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WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump defended data centers and blasted New York Gov. Kathy Hochul's new moratorium blocking them as the sprawling information technology facilities that power artificial intelligence face resistance in communities across the country.Trump touted data centers as "one of the biggest Driving in the Future for Jobs" in a July 15 post on Truth Social. "They are big, strong, bold, and Money Machines for the State in which they are built."The president singled out New York, calling it a "terrible decision" for Hochul, a Democrat, to sign an executive order on July 14 issuing a one-year pause on the construction of data centers while the state creates new standards for the facilities. New York became the first state to halt the construction of new data centers.Trump accused Hochul of issuing the moratorium "for political reasons," demanding that New York "change its Policy, IMMEDIATELY."Data centers, which house computer networks and servers that enable digital information and services, are becoming increasingly vital for tech companies as technology expands, particularly in artificial intelligence.But residents in many communities have protested the construction of the centers, which take up enormous space, are typically bland aesthetically, require considerable electricity, water, and other utilities, produce noise, and bring few direct benefits to their neighborhoods.Critics also argue that data centers are disproportionately targeted at low-income areas.Trump said companies that operate data centers are sought by "red states" such as Alabama, Florida, and Texas."Both the Taxes and the Jobs amount to LIQUID GOLD!" he wrote in his social media post. "All of this Income, and other Benefits, will be going to Red States, and some Blue, where Data Centers are sought as Cash Cows, with Lower Taxes and Record Setting Jobs."But recent fights over data centers have popped up in both Democratic- and Republican-leaning states, from Nashville to the Virginia suburbs outside Washington, DC, to rural Utah and small towns in New Jersey. Even Palm Beach, Florida, home of Trump's Mar-a-Lago resort, has fiercely debated a new AI data center planned there.Trump has expressed concerns about states creating barriers slowing the advancement of AI technology as the United States competes with China for the lead globally in AI innovation.In June, Trump signed an executive order asking AI developers to voluntarily submit their models to the federal government for review for potential security risks. The order stopped short of mandating that the government conduct safety evaluations and cybersecurity testing for advanced AI products.Reach Joey Garrison on X @joeygarrison.
