President Donald Trump said early Wednesday morning that large data centers should generate their own electricity and provide financial benefits to the communities where they are built.
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“New and large, in some cases gigantic, Data Centers are mandated by me to make their own electricity,” Trump wrote in a Truth Social post.
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“As the President of the United States, I have been watching Data Centers very closely, and have come to a very strong conclusion. New and large, in some cases gigantic, Data Centers are mandated by me to make their own electricity, and give or sell any excess back to the local community, or grid, and therefore there is electric price increase. In fact, there could be a substantial decrease. Other elements likewise! If companies want to make their Data Centers popular, pay the community, and/or individuals within the community, a ‘dividend.’ I have watched the process closely, and Data Centers that were highly unpopular in a certain area, have become extremely popular when a financial deal is struck. MAKE DEALS, and get them built!!! GREAT FOR THE U.S.A. President DJT”
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He said facilities should sell or return excess power to local communities or the electric grid, potentially lowering electricity prices.
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Trump also urged technology companies to offer residents a “dividend” to build support for data center projects, which have faced opposition over their substantial power and water demands.
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“MAKE DEALS, and get them built!!! GREAT FOR THE U.S.A.,” Trump wrote.
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The president said the administration’s policy is intended to prevent consumers from absorbing the cost of powering the AI industry.
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The comments follow similar proposals from Anthropic and Elon Musk to distribute some of the financial gains from artificial intelligence to the public.
