Data-centre backlash helps Democrats win US Congress

Democrats won control of the United States Congress in the midterm elections, a result Euronews reported alongside the backlash against AI data centres that reached the ballot box.

Euronews said the vote followed anger over the server farms, and it cited Elon Musk, a Republican backer, who posted: "data centers in space looking pretty appealing right now."

Reuters described the outcome in a headline as "Trump's midterm drubbing" and said it demonstrated the power of data-centre opponents. A separate Reuters markets column, Morning Bid, said investors feared a "blue wave" would "drown data centres."

France 24 reported that more than 5,000 data centres are now scattered across the US, some near urban centres, generating noise pollution and consuming large amounts of electricity. President Donald Trump has long defended construction of the facilities, which France 24 described as essential to big tech companies. Voters, including many Republicans, say they feel betrayed by their government, the broadcaster reported.

France 24 headlined its report "Like a cancer", and built it around residents living close to the sites.

The reports did not give seat totals for the new Congress, the size of the swing or the margin of the Democratic majority. Nor did they say which data-centre projects, if any, would now be blocked.

The Straits Times carried the Reuters headline and standfirst without change, presenting the result as a demonstration of the political strength of residents opposed to the centres.

Data centres have become a fixed part of the US power grid, built to run the computing needed for artificial intelligence. France 24 reported that the facilities draw large amounts of electricity and that some sit near built-up areas, where residents hear them.