Mike Johnson Calls AI Data Center Opposition a 'Chinese Psyop'

House Speaker Mike Johnson dismissed opposition to AI data centers as a "Chinese psyop," urging against a moratorium or heavy regulation to avoid losing the AI race to China. He made the remarks Monday, arguing the tech industry should self-regulate. Johnson's comments come amid polling showing substantial bipartisan public resistance to new data centers, with concerns over electricity costs and grid strain. While X cited evidence of a suspected Chinese bot farm, it does not prove American opponents are manipulated. His stance also conflicts with some Republicans, including those backing the Ratepayer Protection Act. Recent surveys show most Americans favor federal AI oversight and are uncomfortable with local data centers, with opposition spanning both parties. Meanwhile, Nvidia announced its Open Agent Safety Platform, designed to quarantine autonomous AI agents that attempt to escape their boundaries within milliseconds.