How Data Centers Broke American Politics

Data centers became a focal point of political opposition in 2026, drawing criticism from figures across the political spectrum including Bernie Sanders and technology policy advisors associated with Steve Bannon, according to reporting on the issue. Opposition to data center expansion cited concerns including energy consumption, water usage, and land use impacts in specific communities. The backlash prompted local governments and state legislatures to introduce restrictions on new data center construction in multiple regions during 2026.

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