Donald Trump has criticised opponents to AI data centres, saying “they want to end up being backwards and poor”. In a post on Truth Social, the US president said: “If they want to be successful and rich, with far lower taxes and jobs all…
Page A9From§Eachthe coffee break edition — 1 September 2026
Trump lashes out at data center critics as Oklahoma blocks $17,125 records charge
As it ran on the front
I found the notes from Oklahoma—ah, here it is: the city can't charge $17,125.44 for a records request tied to a data center arrest, so the price tag gets blocked. At the same time, Trump lashes out at the critics of the data centers, calling them 'backwards and poor.'
I keep coming back to the number: $17,125.44. It's not round, it's not a fee—they said it's a cost, but the state says no. Trump says critics end up backwards and poor, but Oklahoma steps in to say the records can't cost that much. I've seen fees, I've seen charges, but a blocked bill for public records right as the president attacks the critics—well, that's a timing you don't see every day.…
…(cont) Excuse me, before you go—if Oklahoma blocks the charge and Trump calls out the critics, who gets the records and who gets the bill?
“Trump bullies the data center critics, while Oklahoma tells the city they can't charge $17,125 for records—when you ask the questions, they want you to pay for the privilege. Looks like the only thing getting protected is the bill.”
“Well, transparency is important—but not when it costs too much. Trump stands up for the data centers, and Oklahoma is just making sure taxpayers aren't overcharged. Did I say 'overcharged'? No, it's about responsible budgeting. Actually, it's all for the public good, if you think about it.”
The receipts
The the city tried to charge a farmer more than $17,000 for bodycam footage and records related to his arrest at a city council meeting.
This page is a back-issue: the story as it ran, receipts as they were. The current edition is at the front.