CREDIT : POOL VIA GETTY IMAGES
THE DATA CENTRE BOOM UNDER TRUMP
US data centre power consumption is projected to reach 35GW by 2030, more than doubling 2022 levels. Investment firm Blackstone forecasts over US$1tn in US data centre investments over the next five years, driven by AI computing demands.
The sector has caught Trump's attention. His administration's support includes expedited permits for billiondollar investors and potential nuclear power expansion to meet growing energy needs. DAMAC Properties has already pledged US$20bn in investment following Trump's election victory.
Vaidotas Šedys, Chief Risk Officer at Oxylabs, warns that this shift could turn Facebook, Instagram and Threads into “disinformation battlegrounds”, particularly as AI-generated fake news and deepfakes proliferate.
However, this growth faces challenges. The increasing power demands clash with emissions reduction goals, while semiconductor supply and manufacturing remain contentious issues in US-China relations.
Meanwhile, X owner Elon Musk, a close ally of Trump, has been appointed co-leader of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) advisory board, which is tasked with reducing regulations and promoting free speech online.
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March 2025