In a letter obtained by the Associated Press, almost 200 activists from the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) movement urged President Donald Trump and Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to rethink a 2025 executive order that encourages the use of coal to power artificial intelligence data centers. The signatories, including former Kennedy campaign staffers Zen Honeycutt and Charles Eisenstein, argue that the policy places a toxic burden on American children and communities.
Health‑focused concerns drive the appeal
The letter emphasizes the importance of U.S. leadership in AI, national security, innovation and economic growth, but contends that those goals should not come at the expense of public health. “American AI leadership should not come at the cost of a more toxic burden for American children,” the letter states.
Honeycutt, founder of the advocacy group Moms Across America, said she researched coal‑ash impacts after the executive order was issued and found disturbing evidence of environmental and health risks. She also highlighted broader concerns about data‑center siting, land use and the effects on nearby residents.
Administration response and broader debate
White House spokesperson Taylor Rogers pointed to a drop in greenhouse‑gas emissions to a 30‑year low during Trump’s first term and noted that the president was tasked with rolling back what the administration calls “radical climate policies” that increase costs for taxpayers. The agencies addressed in the letter have not yet responded.
Trump has repeatedly praised “big, beautiful coal” and framed data‑center development as essential to winning the AI race against China. He has argued that locating AI plants or data centers in a town or state would bring “enormous” jobs and tax revenue.
Local impact of a national policy
Data centers have become a flashpoint in the 2026 midterm election cycle, with voters across the political spectrum raising concerns about rising electricity bills, water usage, air and noise pollution. The MAHA activists’ letter asks the administration to require transparent review of data‑center locations and power‑source decisions, and to respect existing environmental review requirements in the permitting process.
While the MAHA movement helped Trump win the White House in 2024, many activists say they are growing frustrated with the administration’s deregulatory agenda on pesticides, glyphosate and other environmental issues. Some members have indicated they may vote on issues rather than party affiliation this fall, adding a new dynamic to the upcoming elections.
What’s next?
The letter represents the first major MAHA mobilization over fossil‑fuel policy and could influence how the administration balances energy needs with health and environmental protections. As the midterm campaign heats up, the debate over coal‑powered AI infrastructure is likely to remain a point of contention between the White House, health‑focused activists and voters concerned about both economic growth and community well‑being.
Original reporting: Dallas TX News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
