President Donald Trump continues to promote data centers as job-creating "money machines" essential to competing with China on artificial intelligence, while public opposition has pushed Republicans and Democrats to halt approvals or tighten oversight. Unions and construction trade groups warn those measures could threaten thousands of building-related jobs and have threatened to withhold support from candidates who oppose projects. Resistance centers on electricity costs, water consumption, noise, pollution, farmland conversion, facility size and limited local benefits. A Gallup poll found 71% of Americans oppose nearby construction, including 75% of Democrats, 63% of Republicans and 74% of independents. Battleground politicians have shifted positions, including Texas Gov. Greg Abbott's pause on new approvals, Ken Paxton's supporting plan, Ohio Sen. Jon Husted's Ratepayer Protection Act, Wisconsin Rep. Tom Tiffany's attacks on a rival over tax incentives and Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro's restrictions on future projects. Trump's nonbinding Ratepayer Protection Pledge has drawn 23 governors and major technology companies, while the National Republican Senatorial Committee has called data centers a "sleeper issue" that could weigh on candidates.