House Speaker Mike Johnson says growing opposition to AI data centers is a ‘Chinese psyop’ amplified by the left: ‘This is what Democrats do every election cycle’
House Speaker Mike Johnson is dismissing growing opposition to artificial intelligence data centers as a “Chinese psyop” that he says is being amplified by Democrats ahead of the midterm elections.
‘It is a Chinese psyop’
The speaker made the accusation during an appearance on Fox Business as communities across the country increasingly raise concerns about the massive facilities needed to power the AI boom.
“I mean, do you think that this, with regards to China — I mean, I’ve had several tech executives and lawmakers, to be clear, say that the information against data centers, that pushback against data centers — that is coming from China. They believe that,” anchor Cheryl Casone said.
“The Democrats are seizing on this, though,” Casone continued. “They’re making this their messaging. They’ve been very clear they’re going to take this into the midterms. How do you fight that?”
Johnson responded by accusing Democrats of exploiting fears surrounding the technology.
“This is what Democrats do every election cycle,” Johnson said. “They find something to, you know, glom onto and say that this is doom and gloom and everyone will die if we don’t win. Don’t buy it. It is a Chinese psyop. I really believe that. It’s not a conspiracy theory. I think they’re pushing those ideas.”
Domestic concerns
The conservative Heritage Foundation has similarly argued that Chinese Communist Party-linked “actors have aggressively amplified anti-data center voices in America, even as Beijing generously subsidizes China’s own … data center construction.”
However, opposition to data centers also reflects domestic concerns. The facilities consume substantial amounts of electricity and water, prompting worries about utility costs, environmental effects and local resources. Recent polling has also found significant opposition among Americans to data centers being built in their communities.
President Donald Trump has repeatedly rejected warnings surrounding AI as a “hoax” that could hinder American innovation and allow China to gain ground.
“AI and data centers will be the greatest economic development engine in history — Bigger than oil, gold, diamonds, or even the internet. It will not be stopped by brilliantly run destructive forces during the term of President DONALD J. TRUMP!” Trump wrote on Truth Social.