Trump called for data centers to pay host communities or residents a financial dividend.
Why it matters: The proposal could shape local negotiations and political debate as communities weigh data-center projects and rising electricity demand. It is separate from the White House's voluntary Ratepayer Protection Pledge, which is not a binding federal program.
- Trump said data centers should pay communities or residents a "dividend" and "MAKE DEALS" to win support.
- The proposal includes no announced dollar amount, eligibility standard, payment schedule, tax treatment or enforcement mechanism.
- The White House says more than 300 listed participants have joined its voluntary Ratepayer Protection Pledge.
- The White House lists 23 governors, seven hyperscalers or AI companies, more than 250 utilities and cooperatives, and 46 data-center developers; the categories overlap or total more than 326 entries.
President Donald Trump said data-center companies should share financial benefits with host communities or residents, calling the payment a "dividend" in a Truth Social post published on October 21, 2026.
"If companies want to make their Data Centers popular, pay the community, and/or individuals within the community, a ‘dividend,’" Trump wrote. He added that facilities that were unpopular had become popular after financial agreements and urged developers to "MAKE DEALS" to get projects built. CNBC's report on Trump's data-center dividend proposal described the post.
The post did not define the dividend. It is unclear whether Trump envisions direct household payments, local tax or infrastructure contributions, utility credits or negotiated community-benefit agreements. As of October 21, 2026, the materials reviewed did not identify a federal fact sheet, executive order, proposed rule or legislation establishing the program.
Trump also called for new, large data centers to generate their own electricity and give or sell excess power to local communities or the grid. The post presented that as a requirement, but the materials reviewed identified no legal authority making it an existing federal requirement.
The White House's Ratepayer Protection Pledge is described as a voluntary public commitment, not a federal rule. It calls for developers and hyperscalers to procure new power, pay for delivery infrastructure, negotiate separate rate structures and invest in local jobs and workforce development.
The White House says more than 300 listed participants have joined, including 23 governors, seven large hyperscalers or AI companies, more than 250 utilities and cooperatives, and 46 data-center developers. Those categories represent more than 326 category entries before accounting for possible overlap, and the materials do not explain how the overall participant figure was counted.
The proposal comes as data centers face opposition over electricity prices, farmland and water supplies. In Ohio, Trump argued that data centers should benefit local communities and warned that shutting them down could send projects to China. The Associated Press report on Trump's Ohio comments covered that dispute.
By the numbers
- More than 250 - Utilities and cooperatives listed by the White House as participants in its pledge
- More than 326 - Combined category entries from the White House's listed governors, hyperscalers or AI companies, utilities and cooperatives, and data-center developers; categories may overlap
- More than 300 - Overall listed participants cited by the White House
Yes, but: Trump announced no implementation details, and the materials reviewed identified no federal legal authority making the electricity-generation language an existing requirement.