Howard Lutnick says ‘data centers don’t use water,’ and the nationwide opposition is apparently ‘propaganda by our adversaries to try to slow us down’

Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick claimed on Wednesday that data centers do not use water, a statement that contradicts recent industry data and ongoing public concern. During an interview with CNBC, Lutnick dismissed the environmental impact of these massive facilities while framing the opposition as a coordinated effort by foreign powers to hinder American technological progress.

Lutnick told CNBC that “One of my favorite things is when people talk about data centers using water. The No. 1 product in America that uses water is cattle.” He doubled down on this perspective by stating, “I mean, data centers don’t use water,” and characterized the pushback as “propaganda by our adversaries to try to slow us down.”