House Speaker Mike Johnson rejects growing public and political opposition to AI data center construction, saying the backlash is driven by a Chinese influence operation. Speaking on Fox Business, Johnson agrees that concerns about data centers “is coming from China,” and he frames the issue as something Democrats seize on for political advantage ahead of elections. He describes the claim as not a conspiracy theory.
Other reporting notes that foreign actors may exploit genuine domestic concerns rather than manufacture them. A former intelligence official previously told the New York Times that outside influence efforts aim to deepen divisions while not negating that Americans’ worries about the technology’s impacts are real. Public polling cited by outlets shows a large share of Americans oppose data centers in their communities.
Outlets also describe real-world effects of that concern, including moratoriums and delays. Data Center Watch reports that over about six months, dozens of projects were blocked or delayed amid state and local restrictions. At the same time, some local officials warn in places like Louisiana that data centers could worsen toxic emissions tied to power generation, while major firms including Amazon and Meta continue investing in new facilities.
