Trump promotes data centers at rally with Republican facing heat on them

President Donald Trump defended controversial data centers powering the AI industry while campaigning in Ohio on Saturday, targeting concerns from voters and a vulnerable Republican senator, Jon Husted. Trump said the facilities “want them” and warned they would go to China if the U.S. turns them off. The issue has become central in Ohio’s data-center boom as Husted runs against former Sen. Sherrod Brown. A New York Times/Siena poll released Saturday found most Ohio voters oppose new construction: by an 11-point margin, more trust Brown than Husted on the issue, and 63% oppose versus 31% in favor. Brown’s campaign criticized Husted as the “face of data centers,” citing higher electricity bills. Husted’s team said the decision is local and noted the senator sponsored a bill to protect consumers from high energy costs, but Democrats blocked it procedurally last week.