them a "centerpiece" of his campaign against Republican incumbent Jon Husted.
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Common Dreams"If voters' perceptions of data centers are not fixed quickly," the memo cautions, "the campaign against them will expand far beyond Ohio."
FortuneIt’s not the kind of message anyone is using in competitive midterm races. The race to build data centers, which power artificial intelligence and cloud computing, has run aground amid frustration from voters who don’t want to live near the massive warehouse campuses. Even the Senate Republicans’ campaign arm warned that anger over data centers — some of which dwarf football stadiums and use more energy than small cities — could cost them a seat.
New York Post BusinessSouring public opinion on data centers could play a critical role in midterm elections across the country. Getty Images
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President Donald Trump on Wednesday insisted that Americans should welcome artificial intelligence data centers in their communities, despite polls showing widespread opposition to their construction across the US, as well as mounting evidence of their negative impacts on the environment, public health, and Americans' utility bills.
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CNBCPresident Trump weighed in on Wednesday, acknowledging that while data centers "can use a little public relations help," communities should welcome them.
FortuneTrump has framed data centers as a necessary component of a top national and economic security priority: winning the AI race against China. However, he also has acknowledged concern over rising electricity bills, previously saying “it’s only fair” for the companies to shoulder their costs.
New York Post BusinessSocial media users who oppose data centers have cited environmental issues, noise and light pollution and economic concerns, like the potential for the new tech to eradicate many jobs.
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A separate Axios report published Wednesday described AI CEOs being in "full panic mode" over the backlash to data centers. What's more, reported Axios, tech insiders privately acknowledge that "they can't find a compelling message to shift opinion fast enough" ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.
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FortuneAxios calls it “the new existential threat to AI,” reporting that Republicans and AI CEOs are in “full panic mode” watching politicians awaken to the appeal of data-center opposition. If the pipeline of new data centers slows, computing power will be constrained, and investors will (further) question whether the market has legs.
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In Texas, where Republican Gov. Greg Abbott has championed data centers in the past, the mood has changed decisively. Abbott is now racing to put standards on data centers in his state, as Democratic challenger Gina Hinojosa rips him for his initial support of the facilities.
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FortuneTexas’ governor changed course and got a jab from Trump Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, who last November celebrated Google’s announcement of a $40 billion investment there by calling the state “the epicenter of AI development,” is under attack from his Democratic challenger, Gina Hinojosa, over his pursuit of data center development.
New York Post BusinessTexas Gov. Greg Abbott, a Republican, issued a pause on data center approvals and created a set of standards that several companies agreed to follow regarding water and electricity use and quality-of-life for nearby residents.
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In Pennsylvania, Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro, who is eyeing a potential 2028 presidential bid, signed an executive order on Tuesday placing harsh standards on data center development in his state.
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New York Post BusinessPennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, a potential Democratic presidential contender in 2028, recently signed an executive order restricting data center development in the state, taking a stand against what he called “predatory” developers.
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Lawmakers are unmoved. In July, New York Governor Kathy Hochul signed an executive order establishing the nation's first year-long moratorium on large data centers, effectively pausing the development of new facilities in the state. Hochul said she'll use that time to develop a regulatory framework that better protects the environment, ratepayers, the energy grid and communities in New York.
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New York Post BusinessIn New York, Gov. Kathy Hochul in July issued a first-of-its-kind moratorium on large-scale data center construction – though it has drawn backlash from AI supporters who warn the ban could quash construction jobs. Other critics fear the regulation isn’t strict enough.
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Independent claims that didn't surface elsewhere in our corpus. Treat as supplementary — not corroborated across outlets.
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01 Common Dreams No Bending the Knee Here Like every authoritarian before him, Trump is working to co-opt news sources and control what the public sees and hears. Too many corporate outlets are bending the knee—but not Common Dreams. We will never be intimidated, and we will never compromise the core values that define our community: social justice, universal human rights, equality, and peace. Because we are funded by ordinary people like you, our editorial freedom is guaranteed.
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02 Fortune The memo suggested voters may balk at Democratic candidates who want to stop data center construction altogether in favor of a Republican candidate who only wants data centers built if a community approves it in a local vote and it pays for its own power, water and other utilities.
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03 New York Post Business In comparison, 53% opposed new nuclear energy plants. This new form of NIMBYism is taking hold on both ends of the political spectrum, and the share of voters who oppose data center construction is growing, according to a July survey conducted by independent polling group Public First.
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04 CNBC During a brainstorming session earlier this summer, a group of comedians and employees at beverage company Liquid Death kicked around an idea for a brazen new advertising campaign that would humorously shed light on the amount of water required to operate massive AI data centers.
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