President Trump stated on Truth Social that companies constructing data centers must pay "dividends" to local communities to secure project approval. He noted that previously unpopular facilities gained acceptance after financial agreements were reached with host regions. Trump also mandated that new large-scale data centers build their own power generation facilities, with surplus electricity supplied or sold to local grids. This directive reinforces a February proposal requiring big tech firms to self-generate power to prevent rising consumer electricity bills. Data centers remain a focal point of political controversy across the U.S. due to their high consumption of water and energy resources.