Trump blasts New York AI data center ban, says state should change policy 'immediately'

Former President Donald Trump has expressed strong disapproval of New York Governor Kathy Hochul's recent moratorium on data center construction. In a post on Truth Social, Trump urged the state to revise its newly implemented ban, claiming it undermines future job creation and economic potential in New York. Trump emphasized the importance of data centers, referring to them as "big, strong, bold, and Money Machines for the State." He criticized Hochul for halting all current and future data center projects in New York, attributing the decision to political motivations. The executive order, signed by Governor Hochul, places a temporary ban on the construction of large-scale data centers that require 50 megawatts of power or more, lasting for up to one year. In response to this decision, Trump stated, "New York State has made a terrible decision." The moratorium has sparked national debate, particularly amid rising utility costs and heightened demand for artificial intelligence infrastructure. Hochul's administration has indicated that the ban aims to address concerns about the environmental impact of data centers, which are known to consume significant amounts of water and energy. "As data center development threatens to hike up utility bills, deplete our natural resources, and create uncertainty for New Yorkers, it's my responsibility to take action and lead," Hochul explained in a press release regarding the new policy. Trump's statement also included a call for data centers to be financially responsible for their own utility use, suggesting that any surplus resources should be redirected back to local communities. CNBC has reached out to the governor's office for further comments.