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Kevin O'Leary's Utah Data Center Sparks Local Backlash

Kevin O'Leary's Utah Data Center Sparks Local Backlash

First seen 1 Oct 2026, 19:05 UTC • •
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ThreatCluster AI
ThreatCluster •October 1, 2026 at 21:05 UTC
  • •Kevin O'Leary's data center project faced strong local opposition due to lack of transparency.
  • •O'Leary's claims of Chinese funding for critics led to a defamation lawsuit and Fox News apology.
  • •The controversy reflects broader issues of tech infrastructure development clashing with local democracy.

Kevin O'Leary's ambitious plan to build the world's largest data center, named Wonder Valley, in Utah has faced significant opposition from local residents. The project, covering 40,000 acres and requiring nine gigawatts of power, was fast-tracked without adequate community engagement, leading to a political uproar. O'Leary controversially suggested that critics of the project were funded by Chinese agents, prompting backlash and a defamation lawsuit. Fox News later apologized for airing his claims without evidence. The situation highlights the growing tension between tech infrastructure projects and local governance, as residents mobilize against perceived threats to their community.

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Timeline

2026-05-11
O'Leary claims critics are Chinese agents
Kevin O'Leary appeared on Fox Business alleging that his critics are funded by China, leading to significant backlash.
Theverge
2026-06-20
Fox News issues an apology
Fox News apologized for airing O'Leary's unfounded claims about his critics being linked to China.
Theverge
Recent
Local community mobilizes against the project
Residents of Utah have organized protests and political actions against the Wonder Valley data center due to concerns over its impact.
Theverge

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Common questions

What is the scale of the data center project?
The Wonder Valley project is planned to cover 40,000 acres and generate nine gigawatts of power.
What legal actions have been taken?
A defamation lawsuit has been filed against O'Leary for his claims about critics being funded by Chinese agents.
How are local residents responding?
Local residents are actively protesting and organizing against the data center due to concerns over its impact on the community.