Trump says Microsoft will make changes to ensure consumers don’t pay for power used in AI buildout
In a move targeting consumer costs ahead of the midterm elections, President Donald Trump declared Monday that his administration has secured a commitment from Microsoft to prevent Americans from bearing the burden of rising electricity bills linked to the construction of power-intensive AI data centers.
"I never want Americans to pay higher Electricity bills because of Data Centers," President Trump stated in a post on Truth Social. "Therefore, my Administration is working with major American Technology Companies to secure their commitment to the American People."
The announcement positions the administration as actively mediating between rapid technological expansion and household economic pressures. "First up is Microsoft, who my team has been working with, and which will make major changes beginning this week to ensure that Americans don’t 'pick up the tab' for their POWER consumption," Trump added, suggesting other tech firms would follow with similar pledges.
This initiative is part of a broader push by the Trump administration to address cost-of-living concerns, following recent measures such as a proposed "warrior dividend" for U.S. soldiers and a directive to purchase mortgage bonds aimed at lowering rates.
The focus on data center energy consumption comes as tech giants significantly ramp up capital expenditures to fuel the artificial intelligence boom, a trend raising alarms about grid demand and utility costs. Electricity prices for U.S. consumers were up 6% year-over-year as of last August, with data center-heavy states feeling particular strain.
Microsoft, which has not yet publicly commented on the announcement, has previously acknowledged its responsibility in managing the local impact of its infrastructure. "I believe we’re succeeding, in managing this issue well, so that you all don’t have to pay more for electricity because of our presence," company Vice Chair Brad Smith told a Wisconsin town hall in September.
The company's sensitivity to community concerns was recently demonstrated when it withdrew plans for a data center in Caledonia, Wisconsin, following local opposition, even as it proceeds with other projects.
While specific details of Microsoft's "major changes" remain undisclosed, the announcement signals a political effort to align the nation's AI infrastructure build-out with a promise of stable household utility costs—a balancing act that will be closely watched as other tech firms face similar expectations.
