Swamp Notes The AI revolt in Maga-land
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Mar 20, 2026 Joe Miller, Washington correspondent for the Financial Times known for on‑the‑ground U.S. political reporting, recounts a Missouri road trip. He explores local backlash to fast‑tracked AI data centres. He discusses fears over secrecy, water use and noise. He describes polling showing Trump voters want slower AI development and the state‑federal tensions over regulation.
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Local Discovery Sparked Grassroots Backlash
- Residents in Independence discovered a $6.6bn AI data center project only after construction plans surfaced online.
- Lisa Garrett found the project while waiting during her father's surgery and realised the planned site was on her road, sparking local outrage.
AI Seen As Coastal Disruption Threatening Local Life
- Missouri voters, including many Trump supporters, see AI as a disruptive force coming from coastal elites that could cost jobs and undermine local communities.
- Concerns span job losses, children turning to chatbots, and the church losing its community role, creating unusually intense bipartisan backlash.
Majority Of Trump Voters Favor Slower, Regulated AI
- Polling found about 60% of 2024 Trump voters worry about the speed of AI development and nearly 80% want more regulation.
- An NBC poll showed AI is broadly unpopular nationwide, amplifying political concern in Washington about electoral backlash.