The next target for price control is "electricity prices"! Trump says "Tech giants must bear the power costs of data centers, and Microsoft will make changes this week."

U.S. President Trump has set price control targets on the power sector, demanding that tech giants bear the full cost of building data centers rather than passing it on to ordinary consumers.

On Monday local time, Trump stated on Truth Social that the U.S. government has begun talks with Microsoft on this issue, emphasizing that although data centers are “crucial” to the boom in artificial intelligence, large tech companies building these facilities must “pay their own way.” He revealed Microsoft would make “major changes,” but did not provide specific details.

U.S. electricity price increases have already exceeded overall inflation, intensifying voter dissatisfaction about the cost of essentials like energy. The rapid construction of data centers is widely seen as one of the reasons behind rising U.S. electricity prices, making the subject a key talking point for Democrats in the November midterm elections.

Brad Smith, Microsoft’s Vice Chair and President, plans to make a statement at an event in Washington on Tuesday; in a preview, the company raised fundamental questions regarding the sharing of AI infrastructure costs.

Rising Electricity Prices Spark Voter Discontent

The increase in U.S. electricity prices has already surpassed the pace of overall inflation, heightening public complaints about the cost of energy and other basic necessities. The rapid construction of data centers is widely believed to be one reason for the price hike, though not the only one.

This issue has become a political focal point. Democrats have made prices and inflation a core topic for the November midterm elections. Trump plans to visit Ford’s factory in Michigan on Tuesday and deliver a speech in Detroit, promoting his tariff and manufacturing policies to ease voter anxiety over the economy.

Trump Administration Pressures Tech Giants

In his social media post, Trump made clear the government is ensuring that consumers will not have to foot the bill for “massive data centers.” This stance directly targets the tech sector’s infrastructure expansion amid the AI boom, requiring companies to bear corresponding electricity costs rather than passing them on to everyday users through higher prices.

Trump said Microsoft will make changes, but did not reveal specific measures or a timeline.

Microsoft Vice Chair and President Brad Smith plans to make an announcement at Tuesday’s event in Washington. Before Trump’s post, Microsoft stated in the event announcement: “As America approaches its 250th anniversary, the nation is entering a new era of opportunity shaped by the power of AI. This moment raises fundamental questions about the future we are building together—who benefits from AI, what are its potential impacts, and who should bear the costs of key AI infrastructure?” The statement implies Microsoft is already considering the issue of sharing AI infrastructure costs.

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