On Wednesday, President Donald Trump, hedge fund billionaire Bill Ackman and entrepreneur Anthony Pompliano criticized New York’s decision to temporarily halt approvals for new large-scale data centers.
Trump, Hochul Clash Over Data Center Moratorium
Gov. Kathy Hochul (D-NY) on Tuesday signed an executive order placing a pause of up to one year on the construction of new data centers requiring 50 megawatts or more of power.
The decision makes New York the first state to impose such a statewide moratorium on large AI-focused facilities.
Trump responded on Truth Social, calling the policy a “terrible decision” that would drive investment, tax revenue and jobs to states that welcome data center development.
“One of the biggest Driving Forces in the Future for Jobs, are Data Centers,” Trump wrote, describing them as “Money Machines” for host states.
He argued companies are now likely to shift projects to states such as Texas, Florida, Alabama and Arizona, adding that “Both the Taxes and the Jobs amount to LIQUID GOLD!”
Trump also urged New York to reverse course “IMMEDIATELY,” warning that the U.S. should not risk losing AI leadership and emerging technologies “to China, and other countries.”
Hochul pushed back on X, writing, “If data centers are really ‘LIQUID GOLD,’ then New Yorkers deserve more than scraps.”
“We hit pause because the communities powering AI should share in its success,” she added. “Maybe that’s a novel concept in Washington. We call it doing our job.”
If data centers are really "LIQUID GOLD," then New Yorkers deserve more than scraps.
— Governor Kathy Hochul (@GovKathyHochul) July 15, 2026
We hit pause because the communities powering AI should share in its success.
Maybe that’s a novel concept in Washington. We call it doing our job. https://t.co/I6Fzi2xLdG
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Ackman, Pompliano Criticize Data Center Pause
Ackman echoed concerns about the broader AI race by sharing and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s (D-NY) post supporting Hochul’s decision.
“China is not putting moratoriums on data centers,” Ackman wrote. “The race for super intelligence needs to be won by the USA or our country and democracy will be at risk.”
China is not putting moratoriums on data centers. The race for super intelligence needs to be won by the USA or our country and democracy will be at risk. https://t.co/6KqrSJ5QHR
— Bill Ackman (@BillAckman) July 15, 2026
Earlier, Ocasio-Cortez thanked Hochul, saying a moratorium would give lawmakers time to establish “strong protections” and ensure AI “benefits all of us, not just a powerful few.”
Thank you for your leadership, @GovKathyHochul.
— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) July 14, 2026
A data center moratorium gives lawmakers time to put strong protections in place and guarantee AI benefits all of us, not just a powerful few. https://t.co/MlsU2knhhN
Pompliano also criticized the policy, calling it “about as dumb of a public policy as you could come up with” and arguing that officials should stop “getting in the way of technological progress.”
New York putting a moratorium on data centers is about as dumb of a public policy as you could come up with.
— Anthony Pompliano 🌪 (@APompliano) July 15, 2026
Most of these elected officials don’t even know how to use their cell phones.
We should put a moratorium on bureaucrats getting in the way of technological progress.
Record AI Data Center Investment Fuels Local Pushback
Data center lease commitments by U.S. tech companies surpassed $850 billion in the first quarter of 2026, setting a new record amid the accelerating AI infrastructure race.
Local opposition to AI data centers also intensified across the U.S. in the first quarter of 2026, delaying or blocking at least 75 projects worth about $130 billion.
A new study from Georgia Tech released last week found that while data centers generate economic benefits, those gains are unevenly distributed.
As per the study, metropolitan counties reap most of the rewards while many rural communities see only modest improvements despite hosting multibillion-dollar facilities.
Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.
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Image via Shutterstock/ Joshua Sukoff
