Trump Says Data Centers Must Make Own Power and Should Pay Community 'Dividends'

President Donald Trump said Wednesday on Truth Social that large new data centers are required to generate their own electricity and give or sell any excess to the local community or grid, so that power prices do not rise. He said prices could even fall. Trump also urged companies to pay the community, or individuals in it, a "dividend" to win public support, saying unpopular projects became popular once a financial deal was struck. He told developers to make deals and get the centers built. Trump has backed data center development and earlier said communities rejecting them would end up "backwards and poor." Data centers have drawn opposition over electricity and water use, and have become a campaign issue before the midterm elections.

Left-leaning outlets tracked by Crosswire had not reported the story at the time of writing, while alternative/independent and right-leaning outlets had. Alternative sources split: NewsNation led with the dividend proposal and public opposition over resource use, while The Hill led with the self-supplied electricity requirement, quoting Trump's post. Right-leaning outlets both focused on the dividend call. Daily Wire added examples of residents and landowners declining offers, plus midterm politics. Just the News added that data centers often use their own energy sources and noted voluntary commitments Trump secured in March.