House Speaker Claims Data Center Opposition is a Chinese Psyop

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Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson claimed on Monday that opposition to data centers is ‘coming from China,’ suggesting the resistance is a foreign-led disinformation campaign. Johnson made the remarks during an appearance on Fox Business, where host Cheryl Casone brought up the issue of international influence on the debate.

Johnson Accuses China of Psyop Campaign

“This is what Democrats do. Every election cycle they find something to glom onto and say that this is doom and gloom and everyone will die if we don’t win,” Johnson said. “Don’t buy it. This is a Chinese psyop. I really believe that. That’s not a conspiracy theory,” he added.

Domestic Concerns Drive Data Center Opposition

While Johnson’s claim has drawn criticism, data suggests that the opposition to data centers is largely a domestic issue. A recent YouGov poll found that nearly two-thirds of Americans oppose the construction of data centers in their local communities. Data Center Watch also reported that nearly 120 data center projects were either blocked or delayed across the United States over the past six months.

Experts Say Foreign Actors Are Exploiting Domestic Debates

Jessica Brandt, a former official with the Office of the Director of National Intelligence under the Biden administration, told the New York Times that China and Russia have only exploited debates around data centers. “Foreign actors aren’t manufacturing American debates over the future of A.I., they are exploiting them,” Brandt said, adding that the goal was to “deepen our divisions in order to dent our appeal and weaken us from within.”

Public Concerns About Data Centers

A Gallup poll in May found that 71 percent of Americans were somewhat or strongly opposed to having a data center built near them, which is almost 20 percentage points higher than those who opposed construction of a nearby nuclear power plant. Many have broad concerns about the effects of AI on jobs and the climate, while people who live near data centers complain they are eyesores and emit annoying sounds. Some cities and counties have enacted temporary or permanent moratoriums on new construction.

Source: Breitbart

Written by

Connor Davis