MAGA Supporters More Often Oppose Nearby AI Data Centers

Registered voters are more likely to oppose than support an artificial intelligence (AI) data center within 10 miles of home, a local divide that also appears among MAGA supporters despite broader backing for AI development.

Overall, 63% opposed a data center near home and 13% supported one. Among MAGA supporters, 40% opposed a nearby facility, compared with 29% who supported one. Democrats were more opposed: 80% rejected a facility within 10 miles of home, while 4% supported one.

Hart Research Associates and Public Opinion Strategies surveyed 1,000 registered voters nationwide from Oct. 14-18. The data-center question went to roughly half the sample, about 500 people, and had a margin of error of 4.38 percentage points. The overall survey’s margin of error was 3.1 points.

Views on AI development differed from views on where its facilities should be built. Nearly 55% of MAGA respondents favored continuing advanced AI development while Congress works on regulations, while 27% favored pausing it. Among all respondents, 52% favored a pause until Congress passes safety regulations, and 32% favored moving ahead to keep pace with China.

The survey also found that 18% of voters named failure to regulate AI and data centers as a top concern if Republicans retain Congress. Among voters who want Republicans to keep control, 17% cited weak oversight, behind only failure to bring down prices. The poll records stated preferences; it does not establish whether those views will affect votes or construction plans.

President Donald Trump’s July 23, 2025, AI Action Plan listed more than 90 federal policy actions and called for faster data-center permitting. On March 4, 2026, Trump issued the Ratepayer Protection Pledge proclamation. Seven technology companies accepted its terms, including commitments to build, bring or buy new power and pay for power-delivery upgrades required by their data centers.

The pledge addresses power supply and grid costs. Local disputes have also involved water demand, noise, land use and public subsidies.