President Donald Trump asserted on Sept. 10 that the expanding backlash against data‑center construction across the United States is largely a “China PR thing,” attributing the resistance to foreign‑directed propaganda. He made the comment during an interview with Fox News host Laura Ingraham, positioning the issue as part of a broader foreign‑influence campaign.

Administration’s view on foreign influence

Trump’s claim aligns with statements from senior officials who have warned that foreign actors are seeking to undermine American technology infrastructure. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum has described the opposition as fueled by “foreign‑source dark money” and “foreign‑directed propaganda,” suggesting a coordinated effort to block data‑center projects.

Congressional interest

Republican members of the House have asked the FBI and the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology for briefings on how the administration will counter foreign influence campaigns and “billionaire‑backed activism” targeting AI development and data‑center expansion. Two additional House Republicans have requested information from environmental groups about potential foreign funding of opposition activities.

What the data actually show

A University of Pennsylvania Annenberg Public Policy Center survey of 1,320 U.S. adults conducted June‑July found that 61% now oppose data‑center construction in their neighborhoods, a rise of 12 percentage points from the February‑March survey (49%). The opposition cuts across party lines, with majorities of Democrats, Republicans and independents expressing concern.

Critics push back on the foreign‑influence narrative

Experts and advocacy groups argue that the opposition is largely organic. Mitch Jones, managing director of policy and litigation for Food & Water Watch, said, “A political movement that stretches from Bernie Sanders to Steve Bannon isn’t the result of some mystical power China wields over the American people.” Similarly, Clemson University professor Darren Linvill noted that Chinese state media does not focus heavily on data‑center issues, and that foreign actors typically amplify existing public concerns rather than create them.

Fact‑checking the claim

While the administration highlights foreign influence, the evidence suggests that the primary driver of opposition is genuine local concern over energy costs, environmental impact, and community disruption. The claim that China is orchestrating the movement does not hold up against the broader data, which shows a widespread, bipartisan grassroots response.

Technology companies’ findings

OpenAI reported that it had identified two groups of ChatGPT accounts likely operating from China that attempted to push narratives linking data‑center construction to higher electricity bills. The company concluded the operation had minimal impact, noting that the accounts had no followers or engagement before being suspended.

Conclusion

President Trump’s framing of data‑center opposition as a foreign‑influence issue reflects a consistent administration stance that external actors seek to hinder U.S. technological advancement. However, independent surveys and expert analysis indicate that the opposition is largely home‑grown, driven by legitimate community concerns. The administration’s response, including calls for investigations and briefings, underscores its commitment to protecting American innovation while addressing the real worries of citizens.

Original reporting: WRAL Raleigh — read the source article.