# Trump is on the wrong side of AI issue > As voters turn against data centers and AI expansion, Trump doubles down on support while other politicians scramble to shift positions. - Title: Trump is on the wrong side of AI issue · Chicago Sun-Times - Summary: As voters turn against data centers and AI expansion, Trump doubles down on support while other politicians scramble to shift positions. Trump is ignoring a… - Keywords: artificial intelligence, data centers, donald trump, 2026 election, public opinion, josh shapiro, greg abbott, flock cameras, privacy concerns, tech regulation, environmental impact, china competition - Source: Chicago Sun-Times — https://chicago.suntimes.com/columnists/2026/09/17/trump-is-on-the-wrong-side-of-ai-issue - Published: 2026-09-17T19:01:05.532+00:00 - Read time: 2 min - Topics: artificial intelligence, data centers, donald trump, 2026 election, public opinion, josh shapiro, greg abbott, flock cameras, privacy concerns, tech regulation, environmental impact, china competition ## A new election issue emerges While voters usually focus on economy and war, artificial intelligence and data centers have suddenly become a major campaign issue in 2026. ## Data centers spark major concerns Giant data centers, AI expansion, privacy issues, and Flock cameras are creating a minefield for politicians who don't yet have clear positions. ## Shapiro flips on data centers Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro touted data centers in February as protection against China, then signed an executive order reining in tech developers months later. ## Abbott does the same reversal Texas Gov. Greg Abbott welcomed a forty billion dollar Google investment last year, then paused approvals for about eighteen hundred data center projects this month. ## Democrats focus on environment Democrats are settling into arguments about environmental and quality of life concerns from data centers in their communities. ## Republicans push local control Republicans are increasingly embracing arguments for more local control over data center decisions rather than state or federal mandates. ## Public opinion shifts dramatically A UMass Amherst poll shows sixty-five percent of Americans do not want data centers in their communities, crossing party lines. ## Kevin O'Leary case sparks backlash Public backlash forced Shark Tank's Kevin O'Leary to scale back his Utah development from forty thousand acres to roughly twenty thousand. ## AI warning adds to fears A former AI executive warned that artificial intelligence could end civilization within a decade, and tech companies aren't doing enough about it. ## Flock cameras raise privacy alarms Automated license plate readers installed everywhere capture vehicle and driver data, sparking anger at town halls across the country. ## Trump backs data centers President Trump told voters they'll be backwards and poor without data centers, ignoring widespread public opposition to the projects. > backwards and poor ## Trump calls AI fears a hoax Trump rejected AI safety concerns as a hoax similar to climate change and called for less regulation of the technology. > a hoax ## Trump supports Flock cameras This week Trump said he likes Flock cameras despite town halls packed with angry citizens protesting the invasive surveillance technology. ## Trump ignores election risk Trump has been unmoved by public opinion on multiple issues including war, tariffs, and abortion, which may cost Republicans their majority. ## Voters disagree with Trump It's rarely a good idea to tell voters they're wrong about how they feel, especially on a brand-new issue threatening to upend the election. ## Key takeaway Trump is ignoring a dramatic shift in public opinion on AI and data centers, telling voters their concerns don't matter in an election year.