Amy Kremer, a Republican National Committee member and chairwoman of the "Humans First" organization, predicts that former President Donald Trump will reconsider his stance on the expansion of AI data centers. Kremer, a long-time Trump ally, believes that as Trump campaigns for Republicans ahead of the midterms, he will hear more from the American people about concerns regarding these developments.
Kremer stated that Trump is currently "only hearing one side of the story from big tech." She expressed hope that "he's going to hear more from the American people on the data center side of things" during his campaign appearances. She added, "I know the president, and his heart, and he would not like the way the Americans are being treated."
"Humans First" has introduced a new policy outline urging Trump and other Republicans to adopt measures that would give communities more control over data center development. The plan, obtained exclusively by Fox News Digital, advocates for local zoning and land-use processes to allow communities to approve or reject new data center projects. It also opposes the use of eminent domain for land acquisition for such facilities.
The proposed policy rejects what it terms "blank-check tax breaks" and subsidies, asserting that any financial incentives must be transparent and tied to enforceable community benefits. The group also calls for full transparency regarding data center projects before they are approved. Communities, according to the plan, should be informed about the end user, electricity demand, water usage, land requirements, infrastructure costs, tax incentives, job creation, and environmental impacts.
Further provisions in the plan address concerns about water usage and development on farmland, which "Humans First" describes as a "strategic American resource that should be protected." The organization also emphasizes the need to protect ratepayers, ensuring that families and small businesses do not face higher electricity bills. Instead, data centers should bear the full cost of the power generation, transmission, grid upgrades, and infrastructure they require.
Kremer drew a parallel between the regulation of fast food and AI technology, stating, "There are more regulations on a hot dog that you buy on a street corner in New York City than there are on these big tech companies with this technology." She clarified that "Humans First" is not against AI, technology, or data centers but advocates for greater public involvement. "We can lead on innovation, we absolutely can," Kremer said. "But that doesn't mean that it has to be on the backs of the American taxpayers."