On September 2, 2026, reports emerged that the Trump administration secured Supreme Court approval for a new White House ballroom with the condition that the site also host a data center. The decision comes as communities nationwide protest data center construction near homes. The cartoon depicts Trump dismissing resident complaints while an aide delivers the conditional news. It highlights tensions between executive ambitions and local opposition to large-scale tech infrastructure. The piece argues that such projects prioritize political vanity over community concerns.
Residents in a suburban neighborhood protested plans for an ICE detention center near their homes. The facility was replaced by a data center, prompting cheers from locals who had opposed the detention site. The editorial highlights community pushback against immigration enforcement infrastructure and the unexpected outcome favoring commercial development instead.
The cartoon by John Darkow depicts construction workers surveying expansive sites for new data centers, with one declaring plans to build from the current location to the horizon. In the adjacent panel, workers on a ladder atop a massive data center building announce plans to place another facility directly on top. The image responds to the ongoing surge in data center development fueled by artificial intelligence demands. As of mid-2026, tech companies continue rapid expansion of facilities that require significant land, electricity and water resources. Local governments face increasing pressure to manage zoning, infrastructure strain and environmental impacts from these projects.
A large sign announces an AI data center on the site. Two men react with concern, one asking how to block access while the other suggests querying ChatGPT on his phone for a solution. The scene highlights the rapid spread of artificial intelligence infrastructure and the reflexive turn to AI tools even when questioning their presence.
