Trump’s drive to expand AI data centers sparks grassroots backlash in rural U.S.

Summary

A Reuters investigation finds that Donald Trump’s push to rapidly expand AI data centers under his administration’s AI Action Plan is facing fierce resistance from many of his own voters, particularly in rural communities like Montour County, Pennsylvania. Residents and local officials fear farmland rezoning, higher power prices and environmental damage, highlighting how national ambitions to dominate AI infrastructure are colliding with local land‑use politics and affordability concerns. ([reuters.com](https://www.reuters.com/business/retail-consumer/trumps-push-more-ai-data-centers-faces-backlash-his-own-voters-2025-12-01/))