President Donald Trump told Fox News host Laura Ingraham on Sept. 10 that many people who oppose new data centers are hearing a “China PR thing.” The comment comes as the administration pushes back against what it describes as foreign‑directed propaganda aimed at stalling American AI and data‑center development.
Administration’s Response to Foreign Influence
Interior Secretary Doug Burgum echoed the President’s concerns, blaming “foreign source dark money,” “foreign psy‑ops campaigns” and “foreign‑directed propaganda” for the surge in local opposition. Burgum told Fox Business in May that any community trying to host a data center is being bombarded with coordinated messaging designed to block construction.
In June, Republican members of Congress asked the FBI and the President’s Council of Advisers on Science and Technology for a briefing on how the administration will counter foreign influence campaigns and “billionaire‑backed activism” targeting U.S. AI development and infrastructure projects. Two additional House Republicans later requested information from environmental groups about foreign funding of AI and energy‑infrastructure policy.
Experts Say the Threat Is Overstated
While officials stress the danger of foreign meddling, several experts argue the movement against data centers is largely home‑grown. 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.”
Professor Darren Linvill of Clemson University noted that Chinese state media focuses more on promoting Chinese AI achievements than on targeting data‑center debates. Jessica Brandt, a senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations, added that foreign actors tend to amplify existing divisions rather than create them.
Survey Shows Broad, Growing Opposition
Despite the administration’s framing, a recent University of Pennsylvania Annenberg Public Policy Center poll of 1,320 U.S. adults (June‑July) found that 61% oppose data‑center construction in their area, up 12 points from a February‑March survey. The opposition cuts across political affiliations and geographic regions.
OpenAI, a leading AI company, reported that it identified two groups of ChatGPT accounts likely operated from China that attempted to push narratives linking data‑center projects to higher electricity bills. The company said the operation had minimal impact, noting that the accounts had few followers and generated little engagement before being suspended.
Administration’s Commitment to Protecting American Innovation
President Trump has repeatedly characterized concerns about AI risks as a “hoax” and emphasized the need for the United States to maintain a forward‑leaning role in technology. By highlighting foreign influence, the administration aims to safeguard American innovation, protect consumers from misinformation, and ensure that local communities receive accurate information about the benefits and impacts of data‑center projects.
Critics, including some environmental groups, continue to argue that data centers raise legitimate concerns about energy consumption and local environmental effects. The administration, however, maintains that these issues are being distorted by external actors seeking to hinder U.S. technological progress.
Original reporting: KOAT Albuquerque — read the source article.
