Trump is pushing a massive AI buildout. His own voters are wary of what comes with it
Source: CNBC ·
A new CNBC survey finds broad voter opposition to nearby AI data centers, creating a political challenge for Trump and Republicans ahead of the midterm election.
From the source
President Donald Trump has cast America's artificial intelligence race with China as a national-security imperative, pushing faster development of the technology and an immense buildout of the data centers and power infrastructure needed to fuel it. But the new CNBC All-America Economic Survey reveals a growing political tension beneath that agenda: Republican voters broadly support the push for AI development, but many oppose building the sprawling infrastructure needed to power it in their own backyards. Nearly 55% of MAGA supporters want companies to keep developing advanced AI while Congress works on regulations, versus 27% who favor a pause. But only 29% would support a data center within 10 miles of their home, while 40% oppose one. Among all Republicans and Republican-leaning voters — not just those who identify themselves with the MAGA movement — those who say they would support a data center near their home falls to 24%. Across the electorate, 63% don't want a nearby AI data…