Trump Says Communities Will Be ‘Backwards And Poor’ If They Oppose Data Centers Pequeño is a breaking news reporter who covers tech and more.Aug 31, 2026, 11:17am EDTToplineU.S. communities that do not welcome data centers into their neighborhoods want to be “backwards and poor,” President Donald Trump said Monday, backing the data center and artificial intelligence boom even as Americans oppose the construction of the resource-intensive facilities.US President Donald Trump speaks after signing an executive order that aims to rename Lake Ontario to Lake America in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC, on Aug. 27.Photo by Jim WATSON / AFP via Getty ImagesKey Facts“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 said.This is a developing story. Check back for updates.LOADING VIDEO PLAYER...FORBES’ FEATURED VideoExplore Topic