Trump defends data centers, sparks backlash from supporters over water and noise concerns

Donald Trump posted that communities resisting data-center construction are choosing poverty, and that embracing the sector would lower taxes and generate jobs. His comments provoked sharp rebuke from Truth Social users, who pointed to personal water restrictions and heightened noise as proof of the industry's drawbacks. Throughout his second term, Trump has repeatedly defended data centers, linking them to economic prosperity despite the fact that most sites create only a few dozen permanent jobs.

Neighbors of these facilities have complained about depleted water resources, rising utility bills, and constant noise. Earlier this month, the Environmental Protection Agency proposed a rule that would eliminate requirements for data centers to disclose pollutant emissions, limiting residents' ability to assess local environmental risks. Critics argue that the policy, combined with Trump's rhetoric, overlooks both environmental and social costs. The controversy illustrates a rare convergence of opposition to data centers across the political spectrum.