Trump urges data center companies to pay communities a ‘dividend’
The president called on developers to make financial deals with communities near their projects as opposition to data centers grows. He gave no payment terms.
President Donald Trump urged US data center companies on October 21 to make financial deals with communities near proposed facilities, including a possible ‘dividend’ for residents, as local opposition threatens projects ahead of the November midterm elections. He did not specify a payment amount or how such a plan would work, Business Insider reported.
In a social media post quoted by CNBC, Trump told companies to ‘MAKE DEALS’ to win local support. He said payments could go to a community ‘and/or individuals within the community.’ Trump also claimed that financial agreements had made unpopular projects popular in some areas, without identifying those projects in the quoted remarks.
Why communities are resisting data centers
The proposal addresses a growing dispute over the land, water and electricity used by data centers. CNBC reported that multiple states were considering moratoriums on new facilities, while France 24 described opposition from both parties ahead of the midterms. The concerns put pressure on developers seeking space and power for AI infrastructure and on politicians weighing the projects’ local costs against their promised benefits.
Business Insider reported that at least 75 data center projects were delayed or canceled because of local opposition in the first quarter of 2026, citing Data Center Watch, a research project run by 10a Labs. The figure concerns projects across the industry; it does not measure support for Trump’s proposed payments.
How a company responded
Nebius Chief Revenue Officer Marc Boroditsky told CNBC’s Arjun Kharpal at Nvidia’s GTC Berlin conference that the AI infrastructure company was ‘100% in principle’ open to discussions about investing in communities. He said benefits could take forms beyond existing tax revenue, including education, job development and wider economic opportunities. His comments described possible approaches, rather than a commitment to a dividend.
Some companies have already offered direct benefits tied to their AI expansion. Business Insider reported that SpaceX offered eligible Memphis residents a 50% discount on Starlink internet service during the summer in connection with its build-out in the city. That example illustrates a different kind of local offer; Trump’s post did not set out who would qualify for payments under his proposal or whether companies would adopt it.
Read in depth: Politics
Great British Energy budget shifts toward nuclear preparation and a new grid venture
POLITICO reports that billions from the state energy company’s budget have been assigned to work beyond its original renewable generation plans, while ministers set out a new...
Perran Moon suspended as Labour investigates Covid-era company loan
The Camborne and Redruth MP referred himself to a Labour investigation over repayments on a £50,000 Bounce Back Loan to his former business. He says the application followed...
Sources and context
- 'MAKE DEALS': Trump says data centers should pay communities a 'dividend' to win supportCNBC
- Trump pitches a community 'dividend' to defuse data center backlashBusiness Insider
- The Debate - AI on the ballot? Voters in US midterms revolt against data centresFrance 24
AI-assisted article checked against the listed sources. NewsJaws did not conduct interviews or attend the reported events.