President Trump has expressed strong disapproval of Governor Kathy Hochul’s recent decision to prohibit data centers throughout New York, claiming it is the first of its kind in the country. He criticized the Democratic Party’s approach, describing it as a political maneuver aimed at eliminating what he called “money trees.”
On Truth Social, he stated, “New York State made a terrible decision.” He elaborated, arguing that many financial benefits will now shift to red states and certain blue ones, where data centers are valued for their low taxes and job creation. “They will have to pay for their own water and power, and the rest will go back to the states and local communities,” he noted.
Trump insisted, “New York State needs to change its policies immediately.” He emphasized the importance of keeping data centers and other emerging technologies, like AI, from being lost to countries such as China.
The president’s remarks came right after Hochul announced a halt on new data center permits, citing concerns over the energy grid’s capacity.
“I don’t want New York to just be first. I want New York to be first in the right way,” he remarked in response to the executive order.
Republican leaders in New York City echoed Trump’s sentiments.
“President Trump is absolutely right,” said David Carrider from the Council on Minorities in Staten Island.
He further criticized the state’s energy policies, indicating that shutting down clean nuclear power plants, opposing affordable natural gas supplies, and relying on expensive Canadian hydropower while suspending data centers— which could generate significant investments and high-paying jobs—was not a practical economic strategy for New York.
Overall, he asserted that this would be a significant loss of opportunity.
