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Is US data center opposition a ‘China PR thing,’ as Trump says? Experts say that’s exaggerated
Polling shows 61% of U.S. adults oppose data center construction in their area as officials and activists dispute foreign influence claims.
- On September 10, President Donald Trump told Fox News host Laura Ingraham that widespread local opposition to U.S. data center construction is "a China PR thing," echoing claims from other officials blaming external influence.
- Interior Secretary Doug Burgum blamed the pushback on "foreign source dark money" and "foreign psy-ops campaigns," claiming areas building data centers face bombardment from "foreign-directed propaganda" intended to block development.
- A survey from the University of Pennsylvania's Annenberg Public Policy Center found 61% of Americans oppose local data center construction; an August Data Center Opposition report identified 580 groups with 640,000 members opposing development.
- Critics argue the resistance is organic rather than foreign-driven. Mitch Jones, managing director of policy and litigation for Food & Water Watch, noted a movement spanning Bernie Sanders to Steve Bannon cannot result from "mystical power" China wields.
- House Republicans requested briefings from the FBI and the President's Council of Advisers on Science and Technology regarding international influence campaigns and "billionaire-backed activism" targeting U.S. artificial intelligence infrastructure buildout.
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Coverage Details
Total News Sources30
Leaning Left0Leaning Right1Center28Last UpdatedBias Distribution97% Center
Bias Distribution
- 97% of the sources are Center
97% Center
C 97%
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