Full Breakdown
AI Billionaires Fund Pro-Data Center Ad Blitz Amid Growing Public Opposition
9/1/2026, 7:59:56 AM
Background & Context
Public resistance to new AI-related data centers has intensified ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. Surveys by the Annenberg Public Policy Center at the University of Pennsylvania show that 61 % of U.S. adults now oppose nearby data-center construction, a rise of 12 percentage points since early-year polling. A June Reuters/Ipsos poll finds the opposition is bipartisan—75 % of Democrats and 63 % of Republicans say they do not want a data center in their community. The backlash has become a campaign issue in battleground states, prompting the National Republican Senatorial Committee to warn that data-center support is turning “toxic” for politicians.
Core Campaign Launch
Build American AI, an advocacy group financed by AI-industry billionaires and the super-PAC Leading the Future, announced a multimillion-dollar advertising push targeting Kansas, Ohio and Wisconsin. The campaign aims to counter the “loudest and most extreme voices” that the group says threaten economic growth. Funders include venture capitalists Marc Andreessen and Ben Horowitz and OpenAI President Greg Brockman. The ads will portray data centers as engines of good-paying jobs and community strength.
Data & Statistics
- 61 % of U.S. adults oppose new data-center projects (Annenberg Public Policy Center).
- Opposition splits: 75 % of Democrats, 63 % of Republicans (Reuters/Ipsos).
- In the first three months of 2026, local opposition blocked or delayed at least 75 projects valued at roughly $130 billion (Data Center Watch).
Official Statements & Responses
Build American AI’s announcement framed the ad effort as essential to “protect America’s future” and warned that discouraging responsible investment would erode jobs and community vitality.
Verbatim Quotes
- “The stakes are too high to allow the loudest and most extreme voices to dictate America’s future,” — Build American AI
- “The only reason that communities throughout the U.S.A. should not want Data Centers is if they want to end up being backwards and poor,” — Donald Trump, president
