Trump says Microsoft will make changes to ensure consumers don't pay for power used in AI buildout

In a recent social media update, former President Donald Trump announced that Microsoft is set to implement changes aimed at preventing Americans from facing increased utility bills due to the company's expansion of data centers to accommodate the growing demand for artificial intelligence. "I never want Americans to pay higher electricity bills because of data centers," Trump stated on Truth Social. He emphasized that his administration is collaborating with major American tech firms to ensure their accountability to the public, promising significant announcements in the near future. With midterm elections approaching, Trump is actively seeking ways to alleviate consumer costs, particularly as the tariffs he imposed last year continue to impact the economy. In December, he introduced a $1,776 "warrior dividend" for U.S. soldiers and has recently called for the purchase of $200 billion in mortgage bonds, hoping to lower mortgage rates. Amid this backdrop, leading tech companies are racing to build energy-intensive data centers, with Wall Street investors informed of increased capital expenditures as the AI sector booms. Notably, last week, Meta secured agreements with three nuclear power firms for a new data center in Ohio. Trump praised Microsoft's initiatives to manage costs, hinting that other companies might follow suit. "Microsoft is at the forefront, with my team collaborating closely to ensure that Americans won't bear the burden of increased power consumption through higher utility bills," Trump remarked on Monday. While Microsoft has not yet provided a comment on Trump's statements, they are reportedly mindful of the impact their data centers have on local communities. Brad Smith, Microsoft's president and vice chair, assured residents at a town hall in Wisconsin that the company is committed to managing the electricity usage of its data centers effectively. Despite ongoing expansion, Microsoft recently halted plans for a data center in Caledonia, Wisconsin, due to significant local opposition. This facility was proposed to be located just 20 miles from another data center in Mount Pleasant.