# Trump's $500B AI megaproject hits major snags

> Oracle invokes force majeure on a critical data center, signaling deep trouble for the Stargate initiative.
- Title: Trump's $500B AI megaproject hits major snags · Futurism
- Summary: Oracle invokes force majeure on a critical data center, signaling deep trouble for the Stargate initiative. The first major component of Trump's ambitious AI…
- Keywords: trump, stargate project, oracle, openai, softbank, ai infrastructure, data center, new mexico, project jupiter, force majeure, permits, fuel cells
- Source: Futurism — https://futurism.com/future-society/donal-trump-stargate-megaproject-ai-data-center-oracle-shrivels
- Author: Joe Wilkins
- Published: 2026-09-25T15:55:08+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: trump, stargate project, oracle, openai, softbank, ai infrastructure, data center, new mexico, project jupiter, force majeure, permits, fuel cells
## Oracle shields itself from liability
Oracle invoked force majeure to protect itself from financial responsibility after the New Mexico data center failed to secure development permits.
## Force majeure signals project trouble
The legal maneuver, typically used for wars or natural disasters, suggests Oracle is preparing for the data center to miss its 2028 completion deadline.
## Permits blocked natural gas plant
Oracle cancelled plans for a massive natural gas facility after failing to secure land use permits from state and federal authorities in May.
## Unproven fuel cells as backup plan
Oracle pivoted to solid oxide fuel cells, an experimental technology never deployed at the 2.45 gigawatt scale needed for the data center.
## Oracle already cutting costs drastically
The company laid off thousands of workers in January as lenders grew nervous about Project Jupiter's financial prospects.
## One failure threatens entire megaproject
This data center is just the first piece of Project Jupiter, itself one component of the $500 billion Stargate initiative involving OpenAI and SoftBank.
## Key takeaway

The first major component of Trump's ambitious AI infrastructure plan is facing permit delays and unproven technology, threatening the entire $500 billion project.