Marjorie Taylor Greene Tells Trump to Put Data Centers at Mar-a-Lago After President Warns China Is Loving the Backlash: 'Good Luck Winning the Midterms'

On Monday, President Donald Trump’s aggressive defense of AI data centers triggered a political fight, with Marjorie Taylor Greene mocking the president’s position and warning it could hurt Republicans in the midterm elections.

Trump Defends AI Data Centers as Backlash Grows

In a Truth Social post, Trump argued that communities opposing data centers risk becoming backward and poor, saying those that embrace the facilities could benefit from jobs, investment and lower taxes.

"If they want to be successful and rich, with far lower taxes and jobs all over the place, let Data Reign," Trump wrote. He also warned that blocking projects could benefit China.

"If we kill the Golden Goose, you will only have yourselves to blame," Trump said, adding that China "could not be happier" about the growing anti-data-center movement.

Marjorie Taylor Greene Fires Back at Trump

Greene, a former Republican congresswoman, took aim at the president’s argument, saying Americans are increasingly attending local government meetings to oppose data-center projects.

She accused the facilities of consuming land and water, creating noise pollution and producing relatively few permanent jobs after construction.

"If Trump wants data centers build them on all his golf courses and country clubs and right in the backyard at Mar-a-Lago!!" Greene wrote on X.

She concluded with a warning: "Good luck winning the midterms now."

Everyone hates data centers and Americans are packing out city halls and county commissioners meetings trying to stop data centers from being built.
They consume the land and steal the water and creates noise pollution that drives people and animals insane, while creating very… pic.twitter.com/exn3oesl5e

— Former Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene🇺🇸 (@FmrRepMTG) August 31, 2026

Data Center Backlash Becomes Bipartisan

Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) also rejected Trump’s characterization of opponents, arguing they want a better future for their communities and are concerned about energy use, privacy, jobs, children’s mental health and the broader impact of AI.

"No, Mr. President, the 75% of Americans who oppose data centers in their communities do not want to be ‘backwards and poor,’" Sanders wrote, adding, "They have every right to be concerned."

No, Mr. President, the 75% of Americans who oppose data centers in their communities do not want to be "backwards and poor."

They want a decent future for themselves, their kids and their communities. They understand that data centers are destroying local environments and that… https://t.co/7HCszbrD8l

— Bernie Sanders (@BernieSanders) August 31, 2026

Fetterman Backs Trump on AI Data Centers

Meanwhile, Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.) agreed with Trump’s pro-data-center stance, saying the U.S. must "win the war for AI supremacy over China."

"There’s nothing more damaging to a Democrat than agreeing with Trump AND data centers—but what’s right is right," he said on X.

Agreed.

We must win the war for AI supremacy over China. They foment the ‘anti’ argument through misinformation.

There’s nothing more damaging to a Democrat than agreeing with Trump AND data centers—but what’s right is right. pic.twitter.com/rRzdz0G3qf

— U.S. Senator John Fetterman (@SenFettermanPA) August 31, 2026

CNBC’s Jim Cramer similarly warned that companies could move projects to Mexico if the U.S. makes development too difficult.

Trump, pro-data center should mention how easy it is to go to Mexico. While the President seems to be inclined to slow things down, the border states would welcome them. So would Queretaro, where Amazon is building one.. It will happen. They get the win. They have the cards.

— Jim Cramer (@jimcramer) August 31, 2026

Data Center Backlash Grows Nationwide

The political stakes are growing as public opposition remains high. A Gallup survey found 71% of Americans oppose building an AI data center in their area, with 48% strongly opposed.

Concerns include electricity costs, water consumption, land use and environmental impacts. Texas has ordered an audit of data centers, while New York has paused certain large projects amid grid concerns.

According to Statista, the U.S. had 4,423 data centers as of April 14, 2026, the highest number of any country worldwide. The U.K. followed with 555 facilities, while Germany had 523.

Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.

Image via Shutterstock/ Philip Yabut