'MAKE DEALS': Trump says data centers should pay communities a 'dividend' to win support

TechPublished Wed, Oct 21 20262:52 AM EDTKey PointsPresident Donald Trump urged data center companies to strike financial deals in a Truth Social post.Data center development has become a political flashpoint as communities raise concerns about electricity, water and land use ahead of the November midterm elections.U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday urged data center companies to "MAKE DEALS" with local communities to ensure their support for the costly facilities. Trump said that to make them more popular, data center operators should pay the community, "and/or individuals within the community, a 'dividend.'""I have watched the process closely, and Data Centers that were highly unpopular in a certain area, have become extremely popular when a financial deal is struck. MAKE DEALS, and get them built!!! GREAT FOR THE U.S.A.," the president said in a post on Truth Social.Data centers have become a hot-button issue ahead of the midterm elections in November. Public opposition to the buildout of the facilities and their environmental impact has been growing, with multiple states considering moratoriums.Data center stocks have also come under pressure this week amid growing concer...