Data Center Opposition: $130B Blocked, 37 Arrested, Midterms at Stake

Data center opposition in the U.S. has grown to more than 800 active groups across 49 states, with roughly $130 billion in projects blocked or delayed. At least 37 people were arrested in 2026 for protesting, most for minor infractions while acting peacefully. A March 2026 Gallup poll found 71% of Americans oppose an AI data center in their local area. The backlash is straining Republican politics ahead of the 2026 midterms: Trump backs domestic buildout on national security grounds, while local concerns over noise, energy costs, and public subsidies are mobilizing voters in states including Virginia, Indiana, Ohio, and Pennsylvania. Build American AI, a dark money group linked to Greg Brockman and an a16z-backed super PAC called Leading the Future, launched with $50 million on hand and a multimillion-dollar ad campaign targeting battleground states to counter opposition.