Republican, President of the United States
Now: President of the United States since 2025 verified October 12, 2026 · source (opens in a new tab)
Photo: Daniel Torok, public domain (opens in a new tab), via Wikimedia Commons (opens in a new tab), cropped.
Checked · How the record reads leaders · Report a change · Corrections
Of 42 statements on the record, 26 were for data centers, 2 raised concerns about data centers and 14 carry no label.
Labels are applied by the record's published rules: two readings of each statement, and a third that reads its source where the two differ. Every label sits beside its statement and its source, and any label can be challenged through Report a change, with the correction logged on the corrections page.
Position History: Chronological record of positions across sourced statements.
- · Supports · Inquirer.com
- · Supports · American Press
- · Supports · CTPost
- · Supports · MS NOW
- · Supports · Michigan House Republicans
- · Supports · The Detroit News
- · Supports · KFXL
- · Supports · The Nation
- · Supports · The Nation
- · Supports · KUTV
- · Supports · abc4.com
- · Supports · WFIN
- · Supports · New Hope Free Press
- · Supports · New Hope Free Press
- · Supports · Arizona Capitol Times
- · Supports · county17.com
- · Supports · The Philadelphia Inquirer
- · Supports · Santa Fe New Mexican
- · Supports · Anchorage Daily News
- · Supports · Arizona Daily Star
- · Supports · thegazette.com
- · Supports · The Des Moines Register
- · Supports · Honolulu Star-Advertiser
- · Supports · Fox 13 Salt Lake City
- · Raises concern · WKRC
- · Supports · Fox 13 Salt Lake City
- · Raises concern · New York Post
- · Supports · New York Post
- · Supports · WKRC
- · Mixed · Reuters / Truth Social
- · Supports · Brooklyn Eagle
What they said
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"suggesting that data center opponents want their communities to be backwards and poor"
Context & source notes
Format & Provenance: Direct verbatim quote from source. Counterpoints: Trump made comments suggesting data center opponents want their communities to be backwards and poor.
Where & When: campaign statement · October 26, 2026.
Primary Sources:
- Brooklyn Eagle (opens in a new tab), national outlet
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"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 become extremely popular when a financial deal is struck. MAKE DEALS, and get them built!!! GREAT FOR THE U.S.A."
Context & source notes
Format & Provenance: Direct verbatim quote from source. Counterpoints: Secondary Quote: "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... In fact, there could be a substantial decrease [in electricity prices]." Note: Posted on Truth Social amid rising bipartisan pre-midterm voter pushback over utility rate hikes. Framed by the White House as a mandate, though no formal Executive Order was issued and retail utility rates and siting remain under state PUC jurisdiction. Pairs with the March 2026 voluntary Ratepayer Protection Pledge.
Where & When: Truth Social · October 21, 2026.
Primary Sources:
- Reuters / Truth Social (opens in a new tab), trade press
Archived copy: Wayback Machine (opens in a new tab).
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President Donald Trump said communities should want data center investments when they are placed in appropriate locations and their impacts including power, sound and water are properly addressed, and that developers should provide or finance additional electricity infrastructure rather than shifting costs to existing ratepayers
Context & source notes
Format & Provenance: Paraphrased from source.
Where & When: October 10, 2026.
Primary Sources:
- The North State Journal (opens in a new tab), local outlet
Archived copy: Wayback Machine (opens in a new tab).
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Trump defended data centers at an October 2026 campaign rally in southwestern Ohio, stating they cannot be turned away or they will go to China.
Context & source notes
Format & Provenance: Paraphrased from source.
Where & When: October 3, 2026.
Primary Sources:
- Ideastream Public Media (opens in a new tab), local outlet
- The Philadelphia Inquirer (opens in a new tab), local outlet
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Trump said data centers 'benefit local communities' and that turning them off would send them to China during a campaign rally in Ohio on October 3, 2026
Context & source notes
Format & Provenance: Paraphrased from source.
Where & When: October 3, 2026.
Primary Sources:
- Fox 13 Salt Lake City (opens in a new tab), local outlet
Label rationale: Both readings of the statement agreed. The words that set it: "data centers 'benefit local communities' and that turning them off would send them to China".
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President Trump said data centers in Ohio will relocate to China if blocked
Context & source notes
Format & Provenance: Paraphrased from source.
Where & When: October 3, 2026.
Primary Sources:
- WKRC (opens in a new tab), local outlet
Label rationale: Both readings of the statement agreed. The words that set it: "data centers in Ohio will relocate to China if blocked".
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Trump defended data centers powering AI projects during a campaign rally in Ohio in support of Republican Senate candidate Jon Husted against Democrat Sherrod Brown
Context & source notes
Format & Provenance: Paraphrased from source.
Where & When: October 3, 2026.
Primary Sources:
- Fox 13 Salt Lake City (opens in a new tab), local outlet
Label rationale: Both readings of the statement agreed. The words that set it: "Trump defended data centers powering AI projects during a campaign rally in Ohio".
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Trump said people living near a data center could receive a dividend because nearby residents would benefit greatly from the development.
Context & source notes
Format & Provenance: Paraphrased from source.
Where & When: October 3, 2026.
Primary Sources:
- Newsweek (opens in a new tab), national outlet
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Trump pledged to sign the Ratepayer Protection Act into law within 24 hours if Republicans prevail
Context & source notes
Format & Provenance: Paraphrased from source. Label set by a tiebreak.
Where & When: October 3, 2026.
Primary Sources:
- New York Post (opens in a new tab), national outlet
Label rationale: A tiebreak: the two first readings differed, and a third reading of the statement and its source decided. The words that set it: "stop data centers from raising electricity costs and require them to pay their own way.".
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President Trump said data centers should not be turned off because they will relocate to China
Context & source notes
Format & Provenance: Paraphrased from source. Label set by a tiebreak.
Where & When: October 3, 2026.
Primary Sources:
- New York Post (opens in a new tab), national outlet
Label rationale: A tiebreak: the two first readings differed, and a third reading of the statement and its source decided. The words that set it: "There's so much money to be made for Ohio. You can't just turn them off. They'll go to China".
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Trump administration taking historic action to make sure data centers benefit local communities
Context & source notes
Format & Provenance: Paraphrased from source. Label set by a tiebreak.
Where & When: October 3, 2026.
Primary Sources:
- WKRC (opens in a new tab), local outlet
Label rationale: A tiebreak: the two first readings differed, and a third reading of the statement and its source decided. The words that set it: "taking historic action to make sure data centers benefit local communities".
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Trump praised Senator Jon Husted for an ill fated attempt to push forward data center legislation seeking to ensure they benefit local communities.
Context & source notes
Format & Provenance: Paraphrased from source.
Where & When: October 3, 2026.
Primary Sources:
- Ideastream Public Media (opens in a new tab), local outlet
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President Trump reiterated support for rapid expansion of data centers
Context & source notes
Format & Provenance: Paraphrased from source. Label set by a tiebreak.
Where & When: September 29, 2026.
Primary Sources:
- Honolulu Star-Advertiser (opens in a new tab), local outlet
Label rationale: A tiebreak: the two first readings differed, and a third reading of the statement and its source decided. The words that set it: "reiterated his support for rapid expansion of data centers".
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President Donald Trump said towns that reject data centers risk becoming backwards and poor
Context & source notes
Format & Provenance: Paraphrased from source.
Where & When: September 20, 2026.
Primary Sources:
- The Des Moines Register (opens in a new tab), local outlet
Label rationale: Both readings of the statement agreed. The words that set it: "towns that reject data centers risk becoming backwards and poor".
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President Trump stated in social media that opposition to AI data centers and calls to curtail AI development constitute a sick conspiracy.
Context & source notes
Format & Provenance: Paraphrased from source.
Where & When: September 19, 2026.
Primary Sources:
- thegazette.com (opens in a new tab), local outlet
Label rationale: Both readings of the statement agreed. The words that set it: "opposition to AI data centers and calls to curtail AI development constitute a sick conspiracy".
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President Trump views data centers and artificial intelligence expansion as vital to U.S. economic growth and global competitiveness
Context & source notes
Format & Provenance: Paraphrased from source. Label set by a tiebreak.
Where & When: September 15, 2026.
Primary Sources:
- Flack Broadcasting (opens in a new tab), local outlet
Label rationale: No label: the words are not clearly the speaker's own. The two first readings differed, and a third reading of the statement and its source held it.
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Donald Trump said communities opposing data centers want to become backwards and poor
Context & source notes
Format & Provenance: Paraphrased from source.
Where & When: September 15, 2026.
Primary Sources:
- Arizona Daily Star (opens in a new tab), local outlet
Label rationale: Both readings of the statement agreed. The words that set it: "communities opposing data centers want to become backwards and poor".
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Trump has warned about over regulation and local resistance that could cause America to lose ground to China
Context & source notes
Format & Provenance: Paraphrased from source. Label set by a tiebreak.
Where & When: September 15, 2026.
Primary Sources:
- Flack Broadcasting (opens in a new tab), local outlet
Label rationale: No label: the words are not clearly the speaker's own. The two first readings differed, and a third reading of the statement and its source held it.
-
President Trump dismisses idea of new AI guardrails, saying there is a sick conspiracy against AI and data centers
Context & source notes
Format & Provenance: Paraphrased from source.
Where & When: September 14, 2026.
Primary Sources:
- The Philadelphia Inquirer (opens in a new tab), local outlet
Label rationale: Both readings of the statement agreed. The words that set it: "dismisses idea of new AI guardrails, saying there is a sick conspiracy against AI and data centers".
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Trump stated there is a sick conspiracy going on against AI and data centers and that China is the only one happy about it
Context & source notes
Format & Provenance: Paraphrased from source. Label set by a tiebreak.
Where & When: September 14, 2026.
Primary Sources:
- Santa Fe New Mexican (opens in a new tab), local outlet
- The Philadelphia Inquirer (opens in a new tab), local outlet
- Anchorage Daily News (opens in a new tab), local outlet
Label rationale: A tiebreak: the two first readings differed, and a third reading of the statement and its source decided. The words that set it: "There is a SICK conspiracy going on against AI and Data Centers, and the only one that is happy about it is China".
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Trump said concerns about AI are only because the United States is leading and to not kill the Golden Goose
Context & source notes
Format & Provenance: Paraphrased from source.
Where & When: September 14, 2026.
Primary Sources:
- Anchorage Daily News (opens in a new tab), local outlet
Label rationale: Both readings of the statement agreed. The words that set it: "concerns about AI are only because the United States is leading and to not kill the Golden Goose".
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Trump criticized communities for pushing back against data center projects, warning that those who reject them risk becoming backwards and poor
Context & source notes
Format & Provenance: Paraphrased from source.
Where & When: September 9, 2026.
Primary Sources:
- county17.com (opens in a new tab), local outlet
Label rationale: Both readings of the statement agreed. The words that set it: "those who reject them risk becoming backwards and poor".
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President Trump issued an executive order trying to make it easier to build data centers but also promoted a bill to protect people from having data center power bill increases
Context & source notes
Format & Provenance: Paraphrased from source. Label set by a tiebreak.
Where & When: September 7, 2026.
Primary Sources:
- vox.com (opens in a new tab), national outlet
Archived copy: Wayback Machine (opens in a new tab).
Label rationale: No label: the words are not clearly the speaker's own. The two first readings differed, and a third reading of the statement and its source held it.
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President Donald Trump posted on August 31 that communities should want data centers for economic success and jobs
Context & source notes
Format & Provenance: Paraphrased from source.
Where & When: September 7, 2026.
Primary Sources:
- Arizona Capitol Times (opens in a new tab), local outlet
Label rationale: Both readings of the statement agreed. The words that set it: "communities should want data centers for economic success and jobs".
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Donald Trump posted on September 7, 2026 on Truth Social criticizing communities seeking to curb or prevent data center development
Context & source notes
Format & Provenance: Paraphrased from source.
Where & When: September 7, 2026.
Primary Sources:
- The Winchester Star (opens in a new tab), news outlet
Archived copy: Wayback Machine (opens in a new tab).
-
Trump posted on social media expressing his support for data center development across the United States, stating the only reason communities should not want data centers is if they want to be backwards and poor
Context & source notes
Format & Provenance: Paraphrased from source.
Where & When: September 4, 2026.
Primary Sources:
- New Hope Free Press (opens in a new tab), local outlet
Label rationale: Both readings of the statement agreed. The words that set it: "the only reason communities should not want data centers is if they want to be backwards and poor".
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Trump wrote, 'If they want to be successful and rich, with far lower taxes and jobs all over the place, let Data Reign' and warned that if we kill the Golden Goose, China will benefit
Context & source notes
Format & Provenance: Paraphrased from source.
Where & When: September 4, 2026.
Primary Sources:
- New Hope Free Press (opens in a new tab), local outlet
Label rationale: Both readings of the statement agreed. The words that set it: "let Data Reign".
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Trump has acknowledged data centers need public relations help
Context & source notes
Format & Provenance: Paraphrased from source. Label set by a tiebreak.
Where & When: September 3, 2026.
Primary Sources:
- KUTV (opens in a new tab), local outlet
Label rationale: A tiebreak: the two first readings differed, and a third reading of the statement and its source decided. The words that set it: "Trump has acknowledged that data centers need "a little public relations help"".
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President Trump said U.S. communities that do not have data centers will end up being backwards and poor
Context & source notes
Format & Provenance: Paraphrased from source.
Where & When: September 3, 2026.
Primary Sources:
- abc4.com (opens in a new tab), local outlet
- Fox News (opens in a new tab), national outlet
- newscentermaine.com (opens in a new tab), local outlet
Label rationale: Both readings of the statement agreed. The words that set it: "U.S. communities that do not have data centers will end up being backwards and poor".
-
Trump called Gov. Abbott's decision to pause data center development a mistake
Context & source notes
Format & Provenance: Paraphrased from source. Label set by a tiebreak.
Where & When: September 3, 2026.
Primary Sources:
- WFIN (opens in a new tab), national outlet
Label rationale: A tiebreak: the two first readings differed, and a third reading of the statement and its source decided. The words that set it: "called Abbott's decision to pump the brakes on data center development a "mistake."".
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President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social saying data centers will serve economic self interest and national security, telling supporters to 'let Data Reign' or risk being 'backwards and poor'
Context & source notes
Format & Provenance: Paraphrased from source.
Where & When: September 2, 2026.
Primary Sources:
- The Nation (opens in a new tab), national outlet
Archived copy: Wayback Machine (opens in a new tab).
Label rationale: Both readings of the statement agreed. The words that set it: "let Data Reign or risk being backwards and poor".
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Trump warned that if Americans 'kill the Golden Goose' on data centers, 'you will have only yourselves to blame' and that China is happy about anti data center sentiment
Context & source notes
Format & Provenance: Paraphrased from source. Label set by a tiebreak.
Where & When: September 2, 2026.
Primary Sources:
- The Nation (opens in a new tab), national outlet
- WFIN (opens in a new tab), national outlet
Label rationale: A tiebreak: the two first readings differed, and a third reading of the statement and its source decided. The words that set it: "China could not be happier with this anti Data Center movement. Actually, they can’t believe it is happening!".
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President Trump wrote on Truth Social that communities should welcome data centers to be successful with lower taxes and more jobs.
Context & source notes
Format & Provenance: Paraphrased from source.
Where & When: September 1, 2026.
Primary Sources:
- KTTC (opens in a new tab), local outlet
Archived copy: Wayback Machine (opens in a new tab).
-
Trump called data centers the Golden Goose in a Truth Social post
Context & source notes
Format & Provenance: Paraphrased from source.
Where & When: September 1, 2026.
Primary Sources:
- KFXL (opens in a new tab), news outlet
Archived copy: Wayback Machine (opens in a new tab).
-
President Donald Trump, data centers have become a ready proxy for economic grievances held by voters who believe industry driven wealth is corrupting communities and politics
Context & source notes
Format & Provenance: Paraphrased from source.
Where & When: September 1, 2026.
Primary Sources:
- Billings Gazette (opens in a new tab), local outlet
Label rationale: No label: the words are not clearly the speaker's own. Both readings of the statement held it.
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President Trump wrote on Truth Social that rejecting data centers would make communities backwards and poor, and urged to let data reign
Context & source notes
Format & Provenance: Paraphrased from source.
Where & When: September 1, 2026.
Primary Sources:
- KFXL (opens in a new tab), news outlet
- WTVB (opens in a new tab), local outlet
Archived copy: Wayback Machine (opens in a new tab).
Label rationale: Both readings of the statement agreed. The words that set it: "communities rejecting data centers would end up being backwards and poor".
-
President Donald Trump argued that communities should embrace data centers and warned that widespread opposition could put the United States at a competitive disadvantage with China
Context & source notes
Format & Provenance: Paraphrased from source.
Where & When: August 31, 2026.
Primary Sources:
- Michigan House Republicans (opens in a new tab), news outlet
Label rationale: Both readings of the statement agreed. The words that set it: "communities should embrace data centers and warned that widespread opposition could put the United States at a competitive disadvantage with China".
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Trump wrote on Truth Social on Aug. 31, 2026: '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.'
Context & source notes
Format & Provenance: Paraphrased from source.
Where & When: August 31, 2026.
Primary Sources:
- The Detroit News (opens in a new tab), local outlet
- MS NOW (opens in a new tab), national outlet
Archived copy: Wayback Machine (opens in a new tab).
Label rationale: Both readings of the statement agreed. The words that set it: "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.".
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President Donald Trump said if he were a mayor or governor with a chance to land a big data center he would absolutely want it because the jobs and taxes paid are enormous
Context & source notes
Format & Provenance: Paraphrased from source.
Where & When: August 26, 2026.
Primary Sources:
- CTPost (opens in a new tab), national outlet
Label rationale: Both readings of the statement agreed. The words that set it: "if he were a mayor or governor with a chance to land a big data center he would absolutely want it because the jobs and taxes paid are enormous".
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President Trump said in an interview that communities that do not take a data center are making a mistake.
Context & source notes
Format & Provenance: Paraphrased from source.
Where & When: August 26, 2026.
Primary Sources:
- MS NOW (opens in a new tab), national outlet
Label rationale: Both readings of the statement agreed. The words that set it: "communities that do not take a data center are making a mistake".
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President Trump said data centers bring enormous jobs and enormous tax payments
Context & source notes
Format & Provenance: Paraphrased from source.
Where & When: August 25, 2026.
Primary Sources:
- American Press (opens in a new tab), local outlet
Label rationale: Both readings of the statement agreed. The words that set it: "data centers bring enormous jobs and enormous tax payments".
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"They're going to spend billions of dollars on rebuilding it. It's going to be the largest plant of its kind in the world, I believe. It's going to be great."
Context & source notes
Format & Provenance: Direct verbatim quote from source. Counterpoints: Trump returned to Pennsylvania in July 2025 with news of the Knighthead Capital investment in Homer City data center and power plant project.
Where & When: Public remarks · July 1, 2025.
Primary Sources:
- Inquirer.com (opens in a new tab), local outlet
5 statements on file were labeled and are left out of the counts.
How they voted
No vote on a data center measure on the record.
Something missing?
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Related
Projects named in these statements
Data Center Record, "Public statements by Donald Trump", https://datacenterrecord.org/speakers/donald-trump, last verified October 26, 2026.
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Last verified: October 21, 2026.