On January 7, 2025, Donald Trump held a press conference at Mar-a-Largo to announce a $20 billion investment by the DAMAC Group, a Middle Eastern real estate giant, to construct data centers across the United States. Hussain Sajwani, an Emirati billionaire and founder of the DAMAC Group, announced this at a press conference last Tuesday alongside Trump. The initiative focuses on regions like the Midwest and Sun Belt, which have received increased attention for their economic growth potential. Trump touted the deal as a win for American jobs and innovation, but the announcement has raised significant concerns about the implications of foreign-controlled data infrastructure.
What is alarming is that, due to data security concerns, TikTok may be banned in the United States unless purchased by an American company by mid-January 2025. Why is it okay for the UAE to control data centers, but TikTok must be banned because it is a foreign-owned and controlled company?
Even more alarming, very few mainstream media outlets are reporting on this story. A few, like ABC-affiliated Eyewitness News 7 in New York, provided the most information about the deal’s announcement.
Jess Anderson, a delegate in the Virginia House of Delegates, made a short video about this and raised some critical points about this deal and how it will likely not bring any positive economic impact to Americans.
Share this post