69% of Americans oppose local AI data centers in 2026 poll Trump blasts blocking communities on Truth Social for choosing poverty over server farms, throwing off 'tremendous amounts of money'

Date:
Tue, 08 Sep 2026 23:20:00 +0000

Description:
National polling shows Americans increasingly oppose local AI data centers, citing concerns over water, electricity costs, land use, and community impacts.

FULL STORY ======================================================================Copy link Facebook X Whatsapp Reddit Pinterest Flipboard Threads Email Share this article 0 Join the conversation Follow us Add us as a preferred source on Google Newsletter Subscribe to our newsletter 69% of Americans oppose AI data centers near their communities, a national poll finds Public support for nearby AI data centers has fallen sharply since 2025 Only 4% strongly support new data centers in their communities today American resistance to AI data centers has intensified sharply over the past year, several national surveys released in 2026 have found.

A new Decision Desk poll conducted by SurveyMonkey found that over two-thirds (69%) of respondents oppose construction of these facilities near their
homes. Nearly half of those surveyed (45%) said they would strongly oppose a data center built anywhere close to their own neighborhood. Latest Videos
From TechRadar Watch full video here: Data centers do not have widespread American public support Separate research from Heatmap Pro , carried out by Embold Research in mid-August 2026, points to an even sharper decline in public backing, as its poll of 2,045 registered voters found 75% opposed building a facility near their community.

Only 4% of respondents said they would strongly support a proposed data
center in their area, a drop from 13% recorded a year earlier. You may like Trump warns communities opposed to data centers are making a mistake but Texas Gov. Greg Abbott says data centers got the backlash they deserve AI
data center backlash has cost tech firms $130 billion in three months US Conservatives organize Nationwide Day of Protest' against expansion of AI
data centers

Resistance now cuts across age, income, party affiliation, and the split between rural and urban communities nationwide.

Republicans remain 43 percentage points net negative on the issue, independents sit at 65 points negative, and Democrats register 75 points negative. Are you a pro? Subscribe to our newsletter Sign up to the TechRadar Pro newsletter to get all the top news, opinion, features and guidance your business needs to succeed! Contact me with news and offers from other Future brands Receive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsors By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

Rural voters, a group that has trended Republican in recent years, are 63 points net negative as well.

Officials across the political spectrum have taken notice. New York Governor Kathy Hochul ordered a one year pause on new facilities, and Texas Governor Greg Abbott froze several pending projects pending a required audit.

Heatmap Pro figures reveal that over 530 counties and municipalities have restricted or banned data center construction. What to read next 'Let data reign'; Trump warns that those who don't let AI data centers proliferate will end up 'backwards and poor' Texas Republicans are straying from the party
line on data centers, and that's seriously worrying big tech and Trump Many new AI data centers will be built on US drought-hit areas Political and economic fault lines President Trump has pushed back publicly against the trend, framing local opposition as economically self-defeating.

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 wrote on Truth Social.

If they want to be successful and rich, with far lower taxes and jobs all
over the place, let Data Reign.

However, Republican supervisor Dawn Vogel backed a local moratorium earlier this year, putting her at odds with Trump's national agenda.

I dont think this is a Republican or Democratic issueIts an issue of whats
the best use for the land, whats the best use for our natural resources,
Vogel said.

You can have all the data you want to in the world, but if you dont have
water to drink, you dont have humans to use the data.

Lawmakers who once championed data centers as economic development tools are now revising their positions under mounting public pressure.

Ohio Senator Jon Husted, an early advocate, introduced legislation this year requiring data center operators to cover added electricity and water costs.

The gap between economic promises and local resource concerns appears to be driving much of the shift.

However, labor unions have generally taken a more favorable stance, citing steady construction jobs and strong wages tied to the facilities. Follow TechRadar on Google News and add us as a preferred source to get our expert news, reviews, and opinion in your feeds.



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Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/pro/69-of-americans-oppose-local-ai-data-centers-in- 2026-poll-trump-blasts-blocking-communities-on-truth-social-for-choosing-pover ty-over-server-farms-throwing-off-tremendous-amounts-of-money


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