Data center construction has emerged as one of the most contentious issues in
the 2026 US election cycle, prompting local, state and federal Republican and
Democratic lawmakers to propose partial construction moratoria. With about two
months until the November midterms, Trump has repeatedly voiced support for AI
data centers, but an NBC News Decision Desk poll found 69% of respondents opposed
building AI data centers near their homes, including 45% who are strongly
opposed. Republican opposition is lower but still a majority at 57%; 81% of
Democrats and 71% of independents oppose local AI data center construction.
