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On Wednesday, President Donald Trump, hedge fund billionaire Bill Ackman and entrepreneur Anthony Pompliano criticized New York's decision to temporarily halt approvals for new large-scale data centers.
Gov. Kathy Hochul (D-NY) on Tuesday signed an executive order placing a pause of up to one year on the construction of new data centers requiring 50 megawatts or more of power.
The decision makes New York the first state to impose such a statewide moratorium on large AI-focused facilities.
Trump responded on Truth Social, calling the policy a "terrible decision" that would drive investment, tax revenue and jobs to states that welcome data center development.
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"One of the biggest Driving Forces in the Future for Jobs, are Data Centers," Trump wrote, describing them as "Money Machines" for host states.
He argued companies are now likely to shift projects to states such as Texas, Florida, Alabama and Arizona, adding that "Both the Taxes and the Jobs amount to LIQUID GOLD!"
Trump also urged New York to reverse course "IMMEDIATELY," warning that the U.S. should not risk losing AI leadership and emerging technologies "to China, and other countries."
Hochul pushed back on X, writing, "If data centers are really 'LIQUID GOLD,' then New Yorkers deserve more than scraps."
"We hit pause because the communities powering AI should share in its success," she added. "Maybe that's a novel concept in Washington. We call it doing our job."
If data centers are really "LIQUID GOLD," then New Yorkers deserve more than scraps.We hit pause because the communities powering AI should share in its success.Maybe that's a novel concept in Washington. We call it doing our job. https://t.co/I6Fzi2xLdG
— Governor Kathy Hochul (@GovKathyHochul) July 15, 2026
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Ackman echoed concerns about the broader AI race by sharing and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez's (D-NY) post supporting Hochul's decision.
"China is not putting moratoriums on data centers," Ackman wrote. "The race for super intelligence needs to be won by the USA or our country and democracy will be at risk."
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