Egan-Jones: Bipartisan Backing Sustains AI Buildout Despite Backlash
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NEW YORK – October 19, 2026 -- The four largest hyperscalers plan more than $700 billion of capital spending this year, and Egan-Jones Ratings expects mainstream support from both US parties to keep the AI buildout going despite public opposition to local data centers.
Gallup poll shows 71% of Americans oppose a local AI data center
Egan-Jones cites Gallup data showing 71% of Americans oppose a local AI data center, against 53% for a nuclear plant. Its commentary draws a parallel with drug makers, which have stayed unpopular for years yet kept bipartisan backing while leading all other industries in federal lobbying almost every quarter since 2010.
AI has also gained ground at the ballot box. The pro-AI super PAC network Leading the Future has raised $140 million for the midterms.