Kevin Hassett, director of the National Economic Council, said Friday that the expansion of U.S. data centers will stay on its projected course, even after midterm voters lined up behind dozens of ballot measures to rein in the facilities.
Hassett argued that projects slated to come online over the next couple of years are untouched by the initiatives and that the country has ample room for growth beyond that. He expects construction to keep spreading in states whose governors welcome it.
He also predicted that states hostile to the facilities would eventually change course, saying their benefits would become clear enough that residents rethink how they regulate them.
By one count, majorities voted for restrictions in at least 46 of roughly 50 data center initiatives on 2026 ballots. Many of the measures stop short of halting construction, instead requiring companies to offer concessions such as cheap power, school funding or shares of stock.
Hassett blamed Thursday's tech-led stock market plunge on uncertainty over what the political shift means for data centers, suggesting investors were anxious that a new majority might meddle in the sector. Even if that growth slows somewhat, he said, the economy would remain a blockbuster.
The facilities sit at the center of President Donald Trump's campaign to put the U.S. ahead in the worldwide AI competition, and he has tried to blunt their unpopularity by rebranding the technology as super intelligence. In a Truth Social post Friday, Trump said his support had not wavered despite the midterm losses and that he would work with states that want to get rich from the facilities.
They are GOLD, and only foolish leadership will say 'NO' to the riches they bring!
Donald Trump, president
A survey of midterm voters found that 56% considered data centers a crucial or major issue. Among those who called it crucial, 62% favored the generic Democratic candidate.
